Rhymefest - Blue Collar (Allido/J)

Rhymefest, one of the new wave of hip-hop artists blowing in from the Windy City, drops knowledge on his first major debut.

Something to Prove

After helping Kanye West grab a Grammy for "Jesus Walks," Rhymefest was invited to join West's G.O.O.D Music label. Interestingly, 'Fest turned down an opportunity that many new artists would have jumped on, knowing that there's only room for one star in Kanye's world. Besides, if he was going to be major, he would have to prove himself first. Enter Blue Collar-Rhymefest's thirst-quenching debut.

Blue Collar, a Rhyme-Festival

The self-proclaimed 'wacktose intolerant' MC wastes no time making his mean spit game known on the kickoff "Dynomite (Going Postal)." Over Just Blaze's pounding drums and thick kicks, 'Fest declares: "I got a gun and a plan/ I got the Torah and the Koran/ I got your toddler in the back of a van/ I got a hostage and a list of demands...My style's running to the toilet, you ain't seen sh*t yet. Similarly, fellow Chicago native No I.D. concocts a Latin-tinged soundstripe for Rhymefest's scorching bragfest on "Feva."

Variety

While a combination of wit and grit remains his bread and butter, Fest is equally daft at spittin' ill street blues. On the organ-laced "LSD" with Carl Thomas, the man born Che Smith depicts Windy City street life, while offering tricks on how to call off from that job you hate so much. Like childhood friend Kanye West, Rhymefest occasionally tackles societal ills with heartfelt emotion on the sleek Mark Ronson production "Devil's Pie." Kanye lends his production magic on "More," the better of two Kanye-Rhymefest collaborations. Fortunately, West is relegated to chorus and board duties, allowing Rhymefest to shine on his own debut.

Collaborations & Catch 22s

In fact, collaborators are kept brief and varied throughout Blue Collar. Whether rhyming alongside underdogs Mickey and Bump J ("Chica-Go Rillas"), big dog Kanye ("More" and "Brand New") or Dirt Dog himself O.D.B. ("Build Me Up"), Fest still shines like princess cuts.

Pitfalls are sparse and do little to hurt Blue Collar's overall outlook. "All Girls Cheat," a humorous lash at gold diggers and double timing females, is ruined by Mario's Isley Brothers impersonation and Cool & Dre's rehashed production. Likewise, the album would have been better off "Get Down," where Rhymefest's shot at radio acceptance comes across as forced.

The Bottom Line

• "More"
• "Tell a Story"
• "Devil's Pie"
• "Dynomite (Going Postal)"