Artist: Dopekiid
MIX TAPE: The Most Unlikely to Succeed
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/dopekiids/sets/the-most-un-likely-to-succeed-hosted-by-the-caveman
Genre: Rap, Hip Hop
When you think of American rap locales one thinks of places like ATL, LA, NY. Even my hometown SEATTLE Washington has had its share of popular rap artists over the years. Artists like Sir Mix-A-Lot, LaborOldoninion, Blue Scholers, The Boom Bap Project, No Clure come to mind. One of the fresh new Mix Tapes to come across my desk is not from an Americana Rapper, it’s actually from Ottawa based Dopekiid who just recently released his latest and greatest “The Most Un-Likely To Succeed” MIX TAPE in 2014. This aspect give’s the Tape a vivid Personality and allows the Listener to Connect with the DOPEKIID on a different Level, As opposed to some of the typical “BaGngERs” you could always find from other Artists. HOSTED BY: THE CAVEMAN & Completely Mastered/Engineered By: LJ Jagai (@TheincredibleLj), The Most Un-Likely To Succeed is an EXPLOSIVE introduction to DOPEKIID for Ottawa, The Canadian Music Industry & The World.
The Mix Tape kicks things off with “Intro” and “02 100” two high energy preludes that’s set the stage for a Mix Tape of this caliber with its theatrical musical build, apocalyptic groove, well placed strings and masterful rap flow from Dopekiid. “02 100” quickly explodes and hits hard with no holds barred rap delivery that’s in your face and doesn’t back down an inch. Track 3 “Flamboyant” dishes out hypnotic grooves with well-placed flutes, guitar, and solid low end groove support meshed against a grand slam chorus that is intoxicating. Track 4: one of my favorites “Hallelujah” hits hard and delivers striking rap that’s hot to the touch, with another hooky vibe and subsequent grand slam chorus. As this Mix Tape slowly unfolds I can hear many rap influences reminiscent of Nas, Mobb Deep, DMX, Styles P, Shyne, Fabolous and the LOX. On the other side of the sonic spectrum I can also hear Black Rod, Fat Joe, Cam’ron and Terror Squad. Along the way you can’t help but notice a lot of impressive musical soundscapes layered in the music. The mixing and overall productions strokes is brilliant and packed to the hilt with things like sound effects and sampling/programming that make their point, well placed strings, horn sections, guitar and smooth as silk keyboard and synthesizer accents. The beats are thick as a brick providing solid low end punch, and amazing high/low end touches. The CD has many musical flavors, from hip hop, rap, jazz, blues, R&B, and even psychedelic disco, retro rock of the 70’s. You will find everything from clever rhymes, addictive melodies, lyrics that are thought provoking and rap flows that are masterful. Now turning out attention to Dopekiid – he is a marquee talent from North of the border and should be treated as such. The thing I like the most about the vocal performances is how well Dopekiid handles himself within each genera. Equally as impressive is the X-Factor from Dopekiid as he dabbles in several menacing alter egos with each musical environment. Some tracks are funny and up beat providing old school harmonies, and hooky Motown-type grooves like “Flamboyant”, “One Day” (Young Visionary Pt. III), while others go down are smooth and are extremely melodic like “Ridin (Young Visionary Pr.II), “Young Visionary” and “Vent”. But as expected several tracks hit you right between the eyes with hard core rap swagger and style like “Been Real (50 Bars)”, “Smokeout”, “In This Bxtch” and “I Don’t Wanna Hear About It” (Young Visionary Pt IV)”. There are some true gems on this Mix Tape. At the end of the day this production has everything you would expect from a world class mix tape production.
Song for song, pound for pound “The Most Unlikely to Succeed” is one of the most powerful and hottest Mix Tapes that’s come across my desk in a while. Like a heavy weight fighter this CD goes the full 12 rounds and never once lets its guard down. It has everything from raw intensify, clever lyrics, to songs that are well crafted and hold your attention span perfectly. As a whole this CD possesses allot of variety and versatility. It delivers the typical in your face urban swagger you would expect from a rap production. Even more impressive is the strong production value, infectious rap grooves and the arsenal of songs Dopekiid brings to the table.
These are my favorite tracks: Ridin’ (Young Visionary Pt.II), Been Real, In this Bxtch.
This is a fully loaded MIX TAPE production. So you want an action packed Mix Tape that not only keeps it real from the start, but will also keep you looking over your shoulder – then you should devote 60+ minutes of your time to “The Most Unlikely to Succeed” Mix Tape. Dopekiid is like a powerful drug and makes his presence known to your mind, body & soul. I guarantee you’ll be coming back for more!
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Cyrus Rhodes