Fat Ray & Black Milk - The Set Up
Released March 4, 2008
Rating 8.5 out of 10
Best 3 Songs (In this case, it's only fair to choose 4):
Lookout Feat. Nametag
Take Control Feat. AB
When It Goes Down
Ugly
OVERALL: In today’s rap market, where radio and ring-tones dictate what the popular sound should be, there aren’t too many producers willing to step outside the box and bring something new to the table. For every Kanye, Madlib, Dilla, Dangermouse, Oh No, Pete Rock, Nicolay and Black Milk, there’s at least 50 or more unoriginal follow-the-leader beat makers flooding the industry with that same old, same old. So, imagine my excitement when I found out that Black Milk (arguably one of the best in the game right now) was releasing another LP in 2008, just 2 months after Caltroit (Black Milk & Bishop Lamont’s CD). My ears perked up like a dog after hearing her owner utter the words “want a treat”(shout out to my home-dog Scout).
Here, Milk’s working with rapper Fat Ray, a name, which I must admit is a new one to me. The two unite for a half-hour’s worth of solid rhymes, and solid beats, the latter happen to be far above average. Though Fat Ray’s not going to blow anybody away with his lyrics, there is still no denying his talent. Plus, rhyming over a Black Milk beat will make anyone sound better.
Biggest Negative: It’s way too short. Black Milk’s production can easily carry an album for more than 30 minutes (see Caltroit and Popular Demand). Even if the running time doubled, and the worst rapper was rhyming, this album would still be hotter than a sunburned fire ant sitting atop a volcano. However, due to the short length, The Set Up will only serve as a tease for any fan wanting to hear more Black Milk.
Biggest Positive: If you couldn’t tell by my comments above, Black Milk’s production is clearly the highlight here. As much as I might complain about the album’s length hindering the final product, it also works to benefit it. Being that the disc (I haven’t copped the vinyl yet) is just over 30 minutes, in the amount of time it might take you to listen to most rap albums (usually around the 60 minute mark) you can listen to this one twice, and believe me, you’re going to have to take this one in at least twice to fully appreciate what’s happening here.
I suggest your first listen be focused on the beats, while blocking out all the vocals. The second time through should be just the opposite; focus on the lyrics while blocking out all the other sounds (this one is a little harder to do). Now, for your third time through, try listening to both at the same time. This should only take up 90 minutes of your time, and I promise you it will not be wasted. You can't honestly tell me you'd rather be watching American Idol or some other brain numbing madness.