E-Dro/ From My Hood To Your Hood/ mixtape review

Rating of the product: 4 stars
Mixed by Nas’ DJ, DJ Les, the From My Hood To Your Hood mixtape reveals an interesting NYC talent, E-Dro.
Guess Who s Back : as E-Dro walks in on a keyboard and piano background, he draws his painful path in the hood. Proudly representing NYC, rich of a knock out attitude, E-Dro is ready to impress his listeners.
In Black Man, E-Dro pours his heart out about the difficult living conditions of a black man in the hood. Speaking on behalf of his folks, E-Dro tells things the way they are: black people don’t always have it easy. Constant stuggles, racial discrimination, poverty come out of the profound cry of a black man s soul.
What Happened is written in form of a big question mark. Distorted keyboard sounds will describe E-Dro s lack of comfort with the constant oppositions and fights between black and white communities. Is it possible to change things in a land in which color matters? Can we work together towards more justice and equality for everyone? Can we change the fact of black kids dying in the streets because of aids and drugs? What happened? Why did things worsen?
Smoking is built on very rhythmic jazzy piano sounds and rhythmic drum beats. Feel the beat, the music and the passion that comes from an artist s mind. It is chill out time. Time for a blunt or two. Time for sharing in the community. Black music lovers should definitely enjoy this one.
On The Grind describes the usual situation of people living in the hood. You gotta struggle hard to make it and keep grinding, no matter what.
A swinging rhythm, repetitive instrumentals will make the listener feel the spirit of a man who keeps pushing on, regardless of the many material obstacles he might encounter on his road.
Street Life is enhanced with E-Dro s raspy voice, soft piano and violin sounds. Feel the contrast between soft and raw elements.
I’m not so enthusiastic about LAPD. I don’t agree with E-Dro on that one. I might be a woman, but I am not keen on listening to such kind of songs. This precise song won’t make me buy the album. I am keen on listening to well built reps. LAPD is gross as far as I am concerned. Neither did I like Be Ez, that sounded too much like a Destiny’s Child flavored song.
Fortunately, Grew Up exposes more serious subjects such as growing up in the hood. The instrumental suggest the harsh struggle all over the years.
Another interesting song is DC Ryders. The keyboard sounds and rhythmic drum beats will astutely describe a life on the run.
E-Dro s raspy voice will describe the roughness of life on the block.
Globally E-Dro s mixtape is a good piece of work. I recommend it to all of you.
Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved