Time for some more japanese Rap CD Reviews, folks!
I got quite a few Reviews in my pipeline, because recently i came across so many great Albums, it would be really sad if you would miss them, so enought with the chit-chat, let's get right to it!
I got quite a few Reviews in my pipeline, because recently i came across so many great Albums, it would be really sad if you would miss them, so enought with the chit-chat, let's get right to it!
If you just take a quick glance at the cover you already know that you are in for some classic, crisp, underground Rap aka exactly what the GIANT loves. Let's take a closer listen to this.
Artist KILLahBEEN
Album Name (Japanese) 公開
Album Name (Romaji) KOKAI
Release date 2013/02/13
Label Pヴァイン・レコード / APOLLO RECORDS
Producers alled, 16Flip, Dai mikoto, SIR CORE, PUNPEE, DJ TRIPPiN', MAXIRIES, FZA & MOSSCOHIBA aka COBA 5000, benima
Tracks 12
Label Pヴァイン・レコード / APOLLO RECORDS
Producers alled, 16Flip, Dai mikoto, SIR CORE, PUNPEE, DJ TRIPPiN', MAXIRIES, FZA & MOSSCOHIBA aka COBA 5000, benima
Tracks 12
Features -.
Total Runtime ~1 Hour 8 Minutes
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/KOKAI-Killahbeen/dp/B00ATD7VP0/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_1/192-5681075-6084612
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/KOKAI-Killahbeen/dp/B00ATD7VP0/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_1/192-5681075-6084612
Tracklist
1. 公開 (prod. alled)
The Intro is just a weird experiment with some live vocals, drums and pretty much everything that was on "alled's" laptop, at least it sounds like that.
It's pretty bizzare, but, if you ask me, a good introduction to the Album and "KILLahBEEN" himself; it's dark, criptic and super underground-ish.
It's pretty bizzare, but, if you ask me, a good introduction to the Album and "KILLahBEEN" himself; it's dark, criptic and super underground-ish.
Runtime 2:44
2. 2012 (prod. 16Flip)
This is the first Track where you actually hear "KILLahBEEN." But seriously: The Beat.
Just what i said in the beginning: Simple and crisp, KILLahBEEN s flow is spot on and his voice fits perfectly with the dark baseline.
There are also some old-school vocals mixed in the chorus that reminds you of the golden age of american gangsta Rap. A great Track!
Just what i said in the beginning: Simple and crisp, KILLahBEEN s flow is spot on and his voice fits perfectly with the dark baseline.
There are also some old-school vocals mixed in the chorus that reminds you of the golden age of american gangsta Rap. A great Track!
Runtime 5:52
Rating ★★★★★ 5/5
3. KILLah Tune (prod. Dai mikoto)
You expect gangsta Rap, def Beats and awesome technique on the Mic from the MC if you look at the cover and KILLahBEEN continues to give you exactly what you want on this Track.
He also drops a line in this track, that i just totally love:
"CHEAPなPOPじゃない、HIPHOP!"
Which means "I don't do Cheap Pop, i do HIPHOP!"
The Chorus is also great. It's simple, but KILLahBEEN's deep voice makes it memorable.
He also drops a line in this track, that i just totally love:
"CHEAPなPOPじゃない、HIPHOP!"
Which means "I don't do Cheap Pop, i do HIPHOP!"
The Chorus is also great. It's simple, but KILLahBEEN's deep voice makes it memorable.
Runtime 4:25
Rating ★★★★★ 5/5
4. Supah Slammin' (prod. alled)
Ah f*** me! This guy! I can't say much more other than: "Another deep, underground Beat and KILLahBEEN flows on this one like a beast." I could copy+paste this since Track 2.
The Chorus is also comparable to the previous Track: His deep voice prevails and the way he flows in the verses is so flawless, it's just astonishing.
It also has a bit of a traditional instrument constantly playing in the background, which not only helps underlining his b-boy image, but which also just sounds awesome and you probably know how much i love traditional japanese instruments combined with HipHop beats.
The Chorus is also comparable to the previous Track: His deep voice prevails and the way he flows in the verses is so flawless, it's just astonishing.
It also has a bit of a traditional instrument constantly playing in the background, which not only helps underlining his b-boy image, but which also just sounds awesome and you probably know how much i love traditional japanese instruments combined with HipHop beats.
Runtime 3:26
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
5. Ghetto Blastah (prod. SIR CORE) (SKIT)
-.
Runtime 4:26
6. Moonstah (prod. PUNPEE)
This one is a bit more up-beat than the Beats before. It has a new-school baseline but, again a traditional instrument playing in the back (it's a shamisen, if i'm not mistaken.)
Well. I'm usually not really a fan of PUNPEE and his productions, but this Track is pretty okay. A little bit too newschool-ish for me, but, because of KILLahBEEN's technique, still prety good.
Well. I'm usually not really a fan of PUNPEE and his productions, but this Track is pretty okay. A little bit too newschool-ish for me, but, because of KILLahBEEN's technique, still prety good.
Runtime 4:08
Rating ★★★☆☆ 3/5
7. DON・BAZOOOKA 20007 (prod. DJ TRIPPiN') (SKIT)
-.
Runtime 1:04
8. Parallel (prod. alled)
Turn up your bass and you get blown away by this beat.
In my opinion, this track is perfect for this time of the year: (autumn) The baseline makes this beat sound rather dark, but there are some up-beat instruments playing in the back.
And hey, you can easily hear that this is totally KILLahBEEN s type of beat, he is killing it on this one, just like in the previous tracks.
In my opinion, this track is perfect for this time of the year: (autumn) The baseline makes this beat sound rather dark, but there are some up-beat instruments playing in the back.
And hey, you can easily hear that this is totally KILLahBEEN s type of beat, he is killing it on this one, just like in the previous tracks.
Runtime 3:31
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
9. 二面性 ( prod . dai mikoto )
Here, we have the same receip as in the beginning: Simple beats that keep you head in motion, while KILLahBEEN shows you how appropriate mic work sounds like. Even though i would say that he sounds execeptionally awesome on this Track, because he also does some slight double-timing on this.
The Chorus is, once again, not really memorable, but you may have realized it by now: His strength aren't the choruses, but the way he flows on the verses.
The Chorus is, once again, not really memorable, but you may have realized it by now: His strength aren't the choruses, but the way he flows on the verses.
Runtime 4:08
Rating ★★★★★ 5/5
10. 囚 [Undah Parole’s Demo] ( prod . MAXIRIES )
No. I didn't make a mistake with the runtime. This Track IS 26 Minutes and 42 Seconds long! And he is rapping the whole time. And i actually have the feeling, that KILLahBEEN recorded this session in one go, because as soon as the track starts, he doesn't stop flowing.
Yes, there are some parts, where he plays some vocals for 5 or 10 seconds or where he let's the beat go for 5 or 10 seconds, but aside from that he raps for 26 Minutes and 42 Seconds!!!
And it's not like he lets' the beat fade out for 2 minutes at the end, no no, he fades out together with the Beat!
The Beat is basically the same throughout the entire song, so you can imagine that you have to have one hell of a flow to go on for 26 Minutes and... well... seriously: Just listen to this Album and especially to this Song. KILLahBEEN's talent on the mic shines the brightest on this Track. I have to say that flow-wise KILLahBEEN is my absolute #1 with this Track. Hands down.
Yes, there are some parts, where he plays some vocals for 5 or 10 seconds or where he let's the beat go for 5 or 10 seconds, but aside from that he raps for 26 Minutes and 42 Seconds!!!
And it's not like he lets' the beat fade out for 2 minutes at the end, no no, he fades out together with the Beat!
The Beat is basically the same throughout the entire song, so you can imagine that you have to have one hell of a flow to go on for 26 Minutes and... well... seriously: Just listen to this Album and especially to this Song. KILLahBEEN's talent on the mic shines the brightest on this Track. I have to say that flow-wise KILLahBEEN is my absolute #1 with this Track. Hands down.
Runtime 26:42
Rating ★★★★★ 5/5
11. 再生 ( prod . FZA & MOSSCOHIBA aka COBA 5000 ) (SKIT)
-.
Runtime 2:56
12. Night Run High ( prod . benima )
.After you heard probably one of the best mic works in history of rap, KILLahBEEN gave us the chance to come down and reminice of what we just heard.
Then the last track of the Album hits.
The whole album has been pretty slow-medicore pace kind of Beats and this one, has a more faster pace and KILLahBEEN shows us, that he also has no problems going with it.
His voice is a bit misplaced though, his voice is rather deep and the beat is rather "open" (hard to explain) so it doesn't sound as crisp as the tracks before, but nevertheless, his technique is still superior.
Then the last track of the Album hits.
The whole album has been pretty slow-medicore pace kind of Beats and this one, has a more faster pace and KILLahBEEN shows us, that he also has no problems going with it.
His voice is a bit misplaced though, his voice is rather deep and the beat is rather "open" (hard to explain) so it doesn't sound as crisp as the tracks before, but nevertheless, his technique is still superior.
Runtime 4:46
Rating ★★★★☆ 4/5
Final Rating
Most Favorite Track
10. 囚 [Undah Parole’s Demo] ( prod . MAXIRIES )
10. 囚 [Undah Parole’s Demo] ( prod . MAXIRIES )
Other favorite Tracks
2. 2012 (prod. 16Flip)
3. KILLah Tune (prod. Dai mikoto)
4. Supah Slammin' (prod. alled)
9. 二面性 ( prod . dai mikoto )
3. KILLah Tune (prod. Dai mikoto)
4. Supah Slammin' (prod. alled)
9. 二面性 ( prod . dai mikoto )
Artwork ★★★★★ 5/5
I already said it: The artwork totally displays what you get: You expect dark, underground beats with a lot of deep baselines and you expect a rapper with great technique and a bad ass voice.
To be honest: When i saw the album cover it reminded me of the artwork from BRON-K's Album "奇妙頂来相模富士" where i also expected great Beats, great lyrics and a great technique on the mic. But what i got with BRON-K's album was an autotune f*** fest, but that's a different story.
KILLahBEEN displays a dark, underground atmosphere with his artwork and you get exactly that.
To be honest: When i saw the album cover it reminded me of the artwork from BRON-K's Album "奇妙頂来相模富士" where i also expected great Beats, great lyrics and a great technique on the mic. But what i got with BRON-K's album was an autotune f*** fest, but that's a different story.
KILLahBEEN displays a dark, underground atmosphere with his artwork and you get exactly that.
Flow ★★★★★ 5/5
He is the best. I have listened to a lot of american oldschool rap, but for the past 3 or 4 years i've been only listening to japanese rap, so i have a pretty big knowledge when it comes to techniques on the mic and i can honestly say, that KILLahBEEN is probably the rapper with the best flow i have ever heard.
Hell, he raps for 26 minutes and he flows like a madman. The Beat doesn't really change, you have a slight differnce in the background music, but that's it. He entertains you with 26 Minutes of raw flowing, which might not be the taste for everyone, but if you enjoy a simple beat and if you really care about lyrics and/or mic work, then this is the track for you. He has so much to stay and such a great technique on this track alone. I don't wanna downplay the other tracks by any means, all Beats are rather slow to mediocre paced, but his rather deep voice and the way he presents it, is just so crisp, it's just not even fair.
So if you hear some guys fanboy over some whack american newcomer, just make them listen to KILLahBEEN There is no better mic technician than him, in my opinion.
Hell, he raps for 26 minutes and he flows like a madman. The Beat doesn't really change, you have a slight differnce in the background music, but that's it. He entertains you with 26 Minutes of raw flowing, which might not be the taste for everyone, but if you enjoy a simple beat and if you really care about lyrics and/or mic work, then this is the track for you. He has so much to stay and such a great technique on this track alone. I don't wanna downplay the other tracks by any means, all Beats are rather slow to mediocre paced, but his rather deep voice and the way he presents it, is just so crisp, it's just not even fair.
So if you hear some guys fanboy over some whack american newcomer, just make them listen to KILLahBEEN There is no better mic technician than him, in my opinion.
Beats ★★★★★ 5/5
The Beats are great. The first half of the album is dark, deep and ghetto-ish, then we have some tracks who are a bit more up-beat and newschool-ish. So there is a bit of everything for every HipHop and Rap fan, but most of the Tracks really center around KILLahBEEN's flow.
The dark, ghetto beats kinda overshadow the up-beat ones, but i, personally prefer those kind of beats, because those deep beats feature KILLahBEEN's deep voice way better.
But overall, the baselines, the traditional japanese instruments he is using on some tracks, the drums, they are top-notch.
The dark, ghetto beats kinda overshadow the up-beat ones, but i, personally prefer those kind of beats, because those deep beats feature KILLahBEEN's deep voice way better.
But overall, the baselines, the traditional japanese instruments he is using on some tracks, the drums, they are top-notch.
Choruses ★★★☆☆ 3/5
KILLahBEEN is an awesome mic technician. But the thing that lasts after you've heard an Album or a couple of Tracks are the choruses and this is KILLahBEEN's weakness: His choruses are weak.
There is not one track on this album where the chorus is really memorable and that's because he is basically using the same "format" for every chorus:
He is rapping the chorus twice, he takes those two audio tracks, he puts the one above the other. Done. With this, his voice goes even more into your eardrums, which is good, but the choruses aren't really memorable. The ones for "KIllah Tune" and "Supah Slammin'" go into your ear pretty quick, but only for as long as the Track is running.
But i have to add: The Beat on "KIllah Tune" OH MYYY!
There is not one track on this album where the chorus is really memorable and that's because he is basically using the same "format" for every chorus:
He is rapping the chorus twice, he takes those two audio tracks, he puts the one above the other. Done. With this, his voice goes even more into your eardrums, which is good, but the choruses aren't really memorable. The ones for "KIllah Tune" and "Supah Slammin'" go into your ear pretty quick, but only for as long as the Track is running.
But i have to add: The Beat on "KIllah Tune" OH MYYY!
Features ☆☆☆☆☆ -/5
Another thing that i respect KILLahBEEN for: He has NO features on the entire Album.
Lots of japanese rappers have a shit load of features on their albums and sometimes you think "Yeah, that is nice and good, but i bought the Album to hear that exact artist and not 20 other ones."
KILLahBEEN goes solo for the entire album. That way he doesn't have to go a style he isn't used to and you get to hear more of his great work on the mic. Respect!
Lots of japanese rappers have a shit load of features on their albums and sometimes you think "Yeah, that is nice and good, but i bought the Album to hear that exact artist and not 20 other ones."
KILLahBEEN goes solo for the entire album. That way he doesn't have to go a style he isn't used to and you get to hear more of his great work on the mic. Respect!
Overall Rating ★★★★★ 5/5
Oldschool Rap at it's finest. Up until now 公開 is without the shadow of a doubt my favorite album 2013 and KILLahBEEN is without the shadow of a doubt my favorite MC of all time (in terms of mic work, i still prefer CUEZERO overall.)
The dark, underground beats combined with his deep voice and his really, really, really far superior skills on the mic are something that NO ONE who is interested in HipHop and/or Rap should miss.
If you love great lyrics and/or if you enjoy listening to a guy that flows like a canyon, then you need to buy this, it is worth every cent, trust me. It might sound like i'm fanboying like crazy, but that's because i heard this album, i heard his insane mic work and i want you to have the same experience.
So everyone who is a fan of crisp beats and just insane mic skills: Get this album. No features, no bullspit, just 1 Hour of pure underground goodness, 1 Hour of KILLahBEEN There is no one who is more HipHop and Rap than him. Period.
And as a little teaser, i want to share a short mix from KILLahBEEN s album as seen on YouTube: (be aware that not all tracks are previewed in the video)
The dark, underground beats combined with his deep voice and his really, really, really far superior skills on the mic are something that NO ONE who is interested in HipHop and/or Rap should miss.
If you love great lyrics and/or if you enjoy listening to a guy that flows like a canyon, then you need to buy this, it is worth every cent, trust me. It might sound like i'm fanboying like crazy, but that's because i heard this album, i heard his insane mic work and i want you to have the same experience.
So everyone who is a fan of crisp beats and just insane mic skills: Get this album. No features, no bullspit, just 1 Hour of pure underground goodness, 1 Hour of KILLahBEEN There is no one who is more HipHop and Rap than him. Period.
And as a little teaser, i want to share a short mix from KILLahBEEN s album as seen on YouTube: (be aware that not all tracks are previewed in the video)
I also just uploaded a Video with my favorite Songs from his Album on my YouTube Channel:
Here are some samples from amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B-%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%BB%E3%83%93%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3/dp/B00ATD7VP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379878532&sr=8-1&keywords=%E5%85%AC%E9%96%8B+KIllahBEEN
Just scroll down and listen to the samples for "Killah Tune" "2012" and "囚" That Beat and flow is so def.
And here is his Music Video to "Night Run High":
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