Haze

Maino has been steadily killing the underground for years. The transition from underground to mainstream came with his hit single, “Hi Hater.” The people who been Maino fans could be happy that he is making it but the song didn’t seem the typical Maino but when you move into the big leagues, you can’t rap about the same topics he does. The album, “If Tomorrow Comes,” still hasn’t seen the light of day but it doesn’t stop him from bringing out that raw street music to satisfy. Superstar Jay links up with the Hustle Hard rapper once again to create “Black Flag City.”

This tape has a double purpose. It serves your Maino and introduces you to his Hustle Hard family. We have an introduction by Superstar Jay before Maino, PUSH! Montana & Mouse introduce themselves on “Welcome to My Black Flag City.” If “Hi Hater” was the mainstream anthem for the world to go around saying, then “What’s Poppin My G” can be the street anthem. Just like everyone else, when you need a hit single you go to T-Pain. “All Of the Above” is an inspiring Just Blaze produced joint. It definitely has hit written over it when promoted right.

Skillz is traditionally the person to recap the whole year but “Predictions 2009” has Maino flipping the “Wrap Up 2008” beat into a laughter filled song mixed with real predictions (“Chris Brown and Rihanna won’t make it to September”) and crazy outlandish predictions (“Another book by Superhead is coming soon/About how to suck dick with Autotune”). After 2 other Black Flag anthem-like songs, when we finally get to “Black Flag Anthem,” it’s not like the previous two that should’ve been the anthem(s). GQ beats graces “Get to Know Me,” a struggle filled song but inspirational at the same time.

If after listening to this, you don’t realize the strength of Hustle Hard, go re-listen. For the most part, it’s flaming but the 2nd half has a lot less energy than the 1st half. Despite that, if you like that raw street, flag waving, gun blazing, drug selling music, then you’ve purchased the right tape. If you listened to the 1st tape, u can distinguish that this one is more in house than all these guest appearances you saw on “Last Real Nigga Alive.” Superstar Jay did a good tape and hopefully everyone who listens will enjoy…