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
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Melt My Heart to Stone
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Make You Feel My Love
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Hot mixtape IMO
Ill shit dude, nice review. I remember hearing that Remot track, but not much else, thanks for turning me on to this. Hopefully it is in fact at least better than 808s (which I still don’t get the appeal of).
Fred is a don
Dope! She reminds me of Yukimi Nagano
Check her out on this record she did Geology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqxhtUkwmrA
dope review dope mixtape
I liked most of this tape, but I wouldn’t bump it in the deck of my lolo. the homies would be looking at me sideways
I put this mixtape down as one of my favorites from ‘08 on my own site. I bump this in my car almost daily (the “Cold Shoulder” remix with “Paper Thin” and “I’m That Type Of Guy” make my speakers shake.) On top of that, it put me on to Adele in the first place and I ended up getting the real album which I found just as dope. Mick Boogie always brings the best out of a project and to me this one is no different. I think the rating should be higher.
Then you, sir, are a braver man than I. Playing this loud in the car reminds me of the commercial where George Lopez is forced to drive his daughter’s car, a VW Bug with flowers painted on it, complete with a “Boy Crazy” sticker. And when he pulls up to the vatos? Hilarious
I did favor the beat though, Garbs did a good job.
this tape is well-put together. It’s an interesting concept. But will I be listening to any of this next month? Outside of First Love, no.
lol…
fred and his classic stereo
types
This is simply “sic”…even the original cd is tight…she is an unbelivable artist…Thanks for another outstanding review.
Thanks for the comment J. Rizzle, much appreciated. Funny you mention the original album, 19. I downloaded a few tracks from the album last night, I was pleasantly surprised at how good a few of those tracks are
Freddie,No problem homie on the comment…
I jus want to let u know that Adele will be performing on the Grammies this Sunday…I wasn’t gonna watch it all, but now I am…She’s gonna have me watchin’ it on the big TV in the living room in HD, lol…damn i didn’t even watch the Superbowl on the big joint ain’t that some sheetz, lol