Rating:
  Review Date: March 26, 2008
  Website: Amanda Diva Website
  Label: Divaworks

Amanda Diva “Life Experience” Album Review
Like many individuals, I enjoy being pleasantly surprised: whether it’s due to an unanticipated visit from a good friend; a birthday wish from someone who you never would have guessed would extend one; or receiving an unexpected gift from your homie. In the past couple of weeks, I had the opportunity to experience all of the above. But what iced the cake for me was topping it all off with a new soulful album to add to my collection – Amanda Diva’s new album, “Life Experience.”

Outside of just getting the Diva’s new joint, I also had the honor in seeing her perform live recently. I was at the Nuyorican Café in NYC chilling with my people, waiting to do my thing as well, and I hear “Next up, Amanda Diva!” This was a pleasant surprise as I didn’t know Amanda Diva was going to be rockin’ that night. So being that I already heard of her through Okayplayer, I became more attentive to the performance. Like expected, she is gifted, beautiful and, from what I gathered, a truly down-to-earth artist and person.

Amanda performed a few tracks from “Life Experience,” including the women’s empowerment-inspired anthem Supa Woman, 40 MC’s (but without Q-tip that night) and my favorite – the smooth Commodore-sampled Windows Over Harlem. On stage, the Diva knew how to grab the attention of her audience and kept them attentive throughout her performance. I mean, it’s not hard to do when you have good background music, a nice bag of rhymes, and can sing as well.

And that is what makes “Life Experience” such a great album: it is versatile, soulful and, musically, it touches both men and women on an intellectual level. But even better, the album accomplishes this without losing sight of the basic formula of hip-hop: beats and rhymes.

On “Life Experience” Amanda Diva speaks on her struggles, her trials and growth as a person. If you’ve ever have had hard times trying to reach your goals, you should be able to relate to her movement. With jazz-inspired production reminiscent of classic A Tribe Called Quest tracks but with new-school flavor similar to that of Floetry, “Life Experience” is a memorable album. Cop that.

- ScholarMan

Album Track Listing:

1. Life Experience Intro
2. Bright Lights
3. Supa-Woman
4. 40 MC’s
5. Windows Over Harlem
6. Brown Girl
7. New School Old School Interlude
8. I Know (Better World)
9. Life To Love Outro
10. Crazy World (Bonus Track)