Mallz "Service Entrance"

Too often artists try to make global statements (sometimes this works with astounding success, other times it falls flat and seems forced) more often then not what works better is write about what you know, in other words, write about yourself and then bring in the big picture. That is how you can gain fans who stand by you because they feel they actually know something about you besides just being an MC. On "Service Entrance" Mallz does just that, he writes himself, and builds from there, what he does, how he works, what he will avoid, what he loves, etc. What really comes through on this album, besides that Mallz has skills, is the passion he has for hip hop, something that is too often lacking from albums nowadays. But enough of my rambling, let me break this down a bit more for you, so here it goes.

A great horn section kicks off "Long Time Coming (Intro)," the horns remain prevalent throughout the beat provided by Nubbz. The track is exactly what the subtitle says it is: an intro to Mallz, he lets us glimpse into his talent and where he's coming from, including references to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that is shortly followed by the words "vagina sex" so the listener quickly realizes you are not dealing with a one dimensional MC. However the most telling line for me is, "Rap my heart out on beats that will cripple your necks." What is so important about that line besides he likes his beat selection (I wonder how many MCs REALLY like their selection) is this is him giving his all to the audience, its not just words this is Mallz, so let us keep moving on and see what else he has to offer of his self to us.

The chorus for "Same Ol' Song" addresses an all too common sight when it comes to hip hop and rappers who "blow up" quickly "I don't wanna sing the same ol' songs, but you steady wondering what went wrong, it's just monkey see monkey do millionaires at 22 broke by the time they're 30, tell me what we're gonna do." I am fighting going on a very long rant about just who true this statement is and I think I shall pass on the rant, but do some research and you will see how often it happens. We are then of course forced to ask what makes Mallz different, why won't this happen to him, and he let's us know that "the common denominator, my rhyming nature is relative, consistent, never repetitive, medicine for those waiting for me to take it to it's next phases, I appreciate your patience, all the hating in the world can't discourage my drive, I'm like the first bumblebee with the courage to fly."

The uplifting beat for "Kiss the Sky" features a piano with some drums for rhythm; it acts as a great backdrop for Mallz to spit his words showing his hard work and dedication to the craft. "I pour my blood sweat and tears on the mic, its like the thoughts just appear when I write, still an arduous deed I leave it all in the booth," and goes into his disgust for the bastardization of the culture "everybody want to rap but no one seems to honor it, just a cash cow and everyone took a part of it, starving it, business now with no more art in it."

Mallz gives Hip Hop a voice...literally...on "What I Am" giving a rundown of what makes hip hop, hip hop. He does this not just with the lyrics (covering a multitude of classic hip hop albums, pioneers in other genres that hip hop is born from, clothing, but also goes into some of the negatives that hip hop covers including addiction and racism, in other words just about everything that makes the lifestyle what it is) but the beat by Analogic plays a major role in capturing the hip hop sound, it contains a bit of every style of music that has influenced hip hop.

Some tracks scream to me they need to be performed live, "Get Down" is one of those tracks, not just because you can feel Mallz's adrenaline in the words or because of the obvious call and response that can be set up, it is also that sort of show off feel to it that is just awesome to experience at a show. What is the gibberish I am speaking, there are a few key lines that you need to know (I shall not do the chorus because reading it will make it feel weak while the actual recording has such umph behind it)the first being "Got my head on straight, and I'm going for mine, shook off that dead weight that kept me falling behind, this is more than staying on my grind, this is fulfilling my destiny, who knew that going through hell could lead to something so heavenly." Can't you just picture the crowd rapping along with this and vibing out, and then comes the lines that would cause major reactions in a battle such as "gasping for air and you choking for breath, I'm on my second wind."

A great sample kicks off "Magic" (at first listen I assumed it would be a love song, I was wrong...kind of) as Mallz goes in about the gift of rhyming and life in general, "I was born to do this, that's what you don't understand, this rap shit's intuitive, miss me with the foolishness, life's about the harmony, got to stay in tune with it, or end up losing it." And yes there is certainly love in this song (and the album as a whole) not just for the music but for life in general.

"Stretch Me Out" begins with another great vinyl sounding soul sample that continues throughout the track. Mallz demonstrates his story telling ability (hooray for story telling) by unraveling a night with a female fan from introduction to end of the evening. This is a track you need to listen to, there are a few twists and turns throughout that are best experienced in song and not reading me describe it but I will let you know there is a GI Joe reference.

Don't mess with the funk horns on "Hands High" they are automatic headbangers unless you have no soul and of course with a beat like that and a track titled "Hands High" this is another must see at a show (I assume.) This track also offers one of the best examples of Mallz's ability to create polysyllabic rhymes, and we all know how much I love that, check out this line "Rhyme specialist, making the impossible seem effortless, eclectic perfectionist, I stay on my job." There are more syllables in that one line than in entire songs on your local hip hop station. Proving that it is ok to read a book, you can still be an MC and use "big" words.

"Homesick" is about exactly what you would expect it to be, love for Mallz home, friends and family. The chorus covers the concept perfectly "no matter how far I roam, there's only one place I call home, take it with me where ever I go, this much y'all should be known." While Mallz does detail some set backs, or at least hurdles throughout the track the last verse ends with the inspirational lines "But you can't keep the sun from shining, got a new start, baby, now I'm arriving, moved from the backseat, now I'm driving, headed back home I am all inspiring."

Imagine the music of an old glamorous Hollywood film score and you have the intro to "You" before the drums kick in and violin and piano fall back a bit. Since you are already imagining, keep on doing it, this time picture Mallz sitting down a younger version of himself or someone else he is looking after (I prefer to picture him talking to his younger self) and offering advice on life and especially the music business and letting them know in the end the only person you can really rely on to get stuff done is you, warning to watch out for your so called friends, realize you don't know everything, learn to stand up for yourself, and no matter what keep on fighting, no one is going to give it to you, you must take it.

Mallz continues to address his listeners in an attempt to motivate them to life their life with "In Your Hands," as he says, "You only have one life to live and its in your hands." While that might sound cheesy and polished if you take that line alone (however true it may be) don't think this track is all starfish and coffee, there is outright defiance as well "So when its time to face death, I'm going to stick out my chest, grab on my balls, defiant with my back to the wall." Plus he throws a reference to a classic poem or two, so keep your ears open and listen to the track, and remember that message is truly important.

The album closes with Mallz offering a "Thank You (Outro)" to the listeners, those who assisted in the project, his family and friends. I always think it is cool when an artist does this, even if you only listen to it once, it is a much cooler way to say thank you then just listing it on the album notes, and with the number of physical products decreasing, it is a way to give your thank yous in the digital age.

I said it in the beginning and I will reiterate it here, write what you know, have talent on the mic, pick quality beats and you too can create a quality album just like Mallz does on "Service Entrance." But make sure you aren't afraid to show off your vocabulary or change up your sound a bit, speak from your heart, and stay true to you, Mallz does all of these and does them all well. So once you finish reading this sentence, click on the link below, download and listen to "Service Entrance" and listen to an MC who crafted an album of high quality hip hop by being himself.



Stream and download the album here.