Posted September 1, 2011 by Zach Gase 4 comments

G. Huff and Vice Souletric Beats

Ohio representatives, emcee G. Huff and beatsmith Vice Souletric Beats combine forces for their digital release, Where Do We Go From Here? Vice’s production style is straight from the post-Blueprint/Supreme Clientele era, with a slew of soul samples combined with hard drum patterns. Huff’s style also sounds like it came from a time where G-Unit and Roc-a-Fella ruled hip hop.

Vice is clearly the star on Where Do We Go From Here? with his top notch instrumentals that will remind listeners of a young Just Blaze. Unfortunately, G. Huff’s limited lyrical abilities do little engage the listener, as he stumbles over many hip hop clichés including: violence (“Gunz and Butta” and “100 of Us”), sex (“Formulate the Plan” and “The Plan Pt. 2”), haters (“Sideline Hating”), and even a corny phone call skit (“Phone Call”). It’s one thing to lack any sort of creativity or originality, but technique-wise Huff brings little to the table with a solid, but unimaginative flow, little word play, lazy rhyme schemes and bad hooks.

Where Do We Go From Here? does have a few compelling moments. The album’s opener boasts one of Vice’s beats, and Huff delivers one of his best performances. And “Pure Genius” boasts Huff’s best hook, and while he is out-rapped by guests Reks and Buff1, he still offers a pretty solid verse. In an era where samples are often replaced with synths and 808s and any sort of “gangster rap” is nearly non-existent, Huff and Vice can have a place in hip hop.

-Zach Gase

About the author

I am a journalism student at Bowling Green State Univeristy in Ohio. I am an avid music fan and hip hop lover. View Profile »

Comments

Bryan

I met these dudes out in NY and I disagree with this review 100%. The dude G Huff talked about his faith in God and his religious beliefs on many tracks and he even went so far as to talk about the break up with his sons mother and the relationship with his son. Okayplayer couldn’t have listened to this album at all, because there were more than just gangster rhymes. This album is for regular dudes that walk the face of the earth, not the elitist backpacker who wants to hear kumbaya on every song.
Vice

Good looking out Bryan. I respect OKP, but I sure wish they would have touched on the great conceptual songs on the album such as “Jaylon Andre The Prince” and “The Word” Huff is an extreme introspective rapper. And last time I checked there was violence, sex, and haters out here so its ALL real.
- Bryan
  
  I think the guy that reviewed this album is an Atheist and he doesn’t want songs like “The Word” to be heard. No guy named Zach Gase wants to hear about Allah and returning to Mecca. My fav song is the Wise Guy song you guys rocked in NY.
P.Dot

Just previewed this album on itunes after reading this review and the album is good. One thing I will say is that this album had no business being reviewed by okayplayer. If your a fan of music with a harder edge, this is the way to go. None of the songs sound the same, none of the content is the same and the guy that reviewed this album didn’t mention Termanolgy, Guilty Simpson, Ruste Juxx, Carlita Durand, Reks and Buff 1 were all featured. I agree with Bryan’s comment. Okayplayer should stick to reviewing albums from Talib, Mos Def, Blu and The Roots. This album is for fans that grew up on Ice Cube, Wu-Tang, Scarface, 2pac, Mobb Deep, Ice T and hardcore hip hop. I give it an 82. Far from the 65 this nerd journalist gave it.