Durag Dynasty----360 Waves

Du Rag Dynasty-360 Waves/Nature Sounds-(2013)

Artist: Du Rag Dynasty   

Album: 360 Waves

Label: Nature Sounds

Producers: The Alchemist 

In 2013, groups are collaborating these days to bring out the best out of each other. This includes the group Du Rag Dynasty which consists of Planet Asia, Killer Ben, Tristate and veteran producer the Alchemist. There is no doubt that the Beverly Hills producer the Alchemist creates gems and Planet Asia teams up with Killer Ben and Tristate. The super group emerges and releases the new album 360 Waves.

            Based on the Alchemist resume, he is mentored well by Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs and it shows on some of the tracks. Du Rag Dynasty theme and Fish Meat featuring Prodigy of Mobb Deep exhibit the dark production with sharp lyrics that fit the bill: murder machine rifle/promethazine leaving you leaning like Eiffel . The production has that mixture of a seventies inspired feel good beat with a contemporary bounce to it. Although the production on this album is very stellar, the lyrics on some tracks can be monotonous at times. The delivery is consistent on some tracks but the guest appearances outdo the artists. Big Twin Gambino does damage on “Bigger U Are The Harder They Falll” while Phil the Agony stepped his game up on “Trailer Mix”: my flow water like the aqueduct/see a lot of rappers coming up but half of them suck/stretching weed like laffy taffy/I’m like BIG from ashy to classy. Imam Thug amps it on “Goon Call” but the group sounds average while the soulful “Tender Greens” stands out on a production level with a nicely1960 sample but the lyrics got lost with no compatible balance; the lyrics would fit better on a little faster up-tempo beat and the beat would fit better with some back in the day or a loss of a family member lyrics more suitable for Queensbridge rappers like Capone n Noreaga, Cormega, Nas or Mobb Deep. A few tracks do stand out lyrically such as “360 Waves” Tristate did his thing: Egyptian cloth, solid gold cross/tabernacle talk, low and behold when shells bark/leave you bitten, snoopin’ in the garden of the hidden/false prophets plagiarize lines of my written. The album gets to the ending with “Luxury Whips” when the trio raps on their braggadicous rhyming flair on their whip game.

            This is still a standout base on gritty lyrical chemistry and awesome production. It’s a no frill get into your face album, nothing more or less. At times, the production outweighs the lyrics as Planet Asia is an accomplished MC with slick wordplay but unseasoned emcees Tristate and Killer Ben have the delivery but don’t have too much of the charisma. This would be a great album if they stayed with darker production tracks to complement their delivery like Du Rag Dynasty and Fish Meat. Although not a thought provoking album and struggle at times with compatibility, sometimes the old statement still rings true; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

            Strong Tracks: “Du Rag Dynasty Theme”, “Fish Meat”, “Bigger U Are The Harder They Fall”, “Trailer Mix”, “Luxury Whips”

            Average Tracks: “Goon Call”, “Yasir Arafat”, “Tender Greens”

            Weak Tracks:  “Shooters”

            Rating: out of