Search - Joell Ortiz :: The Brick: Bodega Chronicles

Wake Up Hip Hop, Go To Sleep Hip Hop (Rating: 8 out of 10- -

Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 07/31/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Joell Ortiz' album "The Brick: Bodega Chronicles" is a dope LP. To have an accurate view on the way Ortiz sounds: imagine Fat Joe with 10 times better rhymes and you'll get the idea. A few things stood out to me was the way Ortiz sounded, like he was mad hungry. Listen to all the parts of "125" (especially part 2) and hear how hungry he sounds as he goes for almost 5 minutes straight. My favorte is "125 Part 3 (Connections)" featuring Ras Kass, Stimuli, Graph, and Gab Gotcha. In the beginning of the album Ortiz reps the BK on "Brooklyn Remix" with the help of Cashmire, Maino, Big Daddy Kane, and Solomon. Also another thing I notice is that Ortiz raps about the struggles in his life and how he lived to get signed. "Keep On Callin'" features Akon about record companies blowing up his phone to sign him. The lead single "Hip Hop" is and ode to the craft and how it has influenced him.



A few tracks that I didn't like that much, like "Brooklyn BS" and "Latino". I just wasn't feeling those tracks, especially the former as Ortiz does the repeatition of saying "so what" before every line. Also lack of subject matter as most songs Ortiz rhymes about hustling (as if its a tradition to fill your album up about hustling). I understand that Ortiz lived that life, but after a while, one will get tired of it.



Overall "The Brick: Bodega Chronicles" is a dope album. Joell Ortiz shows he is real hungry on his debut. I wouldn't necessarly place Ortiz as one of the best ever, but he does have heavy momentum from this album. Hopefully he'll hold on to it when his next album comes out, because I'll be checking for it. Peace.



Lyrics: A

Production: A

Guest Appearances: B+

Musical Vibes: A



Top 5 Tracks:

1. 125 Part 3 (Connections) (Featuring Ras Kass, Stimuli, Graph, and Gab Gotcha)

2. Hip Hop

3. 123 Part 2 (Fresh Air)

4. Keep On Callin' (featuring Akon)

5. Brooklyn Remix (featuring Cashmere, Maino, Big Daddy Kane, and Solomon)"

Heat rises, expect to see him on the top

....... | philadel | 05/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Joell Ortiz really shows you what he is made of on this CD. Through out this whole album you can hear his true passion, and love for hip hop. Ortiz soaked up all of the lyrics from the legends back in the day such as Kool G Rap, Krs-0ne, Big Daddy Kane, and Rakim he has that same quality rhyme texture. He is not afraid to spit bars for a good 4 minutes on a song with no hook. Joell is going to be around for a long time, and i can tell he will be dropping much more classic material for the future. As for "The Brick" i believe that it is a teaser but it is a classic teaser. the songs that really stand out are; all of the 125 tracks especially the (The Bio) and (Connection), A Night In My P's, Caught Up, Brooklyn B*******, and Time Is Money. I think it is unfair that he has been getting compared to Big Pun, which is only natural because he is big and Purto Rican but he will over come that just by continuing to be him self."

Young fat joe with a touch of pun

Kurupt | chicago | 02/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yo this kat came out guns blazing. Sounding extremely hungry and spitting rapid fire rhymes like kool g rap in his prime. Joell ortiz created a very impressive debut album. He reminds me of fat joe when he was dope (don cartegena). With strong production, dope lyrics, and some dope guests (immortal technique) this album is a winner. Definitely cop this one it is a keeper."