The Brainstream Mixtape: Redefining the term 'half assed'...
Written: Jul 13 '04 (Updated Dec 25 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Four good songs.
Cons: Everything else.
The Bottom Line: Read the review...
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| mcheadcase's Full Review: The Brainstream EP - Canibus Movies |
Written on 7/13/04 but slightly updated on 11/18/04
When Canibus first got on the scene in the mid 90s, he got on a bunch of mixtapes to get his name out. In fact, one of his most famous freestyles was included on a DJ Clue Mixtape ("I speak at frequences doggs would have trouble hearing", etc.). So, Canibus returned to the Mixtape scene in Febuary of 2003 (sort of) by releasing "The Brainstream", a mixtape designed to hold fans off until he released his fifth album, "Rip The Jacker". Now his other bonus release "My Name is Nobody" was decent, could this be the same? Only one way to find out:
1. The Brainstream (0 Stars)
2. Got Bitches? (0 Stars)
3. Horsemen Enforcements feat. Ras Kass and Kurupt (2 Stars)
4. Here 4 Free (5 Stars)
5. Microphone Meticulousness (0 Stars)
6. I Can U Cant (0 Stars)
7. U Didn't Care (Remix) (5 Stars)
8. How Many Emcees (5 Stars)
9. Falster Ego (4 1/2 Stars)
10. Outro (NOT RATED)
In mixtape fashion, Bis used mainstream beats to spit over for most of the tracks. The problem is, they were mixed HORRIBLY. Bis sounds totally off beat. Dont get me wrong, the lyrics are decent, but without an on-beat flow, the tracks sound amaturish. Not only that, but his lyrics arent even the best that hes ever done. Some of them are on some semi commercial shit, like "Got Bitches", which talks about picking up women and battling. The same goes for "The Brainstream", "Microphone Meticulousness", and "I Can, U Cant". And you might be wondering, why did you give "Horsemen Enforcements" a low score if it wasnt off beat? Well heres a couple of reasons: 1) The beat was weak. And more importantly, BIS DOESNT EVEN RAP ON THIS. Why did is this track on a CANIBUS mixtape when Bis doesnt even appear on the song? Thats just lazyness man. And besides, Ras Kass and Kurupt spit some played out Gangsta shit, which just sounds boring when you listen to it.
But dont get me wrong, there are still some good songs on this mixtape. For one, we got "Here 4 Free". This is the last thing you'd expect Bis to do: a love song twords Free of BET's 106 and Park. The production contains some smooth violins and a thumping bass that give Bis the right atmosphere he needs for this type of track. As for the actual lyrical content of the song, he reminesces on some past incidents with Free, such as her collaboration with him on Bis' debut album. Bis also takes a jab at former producer Wyclef Jean and Pras, insulting their personal hygene; its hilarious, to say the least. The track is tight as hell, to me at least. You will know that Free has not forgotten about Bis either. Earlier this year on an episode of 106 and Park, DJ Kay Slay was a guest, he was asked who he thought was the best freestyler is and he said Canibus. Free then said that they needed to get Bis back on the show, and before they went to the next video, Free said "Bis, call me!" And that's not even everything. Most recently (July 8th 2004) Free shouted Bis out AGAIN on 106 and Park. The old school joint of the day was "4,3,2,1" and even though Bis was cut out of the video, she acknowledged him; she said "LL featuring method man, redman, Canibus, I'm looking for you. Holla at me!" And the thing is, Bis was taken OUT of the video.
Bis brings back two familiar tracks with the "U Didn't Care (Remix)" and "Falster Ego". The first of the two is the remix of the original concept track from CTHS which dealt with Bis saving the life of Stan, the obsessed Eminem fan who drove himself over a bridge because Em didnt answer his letters. This is SO MUCH BETTER than the original, and takes another shot at Eminem with the production. The production is a lot better, sampling the soft song "King of Sorrow" by Sade, in the same way the Eminem song sampled the soft song "Thank You" by Dido. Another good thing about this track is Bis is rapping in his normal voice, and isnt disguising his voice to sound like a nerdy white guy. The Remix is a HELL of a lot better than the original; and along with the original concept, the production makes this remix a classic Canibus track. As for "Falster Ego", its the original version of "Bis vs Rip" from his Mic Club album. The difference with this one is the lyrics have been changed SLIGHTLY and the beat he raps over is the same beat he used for "Who Owns You" the diss track aimed at Beanie Sigel. Its pretty tight, but not as good as the second version from Mic Club.
But without a doubt, the true gem of this horrible mixtape is "How Many Emcees". The beat sounds very underground, mixing some nice drums with dark guitar loop. As for the subject matter, Bis spits the venemous battle lyrics that he's known the most for. Besides that, we get a tiny bit of introspection as Bis discusses his struggles that he had dealt with, when he tried to move up in the Hip-Hop game. Not only that, but Bis uses a good amout of the track dissing Eminem, calling him a Stan and referring to the past when Em called Bis' names out in songs for no reason ("Role Model" from SSLP, "Get You Mad" from Sway and Tech CD, and a freestyle when he said "I wanted to see where Canibus' money went so I borrowed a dollar from wyclef"). He also sends a rebuttal to Em's disses twords him from "When The Music Stops" from TES. For those that didnt know, Em's verse in that song was a satire of Bis' famous DJ Clue freestyle (the one I mentioned in the intro of this review), where he dissed Bis, calling CTHS a weak attempt at dissing him. Here, Bis lets him know it wasnt an attempt at dissing him, but it was a sick concept of parodying the industry. Also when Bis says at the end "'I'll battle you on the net, I'll battle you in the flesh' / y'all niggas know the rest, dont fuck with bis" Its another rebuttal to WTMS. the "I'll battle you" line is from the DJ Clue freestyle and with the second line he is saying that you shouldnt make a satire of my verse there cause mine is better, they'll remember that one line and know its better than your shit so dont fuck with Bis. With a take off of a classic KRS-One line, Bis creates a classic track.
Overall, I was pretty dissapointed with this release, especially since MNIN was decent at least. If you want my advice, download the four good tracks I've mentioned, and spare yourself of listening to this dissapointing mixtape. The only thing we wonder is, how will Bis do with "Rip The Jacker"? Will it be great like Mic Club and 2000 B.C., will it be good like Can-I-Bus and MNIN., will it be decent like CTHS, or just horrible like The Brainstream Mixtape? Hopefully not. But until we find out, just dont look to this to look for the good Bis shit that you're used to.
FINAL GRADE: 1 1/2 Stars
RELATED REVIEWS AND ARTICLES
Albums (Solo):
Canibus - Can-I-Bus (4 Stars)
Canibus - 2000 B.C. (Before Can-I-Bus) (4 1/2 Stars)
Canibus - C True Hollywood Stories (2 1/2 Stars)
Canibus - Mic Club: The Curriculum (4 1/2 Stars)
Canibus - Rip the Jacker (5 Stars)
Canibus - Mind Control (4 Stars)
Canibus - Hip-Hop For Sale (3 1/2 Stars)
Canibus - For Whom the Beat Tolls (4 Stars)
Albums (Group):
The HRSMN - The Horsemen Project (Coming soon)
Cloak N Dagga - Def Con Zero (2 1/2 Stars)
Mixtapes/Bootlegs:
Canibus - My Name is Nobody (4 Stars)
Canibus - The Brainstream
Canibus - The Lost Freestyle Files (Coming soon)
Canibus - The Virtuvian Man (4 Stars)
Canibus - Mic Club Masters Vol. 1 (Coming soon)
Other related articles:
Eminem vs Canibus: "The most theatrical emcee battle of all time"
Breaking down Canibus' style
Recommended:
No
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mcheadcase
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Location: Benson, NC
Reviews written: 132
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Oh yeah.... it ain't over motherfuckers!
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