Stark----The Project

Stark-The Project-Independent-(2013)

Artist: Stark

Album: The Project

Label: Independent

Producers: DSteele 

Chicago has a diversity of artists and producers with different styles. Right in the middle stuck between the east, west and the south, the windy city is putting some talent on the map. This includes a hungry artist name Stark who has putting out hot material in the local scene of Chicago for a hot minute. Stark now has a ten track album out in the works. Let’s see if Stark’s album “The Project” blends into the masterpiece collection.

             This album is entirely produced by DSteele which his beats are so addictive. The first track “Hot Fries and Lemonade” is one of the personal summer favorites; it has a fun radio friendly beat provided by DSteele in which Stark straight bodied this track; this is a perfect track for him only: it’s all I need to get me through like a passport…never play me nor see me detour/because the road to success is a one way. Or check this line: I’m from the city when the streets be the coldest in the summertime/they moving pounds like a number sign. This track has a playful delivery like the Pharcyde with thought provoking slick wordplay and rhyme presence like Common during his first two albums. Throughout the whole album has a theme that gel well. The jazz influenced “Headstrong” produced by DSteele is a gem when the horns fit perfectly with the beat. “Save Chicago” has an ominous blues feel to it when Stark is trapped in limbo between should he leave or stay in the windy city to save the conditions it is in. Moreover, Stark does expand his mind from a thought provoking intellectual perspective in “Beloved Believer” when he describe his work ethic, lifestyle and his opinions on everything around him: I believe police are out for the salary/and since my skin is brown I’m predisposed to their brutality…I believe that everybody has a story/but people tend to alter them so they can get the glory/I believe that all people are benevolent/but lack of guidance makes violence more prevalent. The last track “Enigma” has the hard drum pattern while Stark bodied that track on relationships and challenging the opposite sex’s psyche.

            This ten track album is what a true hip hop album is all about; it’s refreshing with a new wave in music. The album theme is contemporary and fit right into today’s hip hop album. There is something interesting in this album which is the structure of the album; they took it back to the old school 90’s album process where there is one artist, one producer and no one else. Moreover, the chemistry between Stark and DSteele reminiscence somewhat like Gang Starr’s debut album when there is one artist, one producer and a track in the album where the producer or deejay shine on its own. Stark is Chicago's hidden shining star and he will continue to shine with the strong musical chemistry with new producer DSteele and having the ability to pick the right beats to match his rhyming cadence. Enjoy this ten track well packaged opus while snacking on those hot fries with a tall glass of cold lemonade under the shade on a hot summer day.

            Strong Tracks: “Hot Fries and Lemonade”, “The Hit”, “Enigma”, “Beloved Believer”, “Headstrong”, “Save Chicago”

            Rating: out of


Go peep that Stark album "The Project" give it a download on soundmindsounds.