Singer, songwriter, and producer @RashadMusic dropped off his debut project, “Museum” a couple days ago and I got the chance to play though it a bit in the last few days and decided to share some of my thoughts. So here is a quick review of Rashad’s Museum album. Hit the jump and enjoy.
“Music of The Mind like Stevie when you need me. Spiritual tones will never leave me”
‘Museum’ is a testament of the singer/rapper/songwriter/producer Rashad from Ohio, who you might be familiar with his work from producing Stalley’s entire Lincoln way Nights project that dropped last Spring. If you haven’t been paying attention to him then you might have just missed the first major part of Rashad’s career. The Ohio native has many talents it as he showcases them on this project but spotlights more on his vocal ability. I was a fan and fell in love with his production when he and Stalley got together because it seemed to fit the music Stalley was creating at time, gritty, street, memorable music we being made. I feel like Hip-hop from Ohio was pretty dry before artists like KiD CuDi, Chip Tha Ripper Dot Da Genius, Stalley and Rashad have all carved out their own little nitch into the underground scene. Nonetheless they all still get respect from what they do, that is make really good music. With all songs produced by Rashad himslef along with some live instruments mixed it ‘Museum’ is promising just by reading the back cover artwork.
Before playing Museum I already had an idea of what it would sound like, bass-heavy drum patterns, loads of synths and chords to keep you listening. The album opens up with Rashad rapping about his childhood with intricately wise rhymes such as, “What you put out come right back/And if it’s meant to be and its like that, the law of energy come right back”. I’m sure once you play through the first two or three records you will instantly take a liking to it. This is actually more of an R&B album to me, most of it is signing about 80-90%. Along with the singing, rapping and production you can hear Rashad’s infectious “Elevate the Motherfucking Game” tags before just about every record on the project as a stamp to remind us what we are listening to. “The Return” is an early favorite of mine out the gate simply cause its crazy smooth and fits the project perfectly, definite banger.
“The Return” Music Video
Once heard that you can’t really tell if it’s a good album until you hear it in your car, I would have to say that this body of work got better once I played it on the way to and from work. Thumping 808′s, great melodies and hooks are laced throughout the project, giving listeners trunks something to play with while Rashad sings about his love for the game, women and much more. It’s evident here that Rashad has a deep love for his passion of music with records like “Headphones” and “JAM (That’s My Sh!t)”. The album even samples Xscape’s 1993 hit “Jus Kickin It”, which gives “My Pad” a highly nostalgic feeling most will enjoy. I feel like the whole album can be played from front to back without skipping one record. Yes, it’s that good. New fans of Rashad might be caught by surprise of why and how they haven’t heard of his music before now but will thank you for putting them onto his work.
“Out of this world” from first listen is a single that definitely can be taken seriously by radio, driven by a very heavy 808 and an Arabian sample that sings throughout the record. The project only has two features, one being PA Flex and the other the second in command D Block general Styles P all of which I’m totally fine with because it doesn’t take away from his work and gives Rashad more time to shine on his own without being drowned out by other artists. Like most R&B albums you have your typical “after love” type of records where you have the artist telling about past issues, failed attempts at love but Rashad wants to hold prove that the world doesn’t need to know how he feels about it, he would rather tell them face to face, very respective.
Perhaps the most thoughtful songs on the entire project (also my favorites) are “Be True”, in which Rashad speaks on keeping your head high in hard times and to be you in whatever position you find yourself in. The spacey-themed “For The Life of Me”. Rashad tells about hardships in society and troubles in the world as he raps introspectively “When did our Sisters become our bitches/When did our passion, become the past?”It’s points like that in the album that you can’t 100% label him an “R&B artist” because he doesn’t quite fit the description. Museum runs 18 tracks long, a perfect amount of songs that gives us an insight into Rashad’s life and love. ‘Museum’ is an incredible piece of work I have to say and the fact that it is his first debut project is crazy to think about what else he might have lined up next.
Road to Museum Episode #1
After playing through the project for a couple days since its release this past week I already felt as if the project was a classic and had a very very strong replay value which isn’t too common now days amongst most artists. Whether he and Stalley will link up again for another project is uncertain, but I don’t think that he needs help getting his voice or talent heard. Museum’s singing, production and passion stands out on its own. Perhaps the best part about this album is that every song fits and has it’s own place. Full of memorable melodies and hooks that might make A&R’s take a listen have a piqued interest in the Ohio native. Museum is one of those free projects that come out every once in a while that is so good that you would have paid for it if it was up for sale. Rashad definitely has something here, it’s in his heart. And he wants to share his love of music with the world, whether that be producing for Stalley or writing one of his own hooks, his story and love for music speaks for itself. Good melodies, passionate hooks and heavy 808 drums. It’s clear that Rashad has something he would like to share to the world. “Museum” is a perfect example of just that.
“The Best Music Is Elev8tor Music”
Rating: 5 of 5
DOWNLOAD: Rashad – Museum
