Soganic Music Presents The Sum Up ’09

After realizing that we had a lot of (free) music out there for ’09, we decided to group some of the tracks together for this ep – for those who might have missed them when they were originally released.

This EP features myself, K-Mynez & Lagbara and special guests Jonesy, Kahli Abdu, SoloCypher, X3m & LabMatik. We also through a couple bonus tracks as well.

Finally got a chance to get the instrumentals up for GSTM. Click the link(s) to download!

Peace

http://payloadz.com/go/sip?id=1138209&aff_id=3924

Peep what RapReviews.com had to say about GameShift: The Movement. This is actually a balanced review – unlike what was written about Soul Purpose. At any rate, I appreciate Steve taking the time to check it out.

RapReviews readers were first introduced to ScholarMan over a year ago on the album “Soul Purpose.” Having landed the assignment of covering his album myself I was fairly critical of the overall product, feeling the accompanying press release made promises a brand new rapper simply couldn’t deliver on. “Soul Purpose” didn’t live up to even my own modest expectations, proving what I thought after reading an overblown one sheet was right all along. That’s not entirely fair to ScholarMan, a rapper who may be just as hard working and eager to succeed as Gift of Gab or Nas even if he posesses only a modicum of their lyrical talent. At least in terms of his production skills ScholarMan has shown promise on his CD and a few others (most notably “Mission IsPossible” by TrueBless). That leads me to believe ScholarMan could produce a better album than his initial offering. Since Soganic Music decided to take a chance and send us another ScholarMan CD, we should give ScholarMan another chance and see if he can live up to a moniker which implies a more intelligent rap style than we’ve heard thus far.

“Gameshift: The Movement” opens with the short “Make Your Mind Up,” blending together a softly tapped drumline with pianos and a plucky guitar melody.

“They say I talk about real hip-hop, way too much
I say we don’t talk about it enough
Let me hear you say praise to those MC’s that’s keepin the game balanced
Those that share they views are now walkin around silent
Leaders in they own right, see we the guiding light
I’m tryin to go down in history for the rhymes that I write”

It’s too early for ScholarMan to go down in history, but he definitely seems to have stepped his game up a little (no pun intended). The production on “The Movement” is even better, a jazzy organic type style that could be favorably compared to the late J Dilla. If anything I wish SM had mixed his vocals DOWN a little bit so I could hear the beat more clearly.

“Yeah, yo, skills I have lots keep my ear to the block
The game got faith in me like the people got in Barack
I, demand my shot like LeBron in the hole
I processed that Bush he made the economy fold
We were, bought and sold now we sell ourselves out
for a little bit of cash, oh here comes the bailout
No quittin – consistantly spittin
Even when times rough, not givin up, seek wisdom”

Congratulations SM. If this were a “Game” you’d have moved up two levels in rank and would now be fighting tougher opponents. I like the mix of political views, pop culture and hip-hop spirituality that SM weaves together on this track. SM largely sticks to fighting the powers that be, as evidenced by tracks like “Our All” that punch you in the head with a Malcolm X sample right at the tart. ScholarMan’s biggest scholarly area of concern seems to be that electing Obama to office didn’t automatically help the downtrodden and discriminated of America, so he’s constantly looking for a way to “Work it Out” with a movement of empowerment and self-awareness.

Duets are few and far beteen on “Gameshift: The Movement” but when they do occur they work. K-Mynez shows himself to be morally outraged at the repulsiveness of songs like “Laffy Taffy” while sharing the mic with SM on “What You Puttin’ Back.” The chorus says it all for both men: “We represent real hip-hop, we never flip-flop/Could care less about the things that your clique got/It’s more what you puttin back, future what we lookin at/Hot beats and rhymes, yeah we cookin that.” TrueBless shines when he cameos on “Still” too, a song with a high-pitched and seemingly sped up looped melody that works perfectly. “Still see the fields, still see the plains/Still bein killed, still feel the pain/still packin steel, cotton brand names/Has it really changed from the whips and the chains?” A provocative question to be sure, but the song does not offer the listener easy answers – just a head-nodding beat and fresh rhymes.

While it’s true that I never underestimated SM’s potential as a producer, I’m happy to report that his lyrical ability has now EXCEEDED my expectations on “Gameshift: The Movement.” Vocally he reminds me of what Diamond D would be if he hadn’t gotten lazy lyrically and given up on trying to have nice rhymes to go with his beats. While SM’s beats are not on a Diamond D level yet, the fact that he’s a good producer and better rapper makes for a product that compares favorably to “The Huge Hefner Chronicles,” which means this is an album I can cautiously recommend. SM’s flow is still a little too monotone, his production style is occasionally repetitive, and just because the rhymes have improved since his last album doesn’t mean he can’t continue to build. If this really is a “Movement” then ScholarMan needs not stop here – he can keep getting better and so can the rest of hip-hop; well except for those “Laffy Taffy” cats.

Music Vibes: 7 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 6.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7 of 10

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_03_gameshiftmovement.html

Check out the video for “Our All” from my latest album GameShift: The Movement. Directed by myself and camera assistance from my brother Larry.

HipHop-Jam.net (Germany) review of GameShift: The Movement:

“Incredible jazz production. Great storyteller, strong emcee and production skills. A very good album.” Rating: 4/5

PopMatters.com review of GameShift: The Movement:

“ScholarMan’s flow and lyrics are as fresh as ever and, in the end, are what make GameShift a worthwhile spin.” Rating: 6/10

HipHopLinguistics.com review of GameShift: The Movement:

“ScholarMan never disappoints me. Every January, I find myself thirsting for dope hip-hop to start the year with. And every January, ScholarMan drops a new album that helps quench this thirst – while simultaneously getting me amped for the year to come. This year’s album, “GameShift: The Movement,” is arguably the Maryland emcee’s best work to date – and was definitely worth the year-long wait.” Rating: 4.5/5

URB.com review of GameShift: The Movement:

“Get comfortable, because rapper/ producer ScholarMan is about to drop some knowledge on you so-called hip-hop heads. Maryland has never really been known for its hip-hop scene either (aside from the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area’s affinity for go-go music and Wale), but all that could change with the introduction of ScholarMan to the masses. His new album, Gameshift: The Movement is set to drop January 2009 and features enlightening tracks like “So Close Now” and the lead single “The Answer II.” Considered a political artist by some and a revolutionary by others, ScholarMan’s rhymes resonate on the highest level. “I might actually free minds,” he declares. School is officially in session, kids.”

ScholarMan “GameShift: The Movement” Album Review
By: Nathaniel Long
Rating:

ScholarMan never disappoints me. Every January, I find myself thirsting for dope hip-hop to start the year with. And every January, ScholarMan drops a new album that helps quench this thirst – while simultaneously getting me amped for the year to come. This year’s album, “GameShift: The Movement,” is arguably the Maryland emcee’s best work to date – and was definitely worth the year-long wait.

Why I Like This Album:

1. It is soulful, positive and inspirational. Something about Scholar’s music has always come across as motivational to me. I don’t know if it’s the soulful production, the positive lyrics, or the inspirational themes and topics – or simply a combination of all three – but “GameShift: The Movement” is another ScholarMan album that just makes you feel good. The album opens up on this vibe with tracks like Give It To You, The Answer II, and Our All.

One of my current favorites is Work It Out, in which Scholar drops the following verse that epitomizes this inspirationally-conscious vibe. The verse talks about being part of something positive and great:

ScholarMan is in the place to be, I spit it for the fake to see/
These motherfuckers hate to see we making moves great to be/
Part of something – something greater than just you and me/
To the kids you can be whatever you want to be/
Don’t let nobody tell you anything that’s different/
Don’t rush to sex, it’s okay to keep it innocent/
Don’t get deterred and revert to all those drugs and things/
Peer pressure stay away, make sure you use your brain/
I know it’s easy for me – we walking different paths/
But I been in your shoes, and yes those days won’t last/
Pick a road, hopefully it’s to success/
Stay determined and you will be the best/

2. Good love songs. From my perspective, it’s not easy to make a hip-hop love song that’s not corny. I don’t know why, but that’s just how it is. In GameShift: The Movement,” ScholarMan closes out with So Close Now and The One I Believe In, two emotionally-charged ballads that show the talented emcee speaking from his heart in a way that very few rappers can do well. The following verse from So Close Now shows Scholar’s unique ability to vocalize his feelings in rhyme:

We were destined, I reckon that we were planned out/
Like a wanted birth, you and I stand out/
We blend well let communicate greatly/
Work as a team making big moves lately/
When I first met you, just knew I had to get you/
You seen special in me – you found potential/
It’s you who I cater to, over time paid my dues/
This I admitted as well, mistakes I made a few/
But you still showed love, you kept your faith in me/
That open part of your heart, I felt that vacancy/
And now it’s plain to see that you and I were made to be/
I take it now to avoid any latency/

3. Several tracks are politically-conscious. More so than any of ScholarMan’s past albums, “GameShift: The Movement” talks about several modern-day political issues, dropping several verses criticizing the manner in which we handle a variety of situations on both a foreign and domestic front. However, Scholar always keeps it positive, ending all verses with optimism and calls to action. A good example of this can be found in the following verse from War of Words:

They allow drugs across the border then soldiers go out and slaughter/
Claiming they protecting the freedom our sons and daughters/
Bigger agenda, deeper hole they digging into/
The bodies of the innocent people found in the center/
Freedom of speech but now they issued that a margin/
Don’t cross the line or a prison sentence you bargain/
Your blood is what you sign with it, freedom get your mind in it/
This corrupt system truth you can’t find in it/
Search deep don’t be discrete when you sleep/
Let ‘em know your position, man we can’t come off as weak/
Get in the streets and let’s implement change/
And do what we can for an intricate gain/

4. Storytelling. If there’s one thing I wish ScholarMan would do more, it would be to create more storytelling tracks. As an emcee, Scholar does a great job creating dialogue and advancing events, situations and themes through his lyrics. This ability can be seen in the “Hood Stories” series Scholar has advanced through his last three albums.

“GameShift: The Movement” introduces the third installment – Hood Stories Vol. 3 – which tells the story of a young man named Raheem who is coerced into robbing the neighborhood’s biggest drug dealer. However, the strategy does not go according to plan, and a big surprise awaits Raheem in the end:

He opens the door, two shots to the chest/
Execution at its best – the dealer had on a vest/
Raheem was all shook up, the guards come runnin’/
Click clack, get it done and, about to get gunnin’/
But the dealer yelled stop, looked Raheem in his face/
With his last few breaths he said, ‘You made a mistake’/
Gone into the dresser drawer, moved some stuff aside/
And what Raheem found is gonna blow your mind/
Pictures of his mother and him when first born/
Love letters and letters torn – a young woman with scorn/
The dealer was his father, he just followed the same path/
A life of crime and violence to gain cash/
His father died, a gun is at Raheem’s temple/
The ending is clear man, it’s very simple/

Overall: I like every track on this album, which has been in constant rotation for over a week now. Dope lyrics, soulful production and a positive vibe – everything a hip-hop head could ask for. I highly recommend picking up a copy. Favorite tracks include Our All, Work It Out, Hood Stories Vol. 3, What You Puttin’ Back, The Answer II, Give It To You. Peace.

Album Track Listing:

1. Make Your Mind Up
2. The Movement
3. Give It To You
4. Our All
5. The Answer II
6. Work It Out
7. What You Puttin Back (feat. K-Mynez)
8. War of Words
9. Hood Stories Vol. 3
10. Cant Turn Back
11. Still (feat. TrueBless)
12. So Close Now
13. The One I Believe In

Related Link

GameShift: The Movement

$9.99

Track Listing:

1 Make Your Mind Up
2 The Movement
3 Give It To Y
4 Our All
5 The Answer II
6 Work It Out
7 What You Puttin Back (ft. K-Mynez)
8 War of Words
9 Hood Stories Vol. 3
10 Cant Turn Back
11 Still (ft. TrueBless)
12 So Close Now
13 The One I Believe In

[ press release ] [ related link ]