(Photo By Michael Wessel)
“Irrationale” (previous review)
“Rolling Stoned” (previous review)
“Provide” (previous review)
“Light Poles” (previous review)
“All By Myself” F/ Larry Bull & Drudini
The production here is attention getting. The solid bass-line, energetic background components, spirited tempo, and zealous vibe make for a winning combination. The hook is on point too. The delivery & vocals co-exist properly together and the lyrics are pointed. The verses are of a high quality. Sean Smart takes on the first two portions of the record and Larry Bull knocks out the end half. Both gentlemen come through with fiery flows, respectable wordplay, and efficient rhymes. They pen an anthem that speaks to the scenario of journeying through life and chasing one’s dreams on the solo tip. A few notable lines from Sean Smart are: “Thoughts of depression making my mind a deadly weapon. In this profession, it turns into an obsession. Ain’t a question, the lessons I learn are blessings. I’m with my brethren but sometimes they gotta get to stepping. Come with aggression. Measure moves with precision.” Those bars right there definitely lend an air of deepness to the opening verse of the track. As a whole, this is a significant and motivating number.
“Out Of Sight”
The production here is sick. The sleek foundation, eerie yet suave musical ingredients, creeping gait, and shadowy vibe are an auditory dream for the ears. The hook is decent. The delivery is interesting and the lyrics are easy to comprehend. The verses are top of the line. Sean Smart enlists a breezy flow, cheeky wordplay, and unapologetic rhymes. He finesses the mic in such a dope manner that it very clear to anyone who listens that he won’t be out of anyone’s sight or mind for a long time to come. An excerpt from his skillful display includes: “Gave my chick the ball and she take the d. Never diss at all. But you can’t agree. And yo vacancy is plain to see. I’m back in it. Better buck up. They had a bad finish and they funds up. If it was up to me, they’d get nun-chucks. So either f–k with me. Or shut the f–k up.” Those bars right there send out a very brazen message. Overall, this record is a banger as well as a site favorite.
“The One” F/ Drudini
This is the second to last song in the collective. The notorious Mike Regal serves as the producer on this cut. And he nails it. The production here is attractive. The gentle base, tame supporting details, mellow pacing, and tranquil vibe blend perfectly together. The hook is desirable. The harmonies are pleasant and the lyrics are expressive. The verses are complimentary. Sean Smart dispenses a toned down flow, tasteful wordplay, and affectionate rhymes. He speaks openly to the special woman in his life on: his feelings for her, his dedication to his career, and his efforts to try to make both worlds balance out. A snippet from his narrative is as follows: “I wish that I could feel your hurt for you. I go to work for you. You think I work too much. Ain’t that something, huh? Think these bees is swarming cause they heard the buzz. Uh-uh, but you the only one. See you the one that I dream of since the first time we teamed up. First time you walked in the room, was the first time that I seen love.” Any woman who hears lines like that would most certainly find a little more patience and acceptance for her man and his dreams. In the end, this is another triumph for the tape and an additional site favorite.
**My Two Cents: Sean Smart: The Mixtape is a righteous debut from our favorite East Side emcee. The tape gives listeners his signature edgy style as well as some sides of the rapper that are a little more vulnerable and relaxed. The production is strong as well. Each track offers a little something different sonically which keeps the music interesting to listen to. And the feature appearances tie in cleanly with the project. For a debut, I probably would’ve cut the number of guests in half though. But Sean holds his own against his peers, so it doesn’t take anything away from the quality. All in all, this is a good restart for Sean and I’m looking forward to hearing what he does next. -MinM
