Tha Album Review: "Dilla Pickles"

“The veteran don’t get bitter, he gets better.”

This is a line spoken by Kish in the song “Hoodafukayoo?” off the brand new album/mixtape from hip hop artist, Dan-e-o. That one sentence speaks volumes on the state of not only hip-hop, but music, sports and life. Too often we hear from those who paved the way for us merely complaining about the way things are compared to how they use to be. Very rarely do they do something about it.

Dan-e-o did.

For months we’ve heard about this “Dilla Pickles” album he was working on. We’d get some of the songs played at the end of Tha O Show, just teasing us. And what we got was awesome. “Dilla Pickles” reminds me of a time where you could put a record on or pop a cassette in and just let it play. There was no skipping ahead to a “better” song or past one that wasn’t as good as the one you heard on the radio.

“Dilla Pickles” from start to finish is one of the most entertaining hip-hop albums I have heard in years. “Dilla Pickles” is a two in one album for free. Yes, I said free. How many other artists are willing to do that and have it be some of the best music you’ve heard? Not very many. Dan-e-o has managed to put together something that reminds us of why we got into hip-hop in the first place: lyrics, beats and a message.

The album starts off with what can only be described as a war cry. “Break It Down” is Dan-e-o’s emancipation proclamation. His warning to the world of hip-hop. “Here's how hip-hop’s supposed to sound and I refuse to let you bitch ni**as break it down!” What else is there to say? “Check The Grind” featuring Famous is a song that you can't help but bounce your head to.

“Legacy” featuring Ian Kamau (who has fast become one of my favorite MC’s) is a cool ass song where Dan-e-o explains to us how Michael Jackson influenced him and his journey through music. “Yesterday” is the song we all sing when we lose the one that got away. A very pain filled song that still has the ability to make you nod to the beat. “Lose Your Mind” featuring Chemist is one of the most bragging ass songs I’ve ever heard. Dan-e-o and Chemist let us know that if you want real music then look no further than this.

“Hoodafukayoo?” featuring Kish has one of the sickest beats and rhymes recorded. I mark hard for this song. So very hard. “This is what it sounds like when real ni**as put it down right.” Kish reminds me of a harder Rakim. Yeah, I just said that. In just over 2 minutes Dan-e-o and Kish murder most rappers in the game right now. How in the hell can someone rap about Tom Green’s career and make it sound hype?

“Crushin’” is “Kama Sutra’s” nasty ass younger brother. “Haterz” featuring marveL lets us know that Dan-e-o is around to save music from itself. Too much shit on the radio that is being given to us and we gladly eat it even though it makes us sick.

“Last Minute” featuring Conwell is a suicide note to everyone. Full of regret, anger and fear. This song would make me shit myself if there was a rap battle and Dan-e-o stepped up against me. Though he knows he does wrong, he will gladly do whatever it takes to defeat you. Wave the white flag. “Already” is what you play to make panties drop. A love letter to every woman that you love as much as anything in the world. “Believe In God” featuring Promise is a song about faith and success. A smooth song that will have you reflecting on how you carry yourself and what you’re thankful for in life.

“Mice To Men” featuring Bobbleheadz is a song that I had to listen to three times. Not because it was hard to understand but because I needed to hear it multiple times to get everything that was said. LYRICISM. This is what I’m talking about. Songs you listen to multiple times not because they’re being force fed to you but because you love the shit. Slick Mason and Mayo of the group, Bobbleheadz rock this song and Dan-e-o hits you with his fast ass rhymes. Great song. “Don’t Cry” is a song about having belief in yourself as a woman. This is a motivational song that if I had a friend that was feeling shitty about a man I would play this. They would smile for sure.

“For You” is the song you play before “Already.” Ain’t a woman alive that could hear these lyrics and not wanna stay with a guy. And finally there’s “The Factory” featuring T.J. Habibi a.k.a. Sinista Soul. I’ve heard T.J. with Secret Suburbia and loved it. On “The Factory” he lets us know that he and Dan-e-o aren’t going anywhere. That music is something they do not do for fame and cash, but because it's in their soul.

“Dilla Pickles” is my album of the year. And I haven’t even mentioned the mixtape version of the album! Royal Touch pieces together a mixtape that takes what you loved already and changes it enough for you to still love it and listen to it immediately after listening to the original version. How the fuck did that happen?

I recommend this album to anyone who is a Dan-e-o fan, never heard of Dan-e-o, or just want some good ass music. From beginning to end “Dilla Pickles” is an album that you and your friends will love. And for those who doubt me, you can't beat the price.

Download the album HERE and check out Dan-e-o's site HERE.

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