Rise
by Guerilla Maab

Guerilla Maab - Rise is another album that comes dangerously close to being "one man show", but after all feels much more balanced. The production may appear "cheap"- especially some of the hooks are for lack of a better word highly questionable- and you' ll hardly find anything super exciting or groundbreaking, but it's obstinately honest, it doesn't pretend to be anything else, just a proud product of the South, something you can't help but at the very least respect - and if you have the slightest preference towards that kind of sound, you 'll find it irresistibly infectious. The difference between Z-Ro's and everyone else's rapping is not as striking, the high level of team chemistry more than makes up for any lack of individual quality (no one is even remotely close to bad, I would rate everyone as above average, but being compared to Z-Ro isn't gonna do you any favors) everyone has understood his role and sticks with his stengths contributing to the overall sound/atmosphere. Lyrics are one of the strongest points of the album, realistic, down to earth and relatable, once again everyone has a part (Z-Ro "Give me a pad and a pen, and I'll let the lesson begin The only way to survive my life is straight up livin' in sin Keep on gettin' in where you fittin' in, but in case you get stuck Better keep your piece off safety, you got these niggas fucked up No matter how many times I get on my knees and pray, it don't change Duckin' bullets, and the woman I love keep playing games with my brain", Taz "I wish I was the one with the top down In a chromed out Benz, with all my friends Bank account, with unlimited ends Gripping, I ain't sweating the rent The only problem is, I'm a FED fella With no intentions on, taking a loss And everytime I see the law, my heart pauses", Trae "It's forever, Guerilla until I die When I'm dead and gone, mama don't you cry I know, it's too much pain involved But you gotta be the one, to keep my alive They wanna see me leave, but they better believe I'm not going out, without a fight", Dougie D "Thank the Lord, for all my success Been struggling striving, trying to do my best No more canned sardine, just eight cuisines Its been a long run, running from the law Got a new pair, of shoes on feet And I owe it to the Southside, cause it's been lovely Everybody wanna run with me, and popping trunks all bubbly"). The length can seem intimidating at first, but I had no problem whatsoever, it's surprisingly consistent, it all flows extremely smoothly. In fact, I instantly replayed it once it was over, addicting stuff.