Every rapper from any mid-sized town in America hopes to be the driving force behind putting their city on the Hip-Hop map, and Boaz is no different. Boaz’ base of operations is the cutting-edge cultural beacon of Pittsburgh, PA. Repping the Iron City and Boaz’ supposed Barksdaling of its street corners dominate the subject matter for the bulk of The Audio Biography.
Unfortunately there is no gimmick such as Houston’s “screwing and chopping,” or Miami’s dance-beat heritage to infuse The Audio Biography with a unique local flavor. Instead Boaz is forced to rely on an array of generic beats and his own presence to carry the album. And as the featured single “Gettin’ Mine,” shows, he just doesn’t have the goods. A chorus of “All we do is grind, summer time, winter time/we be eatin’ good/all the time-dinner time,” could conceivably become this summer’s “Everyday I’m hustling.’” But Boaz delivers the line with a lack of conviction, as if he’s just saying it because that’s what rappers are expected to talk about.
Lack of presence isn’t Boaz’ only problem behind the mic—he also relies heavily on recycled clichés and simplified rhymes. “My Only Lover,” is the 957th song that relies on a stale metaphor of money as a woman. Local dedications also abound, as both Boaz home state (“PA Shit”) and city (“Steel City”) get tributes, even if Boaz spends most of the time expounding on his own hustling as opposed to his home locales.
With so many repetitive rhymes, Boaz is at the mercy of his production to carry the weight. But the product’s weak—songs like “Well Connected,” and “Hustler,” come off as stitched together imitations of hotter tracks. The lack of innovation magnifies into a turn-off as the album drags through 21 tracks. Moments of inspiration do exist, such as flipping Jamiroquai into an introspective look at the problems near and far on “Crazy World.” But the bad far outweighs the good. If Boaz ever wants to escape Pittsburgh, he’s going to need to spend more work in the studio and leave the streets to someone else.
BONUS
Boaz – “Steel City” Video
Previously Posted — Boaz “Gettin Mine” Video | In This Crazy World…
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Truly woeful, why don’t we all go watch a Boaz Yakin movie instead?
I was thinking FRESH.
I stayed away from anything Boaz.
That cover doesn’t scream “Hip-Hop”. I dunno what image dude was trying to portray.
Librarian?
Why did you even review this?
That cover doesn’t scream “Hip-Hop”. I dunno what image dude was trying to portray.
Librarian?
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his “librarian flow keeps the party real quiet” © Posdnuos
look closely at the big ass books in the back ground…its the same book over and over…peep the horrible photoshop job on the upper middle bookshelf.
this is one corny ass album cover.
this is one corny ass album cover.
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Until this review, i swore it was a mixtape.
its the same book over and over
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indicative of the redundancy & repetitiveness, lol
Looks like we have some Boaz haters… Someone does not need a new gimmick (Soulja Boy) to make a good album. This is a solid album overall. Instead of highlighting Boaz’s accomplishments as an artist TS decided to emphasize the low points of the album. You name PA Shit and don’t even get the name right to the song dedicated to his home town; it’s steel city not iron city (which you even posted the video for). Tracks like “Hit Em” and “How We Ride” are some of the best on the album and have some of the few features, but you fail to mention them. This review seems rushed and bias. I have always had faith in the TS album reviews but I’m starting to lose it.
^ Boaz?
LOL. Ain’t nobody rush this album review.. This album got way more e-mails than it deserved in all actuality..
That was a hating ass review dudes are straight corn balls
This is the worst review of all time. It’s deeper than rap. Ya’ll are straight hatin on the boy Boaz. Hatin! He has gotten cosigns and dope reviews from every respectable major media outlet. This is pathetic. I’m gonna let his management know not to fuck with ya’ll no more. Bo is a true hero to the streets of Pittsburgh and will continue to rise.
novel – the audiobiography
out in stores 09.. so soon
My man who reviewed this, has an opinion, we respect his opinion. But let me tell you the real Boaz. Because I grew up with him, and I know him, better than you folks. First of all, he is very religious and comes from a hard background, that most of you probably could not walk. His flows are very versatile and he is very lyrical. He uses words that the reviewer probably did not understand, he calls it “Iron City”? He is obviously not from around these parts. Librarian? Ok. Funny. But I want you haters to also look at who Boaz has worked with, and tell me if those guys are not some of the realest rappers in the game. He is Islamic. He is very smart also, that is why his album cover portrays intelligence. He is not trying to put on a fashion show like you corn balls. He comes from the raw rugged streets of Larimer, grew up behind my apartment. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to know the story. He is amazing at what he does. My mother always knew he would be a great musician, from when he played his clarinet on the porch with so much talent. He has a natural feel for music, and if you listen deep enough, you know this and I do not have to explain. Boaz is a pure hustler, and what he is rapping about is %100 true. Anyone with respect in this city, respects Boaz. Boaz is Pittsburgh. He represents us better than any artist coming out of this. Boaz is the truth. He is real. I think you people should really listen to this album again and have some gratitude and pray for wisdom. He can teach you a lot. I give this album a 10/10. Best piece of work he ever has completed. Again, he came from nothing and to hear this, it is amazing. And my opinion is, you people on here posting, are mostly nerds, cornballs, who do not run the streets or know the streets. Just people who have a very biased perception of the streets and rap game. But I respect your opinion, so respect mines.