Consequence - Take ‘em To The Cleaners Mixtape

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I’m not sure where this title came from as I always thought a mixtape was a collection of short portions from an artist. Yet here we have a collection that could easily pass for an LP, and if hosted by Kanye West means almost completely produced by Kanye West, then it is very accurate. I came across Consequence on The College Dropout and on the track, Spaceship a favourite of many including myself, so when I saw this LP, I knew it would be worth a listen. Actually Take ‘em To The Cleaners reminds me of The College Dropout mainly because of West’s heavy influence. This will translate to underground and commercial hip hop music lovers taking to this release.

Kanye drops several rhymes, in fact with over half the LP featuring his vocals, I wouldn’t be surprised if you mistake it for his second LP! Amongst these is my favourite, I See Now featuring Little Brother. I also enjoyed Yard To Yard featuring Rhyme Fest and The Incredible Hulk, a playful track about boozing it up featuring John Legend. Legend helps instrumentally, as well as vocally, while other production comes from 88 Keyes, 9th Wonder and Devo Sprinsting who puts together another one of my favourites, And You Say. This contains a classic hip hop beat with some cool R&B vocals. Some sweet soul is added to the mix through tracks like Getting Out Of The Game and So Soulful.

Common and Talib Kweli feature on the battle track Wack Niggas but relationship type tracks are more plentiful Trains, You and Your Nigga and I See Now. The LP may be the new start Kanye was looking for, as it solidifies and showcases John Legend as an artist and continues to whip out his trademark production of sweet samples and crisp drum patterns. Consequence’s style isn’t overly unique, but it does set him aside from a few thanks to the good mix of playfulness and bravado. It is a little lazy, but bold enough not to put you asleep. Quence’s material is nowhere as socially conscience or thought provoking as West’s, but just as potent instrumentally and with his more fun, unpolished façade, would appeal to a wider audience and still keep the West name firmly on the map.

Available through Sure Shot Recordings