As today’s Hip Hop climate is predicated by gatekeepers overlooking lesser known talent, coveted cosigns from iconic figures do wonders in the way of up and coming emcees receiving an otherwise hard earned shine. Amongst the West Coast’s rising phenomena, Top Dawg Entertainment’s Black Hippy crew has found themselves in hopes of eventually following in the esteemed footsteps of Game, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and 50 Cent as the group’s close affiliation with Dr. Dre has netted a lucrative joint venture partnership with Interscope and Aftermath Records. Having trudged tirelessly prior to landmark moments including de facto leader Jay Rock’s aligning with underground sensation Tech N9ne and the massive acclaim garnered from Kendrick Lamar’s 2011 release Section.80, the crew has seen a steady ascent towards prominence that recently hit a fever pitch in the wake of ScHoolboy Q’s Habits & Contradictions released at the top of this year. Ab-Soul has been TDE’s secret weapon, presently riding the wave of their newfound glory with #controlsystem, his fourth release in as many years.
Immediate knee-jerk reactions to the Black Hippy quartet draw comparisons to NWA’s art which imitated life, but there is a comfort to be found in TDE’s camp employing little false pretense having each lived distinctly authentic lives in the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles. Where Jay Rock and ScHoolboy Q respectively retain close ties to the locale’s ubiquitous Blood & Crip sets and Kendrick Lamar’s Compton upbringing kept him neutral albeit surrounded by similar elements, Ab-Soul hails from the less hectic city of Carson with a cerebral forte reminiscent of the suburb’s prior claim to fame Ras Kass.
His strengths bridge the gap between commoners and deep thinkers evidenced by “Pineal Gland,” a prime example of his work testing the comprehension of the average listener and the opposing values of “Mixed Emotions,” an ode to the joys of marijuana consumption and Hip Hop’s ongoing fascination with codeine syrup. To boot, his elevated mindset strays from conventional analysis as he reaches rarified air dissecting the disparity with which promiscuity is viewed between the genders on “Double Standards” and dares to berate society while espousing the virtues of gang unification alongside Detroit’s Danny Brown on “Terrorist Threats.” #controlsystem’s truly somber moments come by way of “A Rebellion” and “Empathy,” both featuring TDE’s longtime vocalist Alori Joh as the project and heart-wrenching “The Book Of Soul” are dedicated to her recent tragic passing.
Ab-Soul’s talent is to be cherished as that of a quintessential emcee, his particular skill set running in sharp contrast to that of his thriving LA based peers whose raps are largely devoid of lyricism and introspection. With #controlsystem he shows great promise having gone from his crew’s underdog to a present spotlight where he is equally confident and conflicted, sharing his pain and conviction through versatile and dexterous flows. The project furthers Top Dawg Entertainment’s winning streak and marks the formal arrival of a cornerstone for this organization, an interestingly deep thinker whose determination and expanding consciousness seek to uplift and shape the world around him.
Instant classic!!!
eh
Idk bout instant classic lol but sure is a dope ass album! Lets not get carried away. Good stuff nonetheless
I hate “instant classic” hyperbole… but this really is. Great review.
Please release on CD.
Black Hippy following through.
Never heard of anything from Ab until this album, it takes a while to get used to his style but once you do shit sounds amazing.
Easily rivals RAP music for hip-hop album of the year so far. What makes this album great is its consistency. It has 17 songs, and they’re all good. He has a balance of subject matter, concepts, wordplay, flow & delivery, nice beats, etc. I predicted Ab-Soul was going hard with this album the moment I heard Terrorist Threats (only song I heard from his at the time) and I was right.
Classic!
Not an instant classic suck my balls people lmao but top 3 releases this year in my opinion
Brillant album!!! unskippable,Great message ,great concept,Very Good MC,a Strong 9/10 for me.
best rapper alive
Ok Eminem, NaS, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, AZ, and more dropped dead. STOP THROWING THE BEST RAPPER ALIVE TO EVERYONE WHO RELEASES A GREAT ALBUM. YOU NEED A MUCH LARGER CATALOG WITH MULTIPLE CLASSICS…
You’re white. Eminem does not have “multiple classics” and the only album even close to being a classic if it is is MMLP. White boys love to just throw Eminem in there with legends just cuz he made them listen to hip-hop. Eminem can rap but his disography makes him not up to par with the rest so stop throwing him into those groups just cuz he made you white boys listen to hip-hop.
Em is definetely up there with the legends. Gtfoh.
Ppl throw Em up there with the legends cuz he’s fucking skilled and will rap circles around your favorite rapper. This is coming from a black guy.
eminem is one of the best emcees alive but he has NEVER released any songs with the depth of subject matter that are on this album
fucking phenomenal. What the game’s been missing
he’s definitely top 2 in tde
5/5
My favorite Album of the year so far. Ab-Soul is on another level. Get at me on twitter @whoispauljr
CLASSIC.
album of the year!!
CLASSIC. HIP HOP CLASSIC. And there’s just nothing else to say, truth be told though, I actually felt this more than Section80. Real talk, Soulo is my number one outta TDE, I hope these motherfuckers blow up bigger than g unit… but prob not, cause they speak that real shit.
Control System, 4EvaNADay, #HnC, Take Me To Your Leader, Straight, No Chaser… THis year been fire.
Yes it was! But Straight No Chaser doesn’t belong to that list of great albums. Reks probably did his thing and was lyrically on point but Statik could have done much better. You should add First Serve instead tho.
Black Hippy takin over. TDE. HiiiPower
For every track being different lyrically, the beat quality, lyrical quality, and features…This was no doubt one of the best albums of 2012 that honestly the Hip Hop game really needed! He aint rapping money, cars, clothes, taking people’s girls because he got money, or selling drugs when he didn’t, and he not talking about killing people…Im glad finally someone stepped outside the box and rapped about something different. Ab-Soul gets 5 stars by me!
Awesome review, and possibly best album of 2012.
Great improvement since Longterm Mentality! Actually Kendrick is my favorite from TDE but I have to admit this is not worse than Section.80.
The people calling this album a classic are the ones who understand the meaning behind it. The cover art, the names of the tracks. Bohemian Grove, Pineal Gland, SOPA, etc…If you don’t see how all of these tracks connect with each other and with the cover art than you will not see this album is a classic. But this project is one of the most original pieces of work and the message is enlightening. That’s why it is a classic.
my soul is dancing
Ab-Soul is an artist I can get outside the box for. Different, super lyrical, and interesting all the way through. Black Hippy is for real.
HipHopDX finally gets it.
4/5
In my opinion this album of the year for at least right now.
until big krit drops
Great album from Soul.
Yo this album was just like Section 80 at first, It took several listens to digest everything. But with Control System Something just felt better to me than Section 80. Of course ab-soul not a better rapper than Kendrick but the way he puts everything together is better in my book. I also feel his story telling and his delivery hits me harder as a listener. The production was great. The only 2 mediocre songs were Sopa and Lust demon and they’re not bad. I have a tone of favorite songs on here but if I had to pic 3 it would be Terrorist Threats, The Book of SOul and Illuminate. And and my boy DANNY Brown destroyed that song, dude is a beast too. I love TDE and I think they have the best group out. Great album , glad I purchased it.
Pretty dope album, very deep for some of us. Not my fav work from Soul however, I prefer his style in the song “Turn me up” Ft. Kendrick. Overall a grea album, just not quite my style, and that why I love BLACK HIPPY! Each memeber has their own identity, which is VERY hard in todays music industry!
Who is the one guy who didnt give this a 5/5?
This album is a 9/10 for me. I don’t believe there is an album that is truly perfect, and thus 10/10, but this album comes REALLY close. Just straight up quality music all the way through. I’ve been bumping it at least once per day since I bought it. Easily the best release from this year with Habits and Contradictions on its heels. It’s only $9. I recommend making a purchase. Support quality music
Even though this site and others have some idiotic people commenting on shit everyday, you can really get a sense of how good a song or album is by reading the comments. Ab-Soul created a project that haters and trolls can’t even talk shit about.
TDE has started a REAL movement for hip-hop… not like the movements claimed by MMG and YMCMB, but a movement to restore hip-hop’s artistic integrity. I own albums by Wayne, Drake, Rozay, Wale, etc. so I’m not knocking what those camps have going on. I can’t even compare it what Odd Future’s doing, which I also am a fan of. I’m just saying that after this release, Black Hippy has to be considered one of the best groups of EMCEES in the game. I stress the word EMCEE, because its obvious that these guys make the kind of music THEY wanna make, not just following trends and being corrupted by the “Control System” that is the corporate record label. They’ll always have my support as long as they maintain this vision for hip-hop music. Hiiipower!!
well said.
Co-signl. Real eloquent
tru dat for real. book of soul is prob. some of the most intricate lyrics ever spoken.
Most underrated artist in the game. This album greatly exceeded expectations. His content is a breath of fresh air from the mess that hip-hop has become. Album of the year so far, followed by his Black Hippy counterpart ScHoolBoy Q’s HnC.
Flawless album 5/5.
man best album of the year
Too ill for words just go buy it. YES go buy it! support the HiiiPower movement and good music!
Best TDE release to this day!!!soulo!!
It isn’t easy to do with 17 tracks, but this is dope from the first second to the last.
5 Stars
This album is amazing, so was his other one.
Ive been part of this HiiiPower movement for a min and this album practically sums up the definition Black Hippy has been trying to show people From Jay Rocks FMH, Kendricks #Section 80, ScHoolBoy q HnC and now Ab-Souls Control System and every mixtape before that and future Albums TDE HiiiPoWer oh and follow me @OmarCalderon_ lol
Im late on the whole Ab-Soul shit, but reading the comments it seems like the album is REALLY GREAT!
better than Section 80 ?
to me it is as a whole.
Nah, lacks the technical ability when he spits compared to Kendrick. However lyrically its on par with it, both albums had different messages but both excellently conveyed
deeper
Personally I think it is better than Section.80 as a whole. His concepts were better and subject matter was deeper, along with being more consistent throughout the album. Section.80 was great and one of the best of 2011 no doubt, Kendrick has a better delivery overall and has better lyrical complexity (in wordplay, not subject matter) but his album just wasn’t as consistent as Control System.
Section.80 had better beats, and Kendrick has a better devliery. But I think some songs of here are superior, particularly “The Book of Soul”. Has to be one of the deepest tracks I’ve ever heard.
not better then section.80 but very close
Nit better than section.80 its a new section.80
This is right behind Section 80. TDE over everything!
This album is dope!
not a bad song on this album. creative, lyrical, and extremely enlightening. ab soul did it with this one
Nit better than section.80 its a new section.80
He deserves a perfect FIVE like The Roots last year. Soulo is on another galaxy. He even said it ” Said I was the under dawg, Turned i’m the Secret WEAPON”. Long Term MENTALITY was great but this one is the greastest release in 2012 so far.
Black Hippy is the new N.W.A. lyrically even better, in NWA only Cube & Eazy-E were dope
Cube wrote all their lyrics. Cube and Dre only real reason why NWA were dope
Eazy-E got a similar sound to Ab-soul and they look pretty similar with the shades
JUST COPPED THIS SHIT FORREAL CUZZ NIGGA GOT THE NICEST ALBUM OUT FOR A SEC, FINNA COP THAT WHOLE TOPP DAWG CATALOGUE THEM SOME REAL STREET NIGGAS NOT LIKE THESE WEAK AZZ NI99AS GAME AND WAYNE BUT SOME REAL NICE DUDES ON THE MIC WHO SPIT FROM THE HEART, THE STREET IS HARD FORREAL BUT THESE NIGGAS GIVE HOPE TO ALL YOUNG NIGGAS IN THE STRUGGLE RESPECT 100 FROM A REAL NIGGA OUT HERE STRUGGLIN
absoul has that honest.life.experience flow that keeps your ears tune into every word. this production all the way around is a #classic.
#TDE HiiPOWER!!!
Starting to agree with you about this being a classic I get more amped everyday I listen TDE HiiiPower!!!
very good support good hip hop
Amzaing album must cop if havent.Real Hip Hop
Fake rappers #thatshitIdontlike
Ab-Soul aint nothin to boast about…now Kendrick ..he’s da man
Guess you skimmed through the album……smh
yeah u clearly didnt listen to this with ur full attention, or ur just not knowledgeable on the subject matter… either way the problem is u, not him
I have no words to describe this album. When you listen to the songs you can pinpoint the actual control systems that we all fall victim to. I expected a lot out of this album and Ab-Soul gave me more. He put so much thought into this and people should recognize it. Buy it if you haven’t.
TDE got the top 2 albums of 2012 so far(Habits & contradictions, control system)and Kendrick and Jay Rock havent even dropped yet not to mention a black hippy album if they wanted to do that. Itz a rap TDE got the belt right now fa sho
1 Of The Best Albums If Not The Best Album This Year! Bin Bumpin It Non Stop Since The Second It Came Out. Oh If Your Ever Saying ”HiiiPoWeR” Its 3 i’s NO MORE NO LESS!!! Get That Shit Right!!
and it’s “you’re”, one apostrophe, one e, no more no, no less.
TDE aint nothin to fuck with.. Q Kendrick & Soulo droppin CLASSICS already! Now Rock gotta drop something that can stand with the rest of them
Simply Dope
Classic
SOUL !!! Number One Artist Of This Time
SOUL !!! #1 Artist Of This Time
Fuck DX why don’t you give him a PERFECT 5???
so dope
hot fire
The last time a group of artists all released accliamed and great albums, was the G-unit era, to bad these guys haven’t gotten the plaques and sucess that Banks,Buck, Game all got but well see
I can’t think of one album released in that “era” that was better than just good. I can think of 3 Black Hippy albums in the last year that have been incredible.
Get Rich or Die Tryin wasn’t better than good? oh.
Classic.
Good shit… lovin the black hippy movement
just downloaded it! fire but no money for youuuu
Support The Artist & Stop Killing Hip Hop
How can you listen to an entire album like this and not wanna pay 9bucks after hearing book of soul? Smh.
I just wish that they would release hard copies of this. I’d like to support by buying, but I purchase at stores, not on the internet.
Jay Rock’s Follow ME Home is a physical and digital release. Section 80 & Habits and Contradictions can be brought from the Top Dawg site. These are signed copies. Control system will probably get the same treatment as Section 80 and H&C
Great album. AOTY nominee hands down.
Incredible album!!!
*****
The guys an innovator like Kendrick, love the style..Probably album of the year..first album I bought in …aaahhh, yeah i can’t remember the last album I bought lol..maybe Atmosphere – Family Sign.
But yeah…5/5 Ab-Soul’s other albums this good?
Nah, his beat selection has never been this good and he never really seemed this focused, still a lot of dope tracks in his catalogue prior to Control System though.
Dope! Album of the year so far! Well damn.
this is a dope album. Lyrically good and the theme of the album is good hip-hop is back with TDE!
havent heard it yet , gonna take a listen
TDE has arguably the two best album’s of the year and they could potentially drop another three (Kendrick and Rock Solo’s and a Black Hippy posse album)! – Will be copping it soon as it is on the TDE Big Cartel store. – I only fuck with physicals.
Oh, Ab-Soul’s beat selection was questionable up until this album, and the production on this album is fire! – Soul never really got aggressive on a track, and it’s songs like Track Two and Pineal Gland where he is spazzin that are my favorites.
this album is dope
this is that shit!!
Shut up you small dick-havin piece of shit. GImme back my panties that you probably wearin right now.
son using my flow
I’m just now getting into the whole TDE/Black Hippy movement but I do not regret it at all. I listened to Ab-Souls earlier tapes last week and I cannot wait to hear #controlsystem. This dude spits the truth.
This review was shit. You barely talked about the album!
BTW- Been listening to this for a few days now and I’m just feeling the first eight tracks at all. After that it gets hot though.
trust me. this was the worst review
this album was amazing though
Amazing Record. Very well done. My Favorite record release this year so far.
1
I respected Soul before this one but never really appreciated his talent as much as the others from TDE but I rate him above Jay Rock and possibly SchoolboyQ now, still not touching Kendrick yet though. Brilliant album, even better message!
5/5
God damn now schoolboy needs to get on his level. Praise to Ali he doesn’t get enough for helping make this and section 80.
Really? IMO Habits and Contradictions is the best TDE joint to date.
Q’s lyrics just aren’t on Kendrick or Soul’s level, he’s got a nice flow with a lot of raw emotion and great songwriting ability but just falls slightly short when it comes to his lyrics.
Q falls a long way short with lyrics. But he brings energy to tracks.
habits and contradictions isnt the best album…that kept my attention for like a month and i probably wont revisit that again..sect. 80 and this are both amazing
You can’t really compare any of the tde memebers. They all have a diverse style they even say that themselves.. i feel they all bring an equal amount of quality music
I love Section 80, but I sometimes feel that Kendrick is trying a bit to hard. Q has a kind of effortlessness that I appreciate. Ab soul is seriously growing on me though. But damn Black Hippy sure is feeding rap back to life. I think we are seeing a resurgence that we haven’t see the likes of since the 90’s.
DX ya’ll think this was better then Section 80? You gave 80 4 stars. Its a good album but i’d put section 80 slightly over this.
Both Dope fucking albums!
Wish there was a physical copy i could cop.
I think if they could re-review Section.80 they would give it a 4.5, I don’t think they realised how good it was until a couple of months later.
agreed….section 80 is better than this…i would give this a 4 and sect. 80 a 4.5/5
agreed, although i’d keep this at 4.5 and give section 80 a 5. that shit is a classic.
I think it’s better, and I’ve never heard Ab-soul outside features and even then I never really thought he was that good.
^^^agreed… Section 80 deserves a 5. I’m 30 and 90% of the albums I consider classics to me were released in the 90s. Section 80 is one of the only albums that have been released in the past 5 years that I can see myself listening to 20 years from now. I know people like to throw the word “classic” around too easily, but in my opinion Section 80 is a definite classic.
Not gonna compare it to any other album/mixtape, I feel that’s a disservice. However I feel it’s the most important released we’ll have this year even with dot dropping in September. Of all the up and coming rappers nobody is gonna be as personal as soul no matter how much they tell you they are. The niggas 23,24 years and can have you damn near in tears by the end of “book of soul” its truly a testament to what passion dedication hard work and desire sound like… Carson looking real briiight right now. @B__LLOYD
Where did you hear Kendrick is dropping in september? I’m sure they will start promoting that within a couple of weeks now that Control System is out the door.
to say he’s the most personal i disagree.. but he is one of the most brilliant for sure. Big K.R.I.T can definetly bring you to reality with some of his songs
soul continues to make hits!
Thank You SouLO
this guy is one intelligent MC
Absolutely stunned.
TDE
Congratulations. Good on him.
TDE is in hip hop yet lil wayne sells millions wtf ?
To doubt Wayne’s Intellegence in the rap game is ignorant to say the least. Jay Rock and Kendrick both worked with Wayne and Ken remade the Carter III, and plus they are a young group and Wayne has been around for a decade, so go hate on Wayne somewhere else clown
Why the fuck are you talking about Wayne? Go to iTunes and buy the fucking album instead of complaining!
Kendrick did not remake Tha Carter 3. What kinda bullshit is that? Also, Wayne has released hot garbage after Tha Carter 2.
I really loved Trophies but I think this has just topped it, album of they year so far. Just hope this isn’t the peak of his career.
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This album is beautiful and brilliant.
http://www.moresureword.com/Kabala.htm
just use yr mind to get to the …. !!
TREE of life
Ab-soul aka Abdi has done it
5 stars
TDE albums are money worth. I never bought an album apart from this camp. section 80, Habits and contradiction and control system are in my music collection. #Hiiipower is the movement
check out the needledrop’s review of this album on youtuve…pretty accurate
it wasn’t accurate. He technically didn’t understand the theme of the album
And he didn’t love the production either….is he fucking deaf?
Album of the year (until kendricks)
Swag.
Swag bitch.
fire
Boring production, horrible singing vocals, Ab is really bad and unatractive on microphone, lack of creativity…. same as Schoolboy Q LP released early this year .. pure garbage … There are only one interisting “Black Hippy” Kendrick Lamar
1.5/5
We know you’re a hater lol, this is better than Section.80.
I am not a hater Ive never heard about Ab-soul before, Ive just listened the album … dont like it, it’s a weed bullshit with weak MC and gay R&B hooks… PERIOD
There are so many better LP’s this year.. but for me no surprise especially Hiphopdx gave to that 4.5 stars… 😀
weed bullshit? simple minds stay in your own lanes and go back to your 2 chainz. dude is obviously WAY over your head.
I see only one “simple” thing .. that LP…
“$4 Vic” alone from new El-P CD is much better than that whole poor CD
i hope Kendrick bashes your skull in with a rock for being such a dick riding faggot, this was an excellent album that a botched abortion child like you would of course fail to appreciate.
you have bad taste in music and lack of understanding about control system. I suggest you start attending library to read couple books to feed your brain. there were no songs in the album about weed so I dunno what song from the album you was listening to.
people don’t get the meaning but still comment; MOFOS GO LISTEN TO BASED GOD ya haters
Solo really came through on this one. The rap game needs BlackHippy.
SOUL BROTHER #2!!!!
MY SOUL # is 10, I FEEL YOUR MUSIC IN EVERY WAY!
I LIVE THE SHIT YOU RAP ABOUT, ALL ANCIENT SECRETS OF LIFE.
Well put together album. Wasn’t to convinced by Ab-soul until listening to #controlsystem.
Pretty damn good
fuck anybody that didnt give this a 5 star real shit .. Hiii Power
f*** anybody that didnt give this a 5 star real shit .. Hiii Power
Decent album. Didn’t really like it, slow and boring. Few standout tracks but meh. Kendricks still the top dawg. Ab can’t make…”hits”…but thats cool hes got some bars.
this is a revolution album and you’ll only like it If you have good taste in music and understand the meaning of control system.
Wanted to like it. But, just didn’t feel it. Ab-Soul IMO can’t carry an album by himself. He’s alright in small quantities, but not for a whole album.
Disappointed this wasn’t as good as Section.80 or Habits and Contracdictions
I felt the same way after the first listen, but after three I’m convinced. It’s a sleeper.
A great album overall. One of the years Top 5 releases (most likely). Witty, inspiring, thought-provoking, and Cinematic. 8.5/10
Not the least bit surprised by the score (I was anticipating it) but tbh given the relatively low scores HHDX has given 20 0r 30 albums in the past two years that truly deserved more, I will lose quite a lot of appreciation for them if they give El-P’s “Cancer for Cure” less than 4.5 That would be foul. Fuck niggas who try to justify their score if its lower.
its a completely reasonable opinion to say that “Cancer for Cure” is a serious Album of the year contender. The best so far for me….
Great album now I need to buy it lol
4/5 imo. So….who’s better, TDE or OFWGKTA?
TDE by far. OF is koo, but quality wise. TDE is pushin lyrical tallent and both groups keep doing what they want to do, but in aspects of the game.. TDE is killin the game.
That a joke? Tyler is the best one out OF and he couldn’t even wash Jay Rock’s jockstrap. There is no comparing TDE to this generation because they are this generation, period. OF is a fad for angry kids with no emotional outlet and will fade into the background just like every other shitty ensemble like them..
This album is a combination of both projects from label mates Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar….Habits & Contradictions from the Section.80 kids breaking free of Control Systems simply
3/5 stars its ok. His lyrics are ok his singing is actually alot better for example “Empathy” is a hot joint. The Kendrick Lamaar feature was a let down. Kendrick did his thing but that Section 80 feel wasn’t their just one dude with heat and Ab-Souls’ just rappin. I see he got a strong street team because aint no way 90 people giving this 5 stars unless his street team hopped online and hit this shit up. OC “Trophies is waaaay better and he got like 55 comments. IDK?
PS let me guess your one of those who think Meek Mill had the Free Album of the year huh? Because something is obviously wrong with you if you thought this album sucked…This had everything people have been asking for in a Hip Hop album…Good beats, great lyricism, every track was about something different, he had good features, and he wasn’t rapping about some fantasy life he living that we know he not. Sure he rapping about weed but how many people on here don’t already smoke that’s his lifestyle…Need I say more…? You’re just dumb ass trying to hate when you have nothing to support why this album was a 1/5 stars according to you…
Section 80 is garbage.
you’re unintelligent therefore, I understand you.
Man, Habits and Contradictions is better than section80! Section 80 was boring as fuck to me!
If u thought section 80 was boring u simply didnt understand it
your favourite rapper must be riff raff
2 great comments…
Section.80=Control System>Habits & Contradictions>Follow Me Home
Hence..
Kendrick=Ab Soul>Schoolboy>Jay Rock’
The equals signs means i just can’t decide. I’m originally a diehard kendrick fan, but after this I’m scratching my head
5/5. Topics are strong, Lyrical content is there.. this guy pretty much did something NEW in the game for once, and i like how he touches on political topics. He shows intelligence and combines it with the vibe of bein high from a O possibly. Great step for TDE.
couldnt agree with you more. TDE is the shit!
Is it worth buying guys? The only hard copy I bought lately was Trophies and that shit is off the chizzle my nizzle.
Im listening to it right now. All I gotta say is TDE is the shit right now. These albums remind me of Wu releases in their prime. No they are nothing like the Wu, they are completely original. However, they are similar in the fact that when you pickup a TDE album, every track has you wondering what its going to sound like. Shit is so original that you never know what its gonna sound like. And just like a classic Wu release, it gets better the more you listen to it. Replay value is off the hook. If this album keeps progressing the way it is, I’m gonna give this a 5/5 just like I did Trophies.
Wow!!! Like classic Wu? Thats a little overboard. Wu now don’t even sound like classic Wu? This album is cool but not as good other joints out now. OC “Trophies” is that business. Also Planet Asia “Black Belt Theater” is raw too. What Ab-Soul is doing is cool. I like the movement but he is not the caliber of artist deserving 5 stars, 3 at best and thats mainly for his message and effort. Kendrick Lamaar is the best out of that movement and Ab-Soul is no Kendrick. Not even a little bit. If you gave this a 5 branch out and get the two LP’s I just mentioned
My first reaction when I heard this was it’s not as good Longterm Mentality, but this albums’s definitely a grower and I’m appreciating it more and more.
TDE are doing great things in the game. Hope they keep it going for a long time.
I just like how SOPA is the formula for a young money song, and it’s better than any song the label has ever put out lol
Word so true
Ab-Soul puts out some pretty introspective shit with Control System, definitely need more rappers like him. If you liked Longterm Mentality, you’ll be happy to hear that this is even better.
yeah, the dude did go hard on this ablum! shit was awesome
worth 5/5 by all means. Creative and exclusive album, with many lounge mystical style beats and melodies, hooks are on time, spitting, rhyme content and topics touches deeply. So its strange to hear from someone it’s dis and dat. Strong release and representer TDE this album is.
one of the best albums so far this year.
wasn’t feeling the first six or seven tracks on this. second half way better.
AOTY
youtube Green Nation Mafi G2
I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but I’m not feeling the trippy instrumentals. Track Two and Black Lip Bastard are MEAN though
Those are the 2 worst tracks arguably… Obviously someone doesn’t listen to words. The only two songs that I really can’t get anything meaningful out of, nor do they fit the overarching theme. Otherwise flawless album
Soul seamlessly blends deep philosophies about the world and the variety of corrupt control systems with the feelings of isolation opposed with the feelings of being part of something bigger at the same time. The album is magnificent from brilliant song-writing to soulful production to the dopest MC’s today. TDE.
Well said.
Its cool but I still prefer schoolboy Q
Support real music. #BlackHippy #Hiiipower
I’ve been saying since 2006 that this dude was destined to the top, not to be amongst the best but even higher than that. solo got 3 eyes on some weird shit and with the help of the team he has around him, he will get the exposure he needs to be considered the best at this. Control System is dope but don’t sleep on any of the long terms
this album is so fire. generation X-trapillz
good project. DA,Cali
Ab-Soul and the whole TDE camp keeps dropping cool shit. Great consistant album throughout, 4/5. Soulbrotha #2!
Peace
Check my Control system review here!!! BEST ONE OUT!! http://tcblogs.tumblr.com/post/23685279402/ab-soul-control-system-review
Album is amazing real talk
I always thought Soul was the best member of Black Hippy, with Kendrick just a spot behind.
man this shit cray
not hip-hop
Where do you live? Im tryna see if I can send some goons to your crib to chop u up into little peices and stuff ur remains into KRS-One’s funky ass laundry bag and throw you over the Queensboro Bridge. Pussy.
Weak
couldnt get any better
straight classic
Rather unique
TDE murderN yall favorite rappers……this album was definitely right behind kendricks if not right there with it
Dope CD!!! Listen to it everyday!!
Great Album….TDE!!
I thought Killer Mike had the album of the year. After I listen to this some more.. Nah this is.
still 6 months to go, Life is good Drops, Kendrick’s debut album
Best TDE release so far.
n
great album. period.
dopeness
Favourite album of the year so far.
Ab-Soul one of my favorite upcoming rappers.. jack rocks verse on Black Lip Bastard is insane
jay rock of course 😀
one of the best albums I’ve heard, TDE has a very bright future. #BestInTheBusiness
Crazy thing is I thought Ab-Soul was the wackest one out of the group based on early guest verses, but then this comes out and now dude is probably my favorite in the group, as far as lyrical talent I would have to put Jay Rock on the bottom.
love this album. top picks: soulo ho3, terrorist threats, illuminate, black lip bastard and book of soul [:'(]
BELOW on every new video article and basically any new piece of content
amazing
This shit is so overrated.
LOL
great album. ab shud b proud of himself bcos this is album of the year. u try n get whoeva u wanna from cash money or whateva cudnt care less bcos nobody can throw it up like ma top dawg niggaz. ab soul is the future and i hope the interscope album that is released by ab soul at the end of the year is just as good. get it moving ma nigga. album of 2012
Brilliant album. 5 Stars.
semi classic, it just doesn’t get the props because he’s young and there are no big name producers featured
Yo this nigga is unbelievably nice. The only nigga in the game right now who can have Kendrick shakin in his boots. TDE or die.
ab soul has mad creativity; the entire Black Hippy as a group is stupid crazy. This is true to life, real hip hop in it’s raw form. Take heed people, TDE is definately next on deck!
light a fat 1,smoke it, play this album, light another fat 1,smoke it, repeat…
Very dope album, Probably 4.5/5 (A-). Patiently waiting on Elzhi’s follow up to the Preface/Elmatic (I think Elzhi is dopest alive in terms of last 5-8 years), Diabolic’s follow up to Liar & a Thief, Nas’s “Life is Good”, Tonedeff’s “Chico the Man” (all produced by the underground legendary producer KNO) and his follow up solo to “Archetype”, Louis Logic’s new LP (“Sin-A-Matic” and “Misery Loves Comedy” are both GREAT), One Be Lo’s next LP, Slaughterhouse (hoping there’s raw ish on there like most of their first LP), Kendrick Lamar’s debut LP, Fashawn’s follow up. These last 6 months should have some fire dropping.
i listened to this album because “everybody” says how good it is and how lyrical ab-soul is, well all I can say is this – the album and ab-soul are not as dope as everyone wants you to believe. i didn’t hear even one line that made me hit the rewind button. i admit there are some dope beats, but lyrically this album just doesn’t cut it. i guess everybody thinks this shit is dope just because it sounds different, but i really could care less how different it is from everyone elses shit – THE ALBUM ISN’T HOT. 3 out of 5 nothing more but maybe less.
Sometimes it’s not about listening to what people say, or overanalyzing an album…sometimes it’s more about sparking up, and lettin the album play on repeat. Put 1 in the air and zone the fck out…stop bein such a harsh critic…
This album wasn’t designed to have rewind-worthy punchlines…it was created to actually teach you somethin. It’s easier to catch the messages if ur floatin…
I think more than anything else, the writers on HHDX need to be praised. Has anyone ever actually paid attention to the depth of their writing? It’s unbelievable. Makes me want to step my game up with this pen…
Album was amazing
Album is so dope
tiring
One of the best releases this year. 5 Stars.
I still have yet to hear a album, this year, that tops this.
TDE is the future Kendrick is dat nigga!
BEST ALBUM ON TDE
Best of tde!
“I’ve got 700 dollars from my last show, and I would spend it all on you,” the most suburban of L.A.’s four-man Black Hippy posse/supergroup sings haltingly on the tellingly entitled “Empathy,” and although initially I was impressed that he knew the word “chattel,” in the end that 700 bucks was the clincher-that he can occasionally make some halfway decent money off his art, and that he’s ready to blow it on love rather than blow or a blow job. Not that he’s above imagining blow jobs like any other healthy young rapper-cf. “SOPA,” which insofar as it’s about the Online Piracy Act has a special place in its trickerating heart for porn sites. He’s just a gifted kid who likes his weed and his words, which he twists with palpable delight around sparse synth beats musical enough to layer on some delight of their own. And then there’s the closing trifecta: his beautiful ideals, his tragic life, and a scabrous Black Hippy remix for the fun of it.
A-
great album!!!
Boss shit. Best in decades
THIS IS MY FAV ALBUM ALL DAY ITS A CLASSIC
nice
M
I want to say control system >> Good kid M.A.A.D City but it just doesn’t catch me. I still think Ab-Soul is the best in black hippy/tde though 🙂
still dope
soulo hoe
Dope shit
Best album from Soul