88-Keys, Kanye West’s best friend and a relatively unknown figure in hip-hop has (finally?) released his debut album The Death of Adam. The Harlem based producer/rapper has made songs for Black Star, The Pharcyde, Macy Gray and Consequence, and ever since he dropped the free(!) mixtape Adam’s Case Files in june, I have been looking forward to this album.

so uhm

Over to the review:

I would not call this album directly incredible, but there are quite a few light-spots in this album and it has a funny concept. Oh yes, “the concept?” you may ask. Well, the album follow the investigation of the death of a guy named Adam and as 88 said himself: “The entire album is about the power of the punani, if you will. It follows the story line of my man Adam who passed away and basically how he died.”

The songs on the album have all something to do with the story, and with titles like Morning Wood, and M.I.L.F., it will at least catch some people’s attention. The production is tight, and with guest performers, ranging from alternative rock-group Shitake Monkey (even though I mention them, does NOT mean that I like them) to Redman, this album is fun-filled and something different from all the other stuff coming out today. But.. like every other album, this one has flaws to it. Like The Friends Zone (with Shitake Monkey) sounds like some crazy-ass T-Pain Shit gone wrong..

The Album is executively produced by good-Kanye West, not the bad one, and contains a little bit of the soul-y feeling from the College Dropout days. Good-Kanye also makes an ok appearance on the single Stay Up (Viagra), which was recorded ages ago.

This is a good, innovative and uncompromising (I mean, the album artwork tells that much right?)) album for people who need some jolly and rollicking music in their life, and for all those who miss the old College Dropout feeling.

Buy here.

Favorite songs: M.I.LF., The Burning Bush, Morning Wood, Handcuff’Em