Rating:
  Review Date: July 9, 2007
  Website: Solid Savage Website
  Label: Indie

Solid Savage “Rated Ill” Album Review
Let’s face it; hip-hop is becoming an uncontrollable monster. The battle between good music and horrible music, underground hip-hop versus the mainstream, real versus fake; what is one emcee to do? Should one join forces with either side, go with the flow or savagely create his own path in the game? Apparently, Solid Savage has chosen the latter and he is determined to reach success through his decision.  

I can’t reiterate it enough; confidence is one of many keys needed in earning respect from the masses in every city, state, and country no matter what the industry. You can be the most talented cat on your block but if you don’t have backbone, cant speak up for yourself and don’t present some sort of swagger, your talents and gifts will be looked over. No different than the overly confident unattractive dude that seems to pull more fine women than the attractive highly timid dude.

Solid Savage understands this and he applies his knowledge in his music. He rhymes with passion and demands your attention. Using a blend of self-created lingo with that of some homegrown in San Diego, he flows well over the melodic sounds throughout this album. Though basic rhyme schemes at times, I still find Savage enjoyable to listen to because he has something to say; he doesn’t seem to be rhyming for the sake of rhyming but instead spreads a message that his “third eye is open” to how the game, the world and his life are changing.

With somewhat average but head-nodding production, Savage overall is one creative artist whose path will continue to stretch and widen with opportunities if he continues to keep his third eye open and present music that “matches him” like the girlfriend he misses in “The Letter.” His most impressive moment is on “Solid Savage;” a song of self-introduction that truly presents the essence of why he is in the game.

- ScholarMan

Album Track Listing:

1. TOO DIVINE featuring JEYES
2. BRAINSTORM
3. RATED ILL
4. HOW IT SOUND
5. NIGHTMARE (interlude)
6. CORRIDORS
7. THE LETTER
8. DISTRACTIONS
9. SOLID SAVAGE
10. NEW BEGINNINGS
11. HEAVENS SEWER
12. AUDITORY ASSASSIN
13. ANTI-CLUB JOINT
14. LOST TRANSMISSION
15. LOBOTOMY featuring BABBLE-ON
16. INVASION
17. HOW IT SOUND Remix featuring BRAILLE & WYNO
18. ART QUEST