Trae Album: “The Beginning (S.L.A.B.-ED)”

I really give this review an 4.5 stars. Would have been a 5 but there are really no hooks on the cd just straight beats and lyrics. I just picked this cd up yesterday from my local record store and to my surprise the cd was great. I know that Trae is no longer with Rap-A-Lot, but man what a cd this is. I believe that these tracks may have been left over from Restless and Life Goes On. If you liked Restless and Same Thing Different Day then you will enjoy this. The only downfall to this cd is that you can tell that it was unfinshed work which means that the beats and lyrics are on point but a lot of the songs are without a hook just lyrics and beats(like a mixtape). The upside to the cd is that Q-Stone(the guy who produced most of Same Thing Different Day)did most of the tracks. Trae also has a song with Z-ro and Slim Thug no hook but it is very hearfelt and everyone especially Ro and Thugga came hard on this track. This whole cd is the TRUTH. There are three tracks that if you are a Trae fan you have probbaly heard but they have a different beat(White Bricks, Watch Ova Momma, and Problems:was already on my Homies pt.2. If you are a die hard Trae and Zro/A.B.N fan you should pick this up you will not be upset except no hooks but lyrics is all you need when it comes to Trae. Get this.

This CD goes back to Trae's roots as the title implies. Trae raps about real life struggles on each track and you can really feel everything he is saying. Like the other reviewer said, the beats are Similar to those on Same Thing Different Day. The beats match Trae's lyrics well and you really get a sense of who he is through the music and what he's gone through. If you've had any similar struggles in your life, you'll be able to relate to what he says. Maybe even if you haven't you'll like what he has to say...I think that anyone who is human and has a heart can relate.

I was disappointed with Trae's last official album with Rap-a-lot--Life Goes On sounded like Trae was trying to go commercial and there were only a few heart felt songs. I think Trae can still make it like this--his music just needs to be marketed properly. Trae and Z-ro are my two favorite rappers and I'm glad to see that Trae still makes quality music and didn't forget his roots. I hope he takes this route with his next release as well. If you liked any of his previous albums before Life Goes On, buy it. You won't be disappointed.

This is by far the best album Trae has put out (I have 4 of his albums and one ABN album). I'd give "Restless" a high 4 star rating and "Tha Truth Show" & "Life Goes On" low 4 star ratings and the ABN "It is What it Is" 4.5 stars. This one has some older songs (alot of references to '05), but of the 12, 2 are classics, 2 are near classics, and the other 8 are good, most being real good. Production is very nice as well. Q-Stone does 9 songs, Mike Dean, Jake One, and Mr. Rogers all do 1. Why these songs were not released a few years ago; I don't' know, but this will definitely be a top 5 album from 2008 and one I'd highly recommend.

#1 - 8 (deeper song about his mom)

#2 - 9.5 (deep song - great beat)

#3 - 9 (nice beat)

#4 - 9 (nice beat)

#5 - 9 (f/ Khujo Goodie -- good beat)

#6 - 9 (f/ Paul Wall & Jayton -- tight beat)

#7 - 9.5 (deeper song with tight beat)

#8 - 9 (f/ Z-Ro & Slim Thug - nice beat)

#9 - 10 (CLLASSIC deeper song)

#10 - 9 (f/ Russell -- good beat)

#11 - 10 (CLASSIC -- f/ Lil' Boss & Dallas -- deep song with tight beat)

#12 - 8.5 (f/ Lil' Boss)

Frazier Thompson -- b. ~1981 -- Houston, TX

Check all my reviews