G.N.E. – Soulja’s Rise

Under normal circumstances I don’t review mixtapes. I find it tough to critique an informal compilation with a central theme/message because it may not accurately reflect the artist’s true perspective.  In my mind, a good mixtape is one of high risk/reward where an artist can experiment and make a statement.  In this particular instance, the artist is a friend of mine so I agreed.  Guru Nanak Entertainment’s Saint Soulja is an East Coast open mic night regular who brings passion and light to minority issues while hawking t-shirts in between sets.

After re-arranging the track listing from my first listen, Saint Soulja wastes no time introducing himself in double time over a heavy hitting custom beat on “Rapid-Fire.”  I like this song but don’t like it as the first on a debut mixtape.  With a lot on his mind, I expected Saint Soulja to give a little more in depth intro while keeping this trick up his sleeve a little longer.

The second track is the best of the disc.  “Metropolis” ft. L-fresh is a really smooth and professional cut where Saint Soulja gives you a bit more insight into the issues of his life and lets you know he raps with a purpose.  L-fresh provides a nice complimentary verse and is someone I look forward to hearing from on future efforts.

As the story continues, Saint Soulja keeps his foot on the gas and listeners are treated to a variety of pretty good beats with a consistent underdog change message.  In “Soulja’s Story,” a track about revolution, he cleverly spits:

I’m a rebel to this world and I fight with a cause
and if I lose my swords then Imma fight with my paws
and if I lose my hands then Imma fight with my jaw,
fight with the law as long as I fight what’s wrong.

Later, with the use of Punjabi in “Disasters” and “P.O.W.” ft. Nayr Cross, Saint Soulja brings himself into the same category of Bohemia (The Punjabi Rapper) and Kanwar (Son of a Sardar).  The difference between the two is Bohemia is a rapper who tells stories while Kanwar is a storyteller using rap.  Both do a pretty good job although Kanwar with a smaller sample size and despite the swing-and-a-miss use of the word “ninja.”  At this point, Saint Soulja’s story is evident but his flow isn’t yet limited to one category as he continues to develop his on-mic personality.

It is clear that Saint Soulja is a conscious talent who shows signs of promise with intelligence and creativity.  His statements and vision of production are impressive resulting in a lot of ups and very few downs on this disc.  Fans of smart lyrics will find themselves pleasantly surprised more than once, better left in context than in pieced quotes on this post.

Soulja’s Rise is a solid effort by any standards.  Although it would be premature to label him a niche artist, with one mixtape Saint Soulja appointed himself the voice of a people and made himself easy to endorse.

Favorite tracks: “Metropolis feat. L-fresh,” “Soulja’s Story,” “Memory Lane,” “What I feel,” “Disasters.”

Final Review: It’s a free download, open your ears and let him open your mind.  Cop it.