Posted on 11/25/2008
Compilations can be tricky because if all the artists on the project aren’t on the same skill level, the compilation suffers. It’s almost better to have an array of mediocre artists, than to have a few really good ones, a few that just make par, and of course, a few snoozers.

This is the case with Bomb Hip Hop Compilation Volume 2. Don’t get me wrong, Bomb Magazine’s David Paul, the producer of this compilation, has definitely put in an enormous amount of work when it comes to the exposure of upcoming Bay Area emcees. Bomb Hip Hop Compilation Volume 1, was where many people first heard Blackalicious, and Mystic Journeymen, of Living Legends. For that I tip my hat. But unfortunately, Volume 2has only a few standouts as well.

One interestingly intriguing track is by Kalri$$ian entitled, “Lobby Room.” The first emcee on the song has a slow but cool cadence, and his voice sounds like he’s suffering from the most extreme head cold in history. But for some reason it works. It actually adds to the swagger of the playful, whimsical song. Good stuff.

Grip Grand also does the compilation a huge favor with his hard hitting, feel good song, “I Chose Rap.” His flow is consistent and thoroughly developed, as he pontificates on his love for hip-hop music, cemented by a catchy hook made up of old school sound bytes, over a classic soul sample.

“Piano Banger,” the next track, also falls in the vein of just good ol’ classic boom- bap, hard-spitting hip-hop. The chorus is a high-energy call and response, sure to be energetic and ultra intense at the live show (which I would definitely go check out.)

There are other dope tracks, such as the silly but honest “Manners” by Celsius 7, and Rec-League All-Stars’ “Disneyland.” But there are fourteen tracks on this compilation. And I’m surely not saying that the other eleven are terrible, but many of them just didn’t hold up in the midst of some of their awesome company. I would be interested in hearing all of these artists’ individual projects to experience each song only in reference to other songs they’ve created, instead of comparing them to other songs that other people have created on the same project. But all I was given was Bomb Hip Hop Compilation Volume 2, and like I said, compilations can be tricky.

- Jason Reynolds