Verse Essential-Freedom is Mine

Verse Essential-Freedom is Mine/Independent-(2013)

Artist: Verse Essential  

Album: Freedom is Mine

Label: Independent  

Producers: Todd Sykes, Marley Marl, DJ Spinna, Hattory Productions, Juan Lobo, others

Bronx bred; Laurelton Queens raised Verse Essential has opened the flood gates for the past couple of years. He has made more hustle moves in the last couple of years than most MC’s during their ten plus tenure. With the success of Ingenious as well as the collaborated Blood Written in Ink, Verse comes back strong with his new mixtape “Freedom is Mine”

            The album starts off positively aggressive with the American Pimp influenced “I Am” where Verse perfectly describes himself and shuts the critics up with confidence. The feel of the album goes in different directions. With this mixtape, Verse takes chances and diversifies his sound. "Never A Dull Moment" is an example of experimenting going right as producer Kiza takes an old school feel good beat and makes it compatible with Verse's contemporary consistent delivery. The fast tempo track “This Is The Way” is the perfect example of switching styles without selling out; just because an artist delivery changes does not mean he/she is sounding like a southern rapper. BIG MYTH! A real slow reality saga gets into play on “I Don’t Get Down Like That” based on a chic that reversed on him on the shady tip; a cool retrospect beat with a message but leaves a little mystery behind it. The singing inspired single “Appetizers” brings out a matured Verse feeding the truth of losing friends in the music business. The song keeps the listener wanting more without the main course.

            The minor misstep of this mixtape is a little seesaw of tracks like his previous collaboration album “Blood Written in Ink” where some tracks are close to perfection it supersedes the others. “Change the Game” and “Trouble” are album fillers and the Marley Marl produced “Lyrical Fitness” loses the listener with a monotonous beat despite the fiery lyrics. The album brings back to the essence when Verse teams up with his brethrens Access Immortal and Jukstapose on the Juan Lobo piano laced “Unsung Heroes”. Todd Sykes returns giving Verse that unique sound from day one. “Dream of Reality” is an example of awesome producer/artist compatibility where Verse talks about the everyday grind of the corporate world; everyone can relate to that and the title track brings nostalgia of the 90’s. The best way to end an album is by its definition which Verse and producer Kidd Called Quest profoundly perfected on "Wouldn't Change A Thing"; a smooth mellow beat and a deep intense storyline.

            Freedom is Mine is self-explanatory in which Verse doesn’t need to explain verbatim of the meaning; the beats and rhymes stated by itself. The growth and maturation is best expressed on this album as Verse diversifies his delivery, subject matter and beat selection. Although more cohesive and innovative than the Ingenious mixtape, this is just a warm up for the second opus. Verse surmised on this project that his freedom belongs to him; he owns his own destiny and no one can take it away from him. The minute you allow someone to snatch that freedom under your grasp, YOU WILL LOSE!

            Strong Tracks: “I Don’t Get Down Like That”, “Lyrical Fitness”, “Dream of Reality”, “Unsung Heroes, "Travel Man", "Wouldn't Change A Thing" 
            Average Tracks: “Change the Game”, “Trouble”, “Lyrical Fitness”

            Weak Tracks:  None

            Rating:out of