Search - Memphis Bleek :: 534

Memphis Bleek- 534

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 05/22/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Memphis Bleek's fourth album "534" (2005) is a solid release. Bleek to me has always been an average MC who provides a few hot joints per album, and he has always played his position as Hov's sidekick. So its no surprise to see Jay-Z leading the way on the albums first standout track "Dear Summer", an exceptional cut which grooves well. Laidback feel good cuts like "Infatuated", "One", are dedicated to love and the ladies. "Smoke The Pain Away" is one of those tracks I skipped over on first glance, and came back to appreciate more, Bleek rhymes about his way to relax and deal with lifes stresses. Bleek elevates his game on two of the albums closing tracks, on "Alright" Bleek shows he is still hungry, then shines on my personal favourite cut the outstanding "Straight Path". I recommend this release to Bleek and Rocafella fans."

Memphis Bleek - 543

Tha Realest | Greensburg, PA USA | 05/18/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After releasing three gold status albums, Memphis Bleek returns on the scene with his 4th solo album, "543." This is the first album released from the new Roc-A-Fella Records and with Jay-Z as the President of Def Jam.



1.534 - Good beat, Bleek rips it, hook is alright - 4/5



2. Interlude - More like an intro to the next track - no rating



3. Dear Summer (Featuring Jay-Z) - Bleek had a solo track on Jay's "Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life" and now Bleek returns the favor...Jay-Z's first solo track since his retirement, Pretty good beat, Jay basically spits one long verse with a voice shouting "for the summer" throughout the track - 4/5



4. Like That - Great beat, Bleek spits viciously, hook is good - 4.5/5



5. Infatuated (Featuring Boxie) - Good beat, Bleek spits good, Boxie's hook is good - 4.5/5



6. The One (Featuring Rihanna) - Good beat, Bleek spits good, Rihanna's hook is good - 4.5/5



7. First, Last, and Only (Featuring M.O.P.) - Good beat, everyone spits pretty good, no hook - 3.5/5



8. Get Low (Featuring Livin' Proof) - Good beat, Bleek and Proof both spit good, hook is lame - 4/5



9. Oh Baby (Featuring Young Gunz) - Good beat, Bleek spits two verses and Chris and Neef spit one verse going back and forth, hook is pretty good - 4.5/5



10. Smoke the Pain Away (Featuring Denim) - Great beat, Bleek spits hard, Denim's hook is good - 5/5



11. Hater Free - Good beat, Bleek spits good, hook is good - 4.5/5



12. Alright - Great beat, Bleek completely murders this track, hook is great - 5/5



13. All About Me - Great beat, Bleek spits good, hook is alright - 4/5



14. Straight Path - Pretty good beat, Bleek spits some deep lyrics about his brother, hook is ok...then the last minute and 30 seconds is just talking then the hook plays again and repeats a couple times...pointless - 3/5





Overall: 55/65



4 Stars



Bleek really stepped up his game with this album. He brings back the energy that he had when he dropped "Coming of Age." Almost all of the production is solid and Bleek's voice and flow is crazy. THE NEW ROC IS TAKING OVER!"

534

Danno Omen | 12/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Memphis Bleek was supposed to carry the torch for the Roc when Jay retired but i think the torch is in Kanye's hands now.This LP is a solid LP and for my first listen to Memphis Bleek with the exception of his couple of verses on Tha Dynasty LP and his couple songs on The Roc Files Vol.1 i was quite pleased.While he is no Jay-Z on the mic he is and average to slightly above average lyricist and he put a solid LP together here.This is another Rocafella album that starts off strong and then fall off a bit in the later stages of the album(Like most Rocafella albums IMO).the opening track "534" has a strong beat and Memph spits some good lines.The Dear Summer track with Jay-z is a good track and even though a lot of people say this has no beat it does(except for the first 5-10 seconds or so)although it isn't the most exciting beat it fits the song well. The lead single "Like That" is a good track but the public wasn't feeling it i guess, just like most of Bleek's singles. The Infastrated song is a good song and is one of the stronger cuts on the album.The song with Rhianna is good as well as the one with the Young Gunz.The Young Gunz and Bleek work very well on the track and all spit some good lines.This album is a good album and it will keep Rocafella heads pleased and occupied until the supposed Nas and Jay-z LP which will be OFF THE CHAIN if it really does come out although it will be interesting to see how well they can work together on an album."