Adele 1988: Review

As a hip-hop web site, Kevinnottingham.com doesn’t really give me the chance to review music by 20-year-old English female singers strapped with guitars singing about a broken heart. The closest I got to that was the 808s and Heartbreak review (Hiyooo). Fortunately, the latest project from mixtape extraordinaire Mick Boogie has filled that void. Adele 1988 brings ‘88 back by having Mick Boogie’s hitmen from Viva La Hova incorporate elements from some of the biggest hip-hop joints from 1988 into a couple songs from Adele‘s platinum album, 19.

Adele may be rather young, but she sings beyond her years, like someone who’s had a lifetime’s worth of heartbreak and man issues. And while the subject matter doesn’t really lend itself to hip-hop elements, guest verses by Naledge and Rapper Big Pooh don’t seem out of place. The infusion of 1988′s hip-hop scene comes in the form of the drums from songs like “Lyrics of Fury” and “Going Back to Cali” and vocal samples from Slick Rick and LL Cool J. On “First Love”, producer Remot continues his dope orchestrations that have been prevalent on the last few Mick Boogie projects, and the track is blessed by a guest verse from Naledge. The song lulls you in (or to sleep) with a lullaby-sounding beat before the drums pick up, and Adele goes ahead with an apology to her first love, as she’s making like Main Source and looking at the front door. In “Melt My Heart to Stone,” The Kickdrums get a funky guitar going with the drums from Eric B. and Rakim‘s “Mahogany” and a verse from Rapper Big Pooh.

Adele 1988 isn’t nearly as good as Viva La Hova. But that’s more of a reflection of the quality of Viva La Hova, and not an indictment against Adele 1988. The flaw with this project is that it’s not as accessible to hip-hop heads. It doesn’t have a track that will get played in the truck, but that’s not Adele‘s target audience either. However, that demographic IS Mick Boogie‘s. This requires an open-minded listen, and is something to listen to while chilling at home, not in the truck with the subwoofers slappin’. The tape is a very brief 30 minutes, which seems just about right for this project. Those who are unfamiliar with Adele or don’t dig her steez will enjoy the beats presented and appreciate the brevity. Those who are fans of her work or are just looking for something easy to listen to will appreciate the juxtaposition of modern pop music and the rawness of 80s hip-hop and how they can work cohesively as an enjoyable listen.

75/100

Standouts:

First Love

Melt My Heart to Stone

Make You Feel My Love