The Tape

Weekly Album Review: Fear and Loathing in Hunts Vegas

Written by willshoob on Wednesday, 19 of November , 2008 at 6:37 pm

From what I can gather, Paper Route Gangstaz’s “Fear and Loathing in Hunts Vegas” is a collaboration between DJ Benzi, Diplo, and a bunch of Mad Decent artists. I’m not sure about the Mad Decent part, but I know that the first song is by Blaqstarr, a Mad Decent artist.

The album starts off with a real laid back, Diplo produced track entitled “Stuntastic” and is by Blaqstarr. If Cher were a hip-hop producer, I would guess that this is her creation. I wouldn’t say that it features a “cheesy” synth line, but it definitely reminds me of the 80’s. I really enjoy this song as an intro, because it does a real nice job of doing what it’s supposed to do, and that is to introduce. It shows a laid back sort of R & B part of the album (Blaqstarr) and then when Jhi-Ali spits a verse, you are introduced to the hip hop part of the album. Diplo’s remix of “Rollin’” comes up next, and as much as I love Diplo, I really dislike this remix. It’s boring and not half as good as some of the other remixes. Skip a few tracks, and we arrive at another Diplo remixed track, entitled “Don’t Go.” I like this remix a lot more. I don’t know what the original sounds like, but this is one of my favorite tracks on the album. It features one of my favorite rappers Wale, which probably helps contribute to my favoritism towards it, but that’s expected when you encounter a favorite.

As I listen to the album, I wonder why this gangster dirty south album is any different from some mainstream commercial radio artist. I’ve come to the realization that it’s all about the beats. Diplo is the real difference between this album being good, and it being just another “gangster” album. For example, skip ahead a few tracks and we arrive at “Bama Gettin’ Money”, remixed by Diplo. The chorus is “Gettin’ money oh ‘Bama gettin’ money oh!” Normally this would be considered garbage, or just flat out bad music… But Diplo puts an absolutely great beat over it, and it turns the song into a genuinely good song. Another one of my favorites is “Grind Baby” by X.O. I think I’ve mentioned this song on The Tape before, but I’ll talk about it again. This is probably my favorite beat on the album, as it samples Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So.” It’s a bomb ass song.

Even if you’re not a fan of gangster rap, I recommend you go download this album. You pay what you want, so there really isn’t a reason why you shouldn’t buy it. It features absolutely bomb beats by Diplo, and just fun songs in general. I know I’m an advocate and believer in “real hip-hop” that has a meaning and purpose, but it’s sometimes it’s fun to let yourself go and just listen to some entertaining music.

Blaqstarr feat. Jhi-Ali- Stuntastic (Prod. By Diplo)

PRGz- Bama Gettin’ Money (Diplo Remix)

X.O.- Grind Baby

Category: Miscellaneous

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