Release date- April 17, 2013
1. Intro
Shaun:
To begin things, this is just Baragon giving shoutouts, letting us know what's
good. Cool beat, fun transition into the first song.
2. Papi Balboa
S: This is dope, right away it
reminded me of "Demigodz Is Back" (off the 2013 album KILLmatic) but I like how the same Rocky sample was used differently.
Wayne: I also liked the
Rocky samples and how he flowed to the beat.
S: I like these kind of tracks
where dude is just spitting. That line about Drew Barrymore made me want to
rewind this, lol. When listening to a new rapper for the first time, the first
verse you hear is key, and he nailed it.
W: I hear you on that. And in
this case, the first verse is almost as important as the opening song on an
album.
W: *4 out of 5*
S: *5 out of 5*
S: *5 out of 5*
3. Call From YL (Skit)
S: A fun little skit to set the
scene for the next couple songs
4. I Wanna Be A Rapper
S: I like how he focuses on
getting his point across. He stays on topic and still keeps the rhymes tight.
And I really relate to this one, being a student who likes to rap and seeing
some of my friends working day and night jobs while fitting music in where they
can.
W: Apply titled right here. All
he wants to do is be a rapper, nothing else. I like this kind of passion when
it comes to hip hop culture (education and church are not on his mind and he's
not letting anything stand in his way).
W: *4 out of 5*
S: *4 out of 5*
S: *4 out of 5*
5. Angie
W- I really like that
unmistakable Big Daddy Kane sample in the background on this one. Mr. Baragon
is talking about the girl he has a strong crush on and all the things he
would do to have her. It's not the average "female track", but it's
very good, albeit brief.
S: "She been in
everything from mosh pits to offices." Oooo-weeee, that definitely sounds
like “wifey type”! But on a serious note, these days there's so many
"girly type tracks" out that they can get corny sometimes, but
Baragon pulled it off in a good way that you can relate to. He kept the rhymes tight and painted a
picture.
W: *4 out of 5*
S: *4.5 out of 5*
S: *4.5 out of 5*
6. Romeo and Juliet
"Every Romeo needs his
Juliet"
W: After the brief, interesting
touch of "Angie", we jump right into the standard "female"
track here (or as Shaun said, "girly type track", lol). It's not bad,
but nothing we haven't heard before.
S: Not really my type of
track, he got a little too mushy for my taste.
I can dig it though, it has its purpose.
W: *3.5 out of 5*
S: *3 out of 5*
S: *3 out of 5*
7. Call from Madi (Skit)
S: I’m liking how these skits
break up the mixtape into different segments, and how he anticipates how people
would react to these songs.
8. So Good
W: Teddy Pendergrass' "When
Somebody Loves You Back" is the clear influence behind this song and it
hit me immediately when it started. Love is in the air on this song and
that's mainly what it's about. Another track for the ladies.
S: The hook is alright, nice beat as
well (I
personally think someone like John Legend could've nailed it). It's good for what it is.
W: *3 out of 5*
S: *2.5 out of 5*
S: *2.5 out of 5*
9. Deep Cover (845-Mix)
S: I think if you're going to
use someone else's beat, you have to be able to rap just as good if not better
than the original. Big Pun, for example, is a tall order but I'm not mad at
what Baragon did here. Dope rhymes. He killed this one.
W: You made a good point about
rapping over someone's beat, but overall he did come hard on this one and it's
tight as hell.
S: This one will definitely get
that “holy sh**!!!!!!!!” reaction out of people.
W: *4 out of 5*
S: *5 out of 5*
S: *5 out of 5*
10. Pink Matter Interlude f/
Dreadful Controversy
S: This was a good dose of
comedy, I like the sense of humor shown on this mixtape.
11. 845 In Newburgh
Featuring Don Phenom as Fee
Diddy
W: Baragon delivers another dope
freestyle, this time over Drake's "5AM In Toronto". I really felt this one.
S: Yessir! Easily better than
Drake's own song, with nice wordplay to match. Although there are a lot of
freestyles over this beat, Baragon nailed it again.
W: He said "leave you like
Carrie, Underwood, buried." Wow.
S: And I think this is the most
aggressive he's sounded on the whole mixtape on a vocal level.
W: *5 out of 5*
S: *4.5 out of 5*
S: *4.5 out of 5*
12. Call from Vicky (Skit)
W: She wants him to make another
"female" track, which leads us into.....
13. Chill With Me
Featuring Renee Francisco
S: This is a nice chill track,
no pun intended.
W: Baragon grants Ms. Vicky her
wish with another track for the females.
S: Renee sounds good on the
hook. Overall he already knows how to cater to both sides,
and I like how even on these
girly tracks he doesn't sacrifice his lyrical integrity. He still rhymes dope
over this J Dilla beat.
W: Good points.
W: *4 out of 5*
S: *3.5 out of 5*
S: *3.5 out of 5*
14. BONG
Featuring Jean Paul Viteri
S: I haven't heard anyone spit
over Naughty By Nature's "O.P.P" in a longgggg time. Good
choice.
W: It is a good choice for what
I considered a freestyle, but it's a good natured cover, if you will, of "O.P.P.",
and it's another dope song. I had to laugh out loud at BONG standing for "baggin
other niggas girls". Jean Paul came through with a decent verse too.
W: *4 out of 5*
S: *4.5 out of 5*
S: *4.5 out of 5*
15. Outro f/ Jacob Kondrath
W: This was one of the funniest
outros I've heard in quite some time.
16. Hustle
Featuring NaCir Jahmill
W: We have
all heard songs about hustling, but he puts an interesting twist on it.
S: Another dope track.
W: He makes it clear about the
benefits of staying on the grind.
W: *4 out of 5*
S: *4 out of 5*
S: *4 out of 5*
17. Gotta Win
Featuring Kool G Rap
S: Good choice for a closer. The Kool G Rap feature is a big selling point
for this mixtape, but saving it for the end shows that this is a dope project
even without this collab.
W: I agree with that Shaun. The
legendary G Rap stops through for this apply titled banger.
S: It has to be a big deal
for Baragon landing this collabo. Good
on G Rap for cosigning this.
W: *4 out of 5*
S: *4.5 out of 5*
S: *4.5 out of 5*
I've heard many mixtapes in my
time, but when it comes to someone trying to make a name for themselves, this
project by Baragon is a top notch effort. On this one mixtape, he has
everything that's missing from a lot of hip hop today: dope rhymes over dope beats,
punchlines, wordplay, breath control, something for the fellas and ladies, and
confidence. Shaun said, "This dude should definitely get big enough to at
least go on tours and stuff. He has the personality and the talent to be
winning, and he really nailed that first impression and showed consistency
throughout the mixtape." I agree with that assessment. I don't rate
mixtapes, but if I did, this one would earn a solid 4 stars. Good job Baragon,
keep up the good work!
If you interested in downloading and/or streaming the mixtape, you can do so at the link below:
Check out Shaun's blog and his Twitter as well!
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