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Life & Arts

'Listen' features variety of talent

Solid guest appearances spice up DJ Khaled's non-traditional album

by ELI JABBE
THE DAILY COUGAR

DJ Khaled is a Miami DJ who has slowly became more prominent in hip-hop recently. 

While working as a radio DJ, he also is a part of the inner-circle of New York star Fat Joe, DJing for the rapper and also producing records for him and other rappers on Joe's Terror Squad Records label.

Khaled has made connections with various artists, enabling him to enlist their help so he was better prepared to release his own record. 

Listen isn't a traditional album; it's a compilation featuring some of hip-hop's most popular stars. It would take a while to list everybody, so I will only mention the record's standouts.

On "Hustler Music," Atlanta star Young Jeezy teams with Texas veteran Bun B. Jeezy brings his usual flow and adlibs, "These guys are broke, they choke / I laugh at you guys, sit back and smoke / I add my money up, yeah, a safe full of chips / Holy guacamole, that's a whole lot of dip."

The song is good, but isn't as good as "Grammy Family." 

The nice Kanye West-produced beat features West and Consequence as well as singing from neo-soul star John Legend. 

West impresses with an excellent verse, with lines, "I'm from the Chi, the city of hella haters, where we keep rising to the top like elevators / Hi haters, I'm back off hiatus, I feel just like you, I mean, even I hate us."

"Problem" is a standout collaboration between former rivals Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel. Jada brags, "I've been an expert at this for years / I'm responsible for a lot of these guys' careers."

"Holla At Me" is the hit single featuring Lil Wayne and one of Paul Wall's best verses in years.

The Houston rapper creatively brags about his car: "I've got the INS on my tail, immigration still harass / Because they see me in a foreign riding on imported glass." "Candy Paint" sounds like a vintage Houston song, featuring Slim Thug and Chamillionaire. Slim is solid on this Cool & Dre-produced track, but Cham has the best verse: "You could reincarnate Picasso from the grave, and still couldn't compete with the way my ride is sprayed."

"Dip Slide Ride Out" features T.I. and the P$C, including Big Kuntry, who explains, "We can handle any situation like MacGyver."

Listen is solid, and as it features a variety of rappers, it is sure to please fans of many different artists. 

DJ Khaled

Listen
KochRecords

Verdict: ‘Listen' is definitely worth a listen.
 

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