by Rami Mallis
Daily Lobo
Rapper BeKay is torn between two worlds.
He's got the skill of an underground MC but wants to be mainstream.
The Future of Hip Hop is Now, the second album by the white rapper, bursts out of the streets of Brooklyn with 16 furious tracks filled with attitude and genuine skill. The 24-year-old East Coast dweller is a Jewish MC who seems desperate for his big break. He appeared on MTV's "Making the Band 2" and "MC Battle" in an attempt to make it into the mainstream realm of hip-hop.
BeKay's new effort suggests great potential and talent and could well prove to be the product needed to bring his music to light.
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But on first listen, BeKay is immediately comparable to Eminem. Their voices are notably similar in terms of pitch, though BeKay spits a grittier, less satirical style, evocative of hardcore East Coast rap.
To the cynics, BeKay is a rip-off of Slim Shady, but considering mediocre reviews of Eminem's Encore, the Brooklyn white boy outshines with his unique approach.
BeKay's explosive and often witty lyrics are effectively brought out by his emotional and passionate flow, portrayed in the track "Sick" where he irately reacts to being compared to Eminem.
Standout tracks include "Where Brooklyn At," featuring the late O.D.B. of the Wu Tang Clan, who further emphasizes that unrefined sound.
BeKay presents the listener with three outstanding tracks in a row, beginning with the catchier, more relaxed and accessible tune "Summer," which promotes the freedom and exuberance of the hot season.
He continues by paying homage to the departed and notorious East Coast rapper Notorious B.I.G. in the dedication track "Big," which features Soul Tri and is backed by some original and appealing beats. The song is compelling, giving the listener an insight into the MC's foremost influence and the reason behind his music.
The next track, "What If," pushes the listener to consider a variety of social topics ranging from anti-Semitism to nuclear Armageddon.
Despite the album's strengths, it suffers slightly from an amateurish feel and may not have the commercial qualities essential to making it in the mainstream - an aspect which can be considered good or bad depending on the audience.
There is no disputing that BeKay has great potential and the right attitude. The Future of Hip Hop is Now will no doubt be received with open arms by the underground hip-hop community. Still, it may not have what it takes to blow up in the same fashion as Eminem.
The Future of Hip Hop is Now
BeKay
Indiego Promotions
Grade: B
