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Review: This Is The PheneMix Vol.2 - Phene (DJ Dub Floyd)
Wassup ya’ll. As promised a few weeks back, the in-depth review of Phene’s second installment of “This is the PheneMix.” It’s a mixtape so, in my humble opinion, no numerical value can really be applied since it’s not 100% original. However, I highlighted my favorites. No more foreplay…let’s get straight to it, RAW!
Wassup ya’ll. As promised a few weeks back, the in-depth review of Phene’s second installment of “This is the PheneMix.” It’s a mixtape so, in my humble opinion, no numerical value can really be applied since it’s not 100% original. However, I highlighted my favorites. No more foreplay…let’s get straight to it, RAW!
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Intro – I liked this. The opening concept is a 90s vibe and Phene/Dub put a newer creative spin on it. Good way to start off a mix-tape by setting the premise via hip-hop ‘ingredients’ and ‘cooking’ in the kitchen with cuts, scratches, etc…and it doesn’t hurt that Phene reps Philly. Real classic hip-hop feel to it.
Heroic – Cool track. Sample was alright and the beat was as well. Phene’s flow really complemented it though. Switched it up a couple times and still maintained.
Dreamer – Another decent track. I’m not a big fan of the new hip-hop/RnB/techno sound. I like how Phene stuck to the track-name topic in his own way on the first verse. Going away from actually rapping and spittin so hard would have made the track a bit better, since it’s not tailored towards a ‘rapper’ to begin with. Still pretty good though.
Feel Free – Again, the more international sound: Vocoder vocalist on the hook and a few “OOOO-oooh”’s here and there. Phene was on point lyrically. The ‘Billups’ and 'Love Lockdown’ references were nice. (Won’t spoil it for those who haven’t gotten a chance to listen…this time)
Onslaught – I love the original track and if you’re going to do a remix to a track Slaughterhouse did, you gotta come correct. The sports references throughout gave it a nice touch and kept it relative to those who follow sports. Subject material was good and he came with the lyrics again...favorite line: “Hit the wrong red-bone, cats’ll snag your verizon and drag you to a dead zone. Somethin like a Spartan…I’m in the South, parked up, ante-ing(?) my weight like Cartman.”
Today – First off, ill hook/beat. I like the Piano ballad style. Not too fancy, but not boring either. Inspirational touch and an actual attempt to be on-tune and vocalize and it matched the beat perfectly. Most of all, it let Phene dominate in whatever way he chose. He painted a pretty solid picture of a day-to-day struggle: “I’m tired of this job, my money’s kinda tight, rent’s due by tomorrow, and the cable’s due tonight…” And this track is pretty versatile because it’s not entirely artist biased. Standout line: “And who am I to tell these children not to slang when my money situation makes me wanna do the same”
Hustlaz Muzik – Solid flows/beat. Content starts off a bit dark but nothing too gloomy. The beat adds to it too. Good track all-around. City Haze with the alley and Phene with the hoop.
Mellodramatic – Phene shouts out Philly and then goes in. Real uptempo beat, kinda reminds me of a Freeway track but Phene brings his own flow/style to it.
All My Life – I really like this track. First true ‘reminiscence’ track and he brought it from beginning to the end. Not so much a story track but a brief walk in Phene’s old J’s…the same one’s his old girled liked more than she did him…lol.
Gone – That beat = filthy! (Or should I say “Philthy”) And what better beat to lay out your ‘reppin’ verses on? Really dope piece of work and his attitude comes out big-time on this one. Illy bar: “’7’ is the number of God, ‘1’ is because we’re all one, ‘7-1-7’ where I’m from, ‘7-7-0’ where I run, this shit’s forever so you can never hear I’m done”
Saviors – The sample on this beat sounds really familiar. Can’t quite remember where it’s from…but I digress, the beat is really smooth with those horns and the 70s theme music feel to it. Good riding through the city vibe. Hot bar: “We on another level, plateau, higher than, rest in peace Aaliyah I gotta ‘Try Again’”
Runaway With Me – Back-to-back smooth/’70s feel’ tracks. This one, being slowed down a bit and about taking a lil mama away from her man and out the hood. Base guitar chords are nice too.
Love Hangover – I really dig this one. Beat is dope and Estelle dig her thing on the hook. The slight intermission after the first hook really sets it up before Phene sets it off. He really spit it well on this one. Lyrics were on point and the flow was flawless: “I get behind her behind and light that ass up like brake lights” Bang!
Chase – This seems to be the RnB artist’s (Tenile) track with Phene being featured…and he kills it. “Stop runnin from your past…you’re going nowhere fast”: He chimed in with that during her hooks and it fit nicely and matched the theme of course. I would insert a line/bar but its pretty dope throughout…give it a listen and pick your poison.
Ask Anybody – Another philthy track! Dope beat/sample. Real simple, Premier/Dilla-ish. Sorta reminds me of a beat on “The Boodocks.” Phene went in on this one; he really attacked it in all phases/aspects.
Much More – Now this sample I recognize! Beat reminds me a lot of “Why You Hate The Game” (by The Game ft. Nas and Marsha Ambrosia of Floetry.) Phil Nash and Phene go in HARD on this one. This might be the most lyrical track on this mixtape. The cuts and scratches bring it to life even more. Don’t want to give any away though lol. Kudos to the beat switch at the 1:42 mark…ill. Yummy Bingham does her thing on the hook as well.
Like a Champion – I like the Buju sample, reminds me of a Swizz beat production. Verses laced with swag, ass, and how you use either to get the other. Overall solid track.
Money, Power, Respect – Another classic beat/track. I liked this one too. He brought it lyrically in a short time-span with all the cuts/scratches (which were on point btw): “…bitches fightin til the end like Hilary…” lol.
Everybody Knows – I really like this track. Not everyone can do a story track and do it well and Phene does his thing on this one. And the subject material complements the original track very well even though Phene made this remix his own. It could very well be official. Niyah and Angel are two very real females…
Rescue You – The “Got to getcha” track. Phene has a nice chill flow on this one. Not too lengthy and not too lyrical, but solid nonetheless.
Holding Back – This is also a favorite beat of mines on this mix-tape. Really smooth and chill and the sample is on point. Perfect ride-out track/outro for a mixtape. It has an insightful and retrospective feel to it and the content throughout reflects just that.
