Papoose----The Nacirema Dream

Papoose-The Nacirema Dream/Honor B4 Money-(2013)

Artist: Papoose   

Album: The Nacirema Dream

Label: Honor B4 Money

Producers: DJ Premiere, Dame Grease, Ron Browz, Buckwild, Tie Sticks, others   

Many rappers get that buzz from the streets to the airwaves hanging with the big dogs and all of a sudden their careers fizzle. They either give up on their career or do whatever it takes to get that stardom back. Option B goes to Brooklyn’s heavy spitter Papoose as he continues on his grind and never gave up. Papoose keeps his name relevant by staying on the independent scene putting out one mixtape after another. With a stalled career signing with Jive records and making many attempts on the debut album but was pushed back and almost shelved, now it’s time to show the world on how to live “The Nacirema Dream”. Papoose’s long awaited anticipated album has finally arrived.

            The Nacirema Dream is a see-saw album front start to finish with some fire head nodding tracks to while others can easily press the fast forward button.  The Dame Grease produced “Motion Picture” loses the listener with outdated kicks and snares although Pap did kick some dope rhymes. The album has its moments as Pap’s delivery is on point. The standout track is the Buckwild produced Cure featuring the soulful singer Erykah Badu where Pap kicks thought provoking rhymes about cancer; a track that let you second guess about life. Law Library Part 8 also hits home as Pap spits the truth about the criminal justice system over a well-balanced piano sample: we educated, so the cops is pissed/now they got a new plan, stop and frisk/interesting it caught my attention/cuz it’s a violation of the fourth amendment. Tracks like “Mother Ghetto” “Faith”, “Aim Shoot” and “6AM” exemplify straight Brooklyn; depicting the vivid picture of the hood filled with drugs and violence. These tracks are right on Pap’s comfort zone.  

            Quality of beats just made this album falter significantly as the momentum just loses steam. As mentioned “6AM” fits perfectly with Pap joins forces with Dipset’s Jim Jones and D-Block’s Jadakiss. However, the battle of the sexes track “What’s My Name” featuring Bronx’s lady Remy Ma is an awful radio friendly track that falls flat over a recognizable O-Jays sample while the posse cut “Where I Come From” is just plain terrible. DJ Premiere didn’t do justice for Pap on the 90’s influenced “Turn it Up” track; an average album filler although Pap delivery is on point while Mavado saved the inconsistent “Top of My Game” based on incompatibility of a lackluster beat and Papoose lack of energy. “Get At Me” rings bells over a nicely Ron Browz beat despite the annoying auto tune chorus.

            It is hard to put out a highly anticipated album with high expectations. The beats were either outdated or not compatible with bland hooks and some wishy washy guest appearances. There are some highlight moments but this is an average album at its best. Maybe it’s the stalling of the Jive Records fall out or the anticipation debut hype but this album misfires in the shooting range. This does not exclude Pap from becoming one of the fiercest lyricists in the game. It’s simply an overrated album where bland beats and at times lack of energy just made the project tanked.

            Strong Tracks: “Cure”, “Faith”, “Law Library Part 8”, “Aim Shoot”, “6AM”, “Mother Ghetto”

            Average Tracks: “Motion Picture”, “Top of My Game”, “Turn It up”, “Get At Me”

            Weak Tracks:  “Where I Come From”, “What’s My Name”

            Rating:out of