The Hueman Prophets have been gifted with profound moral insight and exceptional powers of expression. They speak for and to the people of the DMV. Listen: With Your Heart was produced in 2005 by the Hueman Prophets. If you “Listen: With Your Heart” you will understand why this is “a motion album”. Rooted with the deep truth and inspiration that we as people need in our every day lives. The Hueman Prophets say what others are afraid to say: “If you can’t show me that there’s more to this life, stop blowing my high”. 

Creativity [90]: 
The Hueman Prophets use what their audience is familiar with hearing in order to get their message across. For example, they use the word “Baggage” to not only represent the “hood” struggle but the struggle of life as well. Each song is comprised of a detailed, true life story, causing the listener to engage and understand the lyrics. 

Lyrical Content [90]: 
The lyrics tell a life story. They are engaging, powerful, educational and original. The Lyrics pull you in and allow you to become the character. You will get the true understanding and meaning of what the Hueman Prophets are trying to portray. 

Positivity/Inspiration [90]: 
The Hueman Prophets acknowledge the flaws of our society without adding to the destruction in which others have made. They tell us what we need but don’t want to hear. They share their knowledge and inspiration without saying the words that so many other emcees “must” use. The Hueman Prophets express themselves without causing racial destruction. 

Production [70]: 
Listen With Your Heart has beats that will make you groove and pay attention at the same time. The beats are simple but made to enhance the lyrical expression of the songs. The production of the CD is great quality and hugs the lyrics perfectly. The Hueman Prophets used simple lyrics as well as a few cultural beats.

Total:
340 Secondz

(by Renee Edelin)

Creativity [80]:
Messiah exercises a mature handling of language and definitely shows his lyrical genius throughout his work. He makes good use of metaphors, imagery, logical arguments, and other elements of language to portray his viewpoints. Although many other artists touch up on the same topics as Messiah, he is able to relate them to the listener. He places the listener in the characters place and sends the real world message that even strong people have their hard times. He is also very crafty in his usage of other people’s material. This can be seen where he takes the theme song “Bad Boy” from the television show Cops and switches the title and lyrics to Black Boy. In doing this, he is reaching out to different audiences and even entertaining them with tunes that they are already familiar with.

Production [70]:
Although Messiah’s art is mostly spoken word, the music that is combined with his lyrics does a good job of setting the tone of his message. Each song plays a role in hyping up his lyrics and bringing the listener deeper into what he’s saying. The music is also very relaxing. It’s definitely something that will soothe, inform, and inspire you. 

Positivity/Inspiration [90]:
Messiah sends a very positive message to his listeners. He not only discusses the negative aspects of our society, but he also encourages his listeners to reevaluate their own habits, values, and mindsets towards their surroundings. Through his lyrics, he breaks down the stereotypes that Black people are uninformed and ignorant of their environment and inspires others to inform themselves and move up the social ladder.

Lyrical Content [80]:
Messiah lyrics serves as an inspiration to all who listen. He touches on different topics affecting Black youths of today, or more importantly those who have been trapped in a systematic slavery. His lyrics are uplifting, informative, and meaningful; they’re also very kid friendly and would be great for the entire family to enjoy. He very rarely uses derogatory language to portray his viewpoints of the plagues affecting Blacks. However his lyrics are not just directed at Black youths. He uses his lyrical genius to reach out to corporate America and all those in power positions to advocate change to the systems that keep people from being able to succeed in this capitalist society. Overall his lyrics are metaphorical, spiritual, and deep, or in other words extremely powerful.

Total:
320 Secondz

(by LaNesha Kearse)

Creativity [70]:
Chris Stylez lyrics and music combination, to sum it up, are hot. His lyrics are meaningful, informative, and easy to relate to. They’re easy to enjoy once you get adjusted to the beats that he uses to go along with the lyrics. Some of his lyrics are even comical. He is able to appeal to different emotions and thoughts which isn’t too common among rappers of today. His style is definitely unique and something that will stick to you even after you stop listening to his verses. In a crowd of performers, you would always be able to say ‘Wow’ that’s Chris Stylez. 

Production [60]:
The selection of music that he uses is hip, urban, unique, and versatile. Not only can young adults enjoy the beat, but older generations can also appreciate it. It’s definitely something that some people may not be conditioned to listening to, but after listening to the songs over and over they become easier to enjoy. 

Positivity/Inspiration [70]:
Chris Stylez touches on issues that African Americans, youths, and those in authority positions could do more to change. He discusses the hardships, pressures, and realities that have been created and continue to cause destruction to the community. By pointing out these problems, he seeks to advocate change and make youths aware of their surroundings. What makes him a positive influence to listeners is that he speaks the truth void of rose-colored images. He doesn’t make his listeners believe that he is living the high life, which makes it even easier for them to relate to every word he speaks. 

Lyrical Content [70]:
Chris Stylez discusses a lot of pressures and issues facing youths today. Some of his lyrics even go as far as going into some of the dilemmas that DC youth, primarily African Americans face although they live in the nation’s capital. It is easy for the listener to relate to his words, feelings, and thoughts; and even take on his persona.

Total:
270 Secondz

Creativity [90]:
Miss B rap is very creative. The material she uses sounds like she has been in the rap business for a while. She says things about getting paper and about being in the business. Now days when you here rappers that are out today that’s what their messages are trying to convey. In most of Miss B raps she use terms we have heard before but she puts it in her own words so that’s what makes her and her raps original.

Music Production [85]:
The making of the tracks are something new. Her mix tape volume is good to listen to. The production of the whole thing was put together well. When it comes to the beats she did a good job with putting the beats and the raps together so they can click. It sounds like she took her time and made sure it sounds goods. I personally like the beats even though I’ve heard some of them before and they are pretty much simple. When she used the beats they actually sound new. I’m not saying it’s the best mix tap in the whole world but it’s good for someone’s first mix tape. 

Lyrical Content [90]:
Miss B. gets her point across to her audience. Her lyrics flows she’s expressive and by being rhythmical she catches the audience with her lyrics. Her lyrics give details about her and what she’s about. Her lyrics talks about a lot of things such as the game, her attraction and her being in Paris . When she talks about being in Paris she’s talks about being on her model status. Also Ms. B is comfortable about what she says and states things she feels. 

Positivity/Inspiration [85]:
Miss B. basically talks about things the society here every day. When she talks about her money flow and her attraction she talks about it in a way everyone can understand and relate to. I think Miss B is not damaging the society or what ever because she’s just stating things she likes and feel.

Total:
350 Secondz

(by Shanice Johnson)

Creativity [80]:
Princess of Controversy’s latest cd Loving Me, Myself, and Me Mixtape Vol. 1, features a mixture of tales about life experiences and gaining confidence. She stresses the importance of being confident through a smooth rhythmic flow and a steady hard-hitting beat.

Production [60]:
Overall, the production was pretty good. The tracks that were acapella showcased her voice excellently. Though the beats for the most part were hard-hitting, there were times where it wasn’t appropriate for the message she illustrated for the song. The highlight of the cd was the track “stop” featuring various D.C. artists, which illustrated the various streams of talent coming from the D.C. metropolitan area. 

Lyrical Content [80]:
This cd has a wide variety of themes as far as lyrical content that she provides for listeners. She expresses her life experiences and her struggle for confidence in a very appealing manner. She stresses the importance for females to love themselves and to gain confidence in order to play a vital role in today’s society.

Positivity/Inspiration [80]:
Overall, she clearly and successfully illustrated a positive message through the songs on her album to the African American community. Through this cd you can see has having a positive outlook or attitude on life changed her life. You can expect many more uplifting songs from this artist.

Total:
300 Secondz

Creativity [50]:
The three artists are not as original as they should and could be as far as their style. Their lyrical style and content tends to mimic that of other hip hop artists, especially when they talk about doing and dealing drugs and drinking alcohol. The emphasis placed on hustling isn’t anything new to the hip hop game. However they do illustrate the determination needed to end each of their personal struggles, overall.

Production [90]:
The production that they created was definitely music that could identify with a wide range of audiences. They successfully created music that teens would definitely be attracted to. Also, the music they produced strongly fits in the category of good hip hop music, attracting many hip hop lovers.

Lyrical Content [50]:
Their lyrical content overall was fair. With the enormous amount of cursing that their CD contained, the message of their songs, whether positive or negative, was lost. Though they talk about struggling in the streets, they failed to provide possible solutions to their own personal problems that teens could identify with in personal situations. Overall, their lyrical content could have been more inventive and effective.

Upliftment Of The Race [30]:
Their message doesn’t necessarily uplift the race, but does provide examples as to why we do need to uplift our race. Though drugs and alcohol are big problems in the community, there should be some type of inspiration for our race to stop those problems. Their intentions may have been to strictly present their life struggles to their audience, but they must look at the bigger picture and look at what they are doing by putting those ideas out there.

Total:
220 Secondz

Nando does a very honorable job of holding his own and showing us how different  he really is and setting himself apart from other artist through his music. The old school yet futuristic vibe brings a lot of symmetry and a great vibe to the album. Any Back to the Future fans would be satisfied with the intro track “DeLorean” and with there being constant use of “Oh that was hot” metaphors, Nando forces you to pay attention to the words and not only vibe with the beat.  The Go-Go beats slid in give you breathe of fresh air and will definitely have you bopping your head to the timbales and the “aye, ayes” every now and then. He brings a very different approach, while maintaining the expectations of a great mix tape.

    With tracks by Powell, Static Salectah, Azizi Gibson, Atom, Mark Henry, Skitzo House, Best Kept Secret (known for making tracks for Wale), and AB the Producer, the production on this mix tape was nothing less than exceptional. The use of intergalactic and gamer sound effects, the music and lyrics blended very well together. They was no overpowering of any one part of the process. Everything was mixed together greatly.


    The lyrics were average, but at the same time , there were some bars that will have you step back from the song and say “Ok, that was hot”. Nothing some more lyrical practice can’t fix, but at the same time there is a humoristic character that he brings that will soften up the below the belt hit he graced you with the line before. A good thing about his lyrics are that he connects with almost anyone. There were some lines that anyone could say that they can relate to the topic at hand.
“Lunch time come around, I ain’t got a dollar, that’s what happen when you paid 7.10 and hour. I Hated My Job”


    Even though thought the album was not disappointing at all , it lacked inspiration. There was some positivity but at the same time there could have been more besides sexually directed dialogue and “I got what he don’t got” gestures.  Nando needed to bring a little more diversity.

Creativity: 50
Lyrical Content: 40
Production: 60
Inspiration: 20
Positivity: 20
DMV Love: 60

Total: 250