Memphis Bleek
534
Mercury
Reviewed by: DJ Beatz (12/10/2005)
The fourth album from Memphis Bleek, brings us lively hip hop music,
lyrical raps with a strong Roc-A-Fella, Jay-Z and MOP feel to it. This
shouldn't be a surprise given that Bleek is of course a resident of Roc-
A-Fella and the album features appearances from Jay-Z and MOP. Featuring
production by Swizz Beats, Just Blaze and underground hip-hop sensation,
9th Wonder, this album is the most crystal clear representation of Bleek
that you'll hear.
Named in honour of the place that created him, 534, the album began at
the home of Roc-A-Fella A&R Gimmel "Young Guru" Keaton. According to
Bleek, the setup was key to defining the tone of the album, "I just
wanted to get back to the place where I started. Go back to what I'm all
about. It's like when I first started rhyming. I had a friend who was a
DJ and we'd make records at his place. We'd use the headphones as a
microphone. We just wanted to be making music; we had to be doing it. We
were that hungry."
A magnificent album, mixing hard core hip hop such as 534 with soulful
tunes like Infatuated. If you're a Memphis, Jay-Z or even a Roc-A-Fella
fan you won't be disappointed.
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