Posted on 07/25/2005

 

Over the past few years, mixtapes have become some of the more influential promotional tools in hip hop. Artists now use mixtapes to build anticipation for upcoming releases by leaking a couple album tracks, adding some b-sides, freestyles and remixes, then throwing on a few posse cuts for good measure. In The Grown Folks' case, their mixtape not only builds anticipation for their full-length debut, Child's Play, but serves as a formal introduction to the duo: Virginia natives, Micsource and Dox-1. It Is What It Is has it all: three tracks from the upcoming Grown Folks debut, a few remixes, and a couple collaborations with some bigger named artists (i.e. Skillz and Wordsworth). Dox-1 produces the majority of the 21-track mixtape. For the most part, the work he puts in is very good. On one track Micsource compares Dox to Pete Rock, and though comparisons like this are oftentimes inaccurate, Dox does exhibit some similarities to the Soul Brotha. "Look a Lot Closer" is a great example of Dox-1's knack for production. Some of Dox-1's other great productions include "Bang S@#T", "Pay-Per-Skillz" (both tracks from Child's Play), and "Lonnie B Promo (Power 92 FM)". His beats are all good, the only exception being "In the Game", which is a bit of a let down.

MC, Micsource, is as good on the mic as Dox-1 is behind the boards. With unique phrasing, clever word play, and an interesting voice, Micsource's verses are ear catching. While most of Micsource's lyrics are of the "get the party started" variety, he does take the time to touch on other topics. The lost-love inspired "Moments (Remix)" gets a little personal. However, Micsource addresses the personal while not taking himself too seriously, which is a refreshing change of pace.

It Is What It Is has the same flaws you're likely to find on just about every mixtape; it's overindulgent, there are some weak guest appearances, and there are some tracks that don't fit in well with the rest of the material. For example, there is a string of Dirty South inspired songs in the middle of the album that sounds out of place. Also, "Mixtape Massacre 1" features a never ending verse by Iceberg that redefines the word "tiresome". Still, these are forgivable problems since this is a mixtape, not an official album.

With perhaps the most fitting title ever, It Is What It Is offers all of the positives and negatives that one would expect from a mixtape. As a promotional tool, it's successful in the fact that it shows that both Dox-1 and Micsource are not only good at what they do, but they also bring out the best in each other. I'm looking forward to hearing a full-length album from The Grown Folks, so I'd say It Is What It Is accomplishes its primary goal.