Artist: A-Pinks/DJ Whoo KidTitle: It’s Not A Rumor (Mixtape)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Brandon Edwards
The Empire State breeds envy. New York MC’s are in a weird situation at the moment, and with the Southern hemisphere enjoying much deserved success and mainstream airplay, up-and-coming east coast MC’s find it hard to fit into the rotation. There’s no need to bring New York rap back, it never left. The Apple is a place that breeds superstars and legends [Jay-Z, Nas, 50 Cent, LL Cool J, B.I.G etc.]. We’d all agree that those are Hitchcock shadows to step out of and Shaq Diesel sneakers to fill.
Competition is fierce and unpromising for amateurs. Queens has a reputation for birthing some of the best rap talent to date. This native has a sharp wit and limber flow that will distance him from Tuesday and Thursday’s trash. Highly capable of rubbing elbows with NY’s premier fire starters, Ravenswood Projects’ own A-Pinks is confident in his ability to outshine anyone bar for bar on a higher level. Long scratch goes far in business, especially in the music industry. With his DeadArm team assembled, moves are being made and ground is being conquered through dedicated promotion and a tireless work ethic. Hosted by DJ Whoo Kid, It’s Not A Rumor is A-Pinks’ fifth solo mixtape.
The opener, “All On Your Own” produced by Grand Larceny is the heavyweight of It’s Not a Rumor. Relentless keys with dark undertones and overbearing gun blasts set the stage as A-Pinks delivers a heavily G-Unit influenced introduction. Descriptively crafting the reality of strength and loneliness in independence and success, A-Pinks fiercely growls about doing whatever it takes to get to the top by his damn self; “One man militia wit’ a viscous hunger pain/I refuse to be another what’s his name.”
It’s Not a Rumor briefly falls short with below average filler, glimpses of gangster rhetoric and a few lackluster bars sprinkled throughout. After missed lay-ups with his unnecessary renditions of “Mind Playin Tricks On Me” and “10 Rap Commandments,” A-Pinks quickly rebounds with the well-scripted “If My Hood Could Talk” and sincere ceremony “Everybody’s a Gangsta”. It’s this kind of distinctive thinking, song making maturity and social awareness that allow A-Pinks to shine. Hopefully the masses will catch on to this versatile young talent as he gains popularity and elevates his network, proving that gossip takes a back seat to quality effort.