Rating:
  Review Date: June 8, 2007
  Website: Side-FX Website
  Label: Independent

Side-FX “Creative Control” Album Review
I meet many gifted people on a regular basis; emcees, producers, poets, authors and one thing that I notice about at least 80% of them is that they don’t have a consistent focus. They lack the ability to stay focused on the ultimate goal they have in their heart. Instead they bounce back in forth between changing their styles, their messages; their production to fit only what the public wants to hear; that is when music loses its soul. As creative as they are, they lack control of their craft, but one cat doesn’t, and that’s Side F-X.  

“So far so good,” is the first thing I must say about this Canadian emcee. Though he hasn’t been in the game long, Creative Control is an impressive presentation of the potential he possesses. The fact that Side F-X waited over a year until he was pleased with his product shows me that he cares how is represented as well as how he is received, which is something you don’t see from those who aren’t dedicated to their craft and the hip-hop culture.

Though his album lacks professional mixing at times, Side F-X still demands your attention and rhymes with conviction. On State of Rap he talks about how water-down the game has become and what he believes his purpose is in hip-hop. On No Chorus he again stresses that his music is from the soul and that he will not allow anyone to halt his elevation. His lyrics speak maturity and dedication, words definitely worth listening to.

Production-wise Creative Control comes with several heated beats to support Side F-X’s lyrically ability. Almost every beat thumps and flows from start to finish. One stand out track is Existed that sounds heavily DJ Premier influenced; the chorus and the beat mesh well. With improved mixes to include some compression on a few tracks, this album could be one of many underground classics. Another noteworthy track is Close Your Eyes for the great sample selection and wordplay.

- ScholarMan

Album Track Listing:

1. Creative Control
2. Just Listen
3. This Is A Recording
4. State Of Rap
5. No Chorus
6. Walking Down The Street
7. Fade Away
8. It’s The Music
9. Existed
10. Close Your Eyes
11. May 2008
12. Contemplation
13. Thanks
14. Wishes