Cadence Weapon – Afterparty Babies

29 April 2008, Allan @ 5:02 pm Cadence Weapon Afterparty Babies

Canadian Roland Pemberton aka Cadence Weapon came out with his 2nd album Afterparty Babies on March 4th. Close to two months late, I figured this album deserved a review rather no review at all. Besides, the state that Canadian hip-hop is in…he can use all the publicity he gets.

I must say that I have been spoiled in my exposure to rap. I mean, I hate all the new mainstream crap we get but it’s been that way for a few years. I think I can list the albums I’ve listened to in my lifetime including Eminem’s discography, The Game’s Doctor’s Advocate, 50 Cent’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, Dr. Dre’s Chronic 2001 and generally albums that were critically acclaimed. I like nothing but the best and I like rap just when it is at its highest quality.

Afterparty Babies starts off really slow with Do I Miss My Friends, it’s actually a decent little rap number with Pemberton showing off some skill while rapping to an impossible beat. However, there are times where you start to doubt his skill as someone who has top of the line skill. His rhyming is impeccable yes but it doesn’t feel like a natural flow. (He still has some major skill)

The track that stands out the most, is “House Music”. I think most people would agree that is his strongest track and it comes late into the party as the 3rd last track. It ultimately has the best beat and Cadence Weapon LETS LOOSE.

I think Cadence Weapon would benefit from “selling out” a little bit and getting a producer that will give some more to work with. He definitely has the skill to light the mic on fire but in the days where “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy” rules the airwaves not many people are going to care.

Cadence Weapon is still very raw with this album and some will say that’s the best time to enjoy a rapper before their success. Pemberton is probably at a point where he has an established fan base and get bring to a mainstream audience (like rap has been exploited to) both some skill and refreshing face to mainstream rap.

As for the record. Not that easy of a listen and more a record where you realize that Cadence Weapon has all the talent in the world but it just doesn’t work sometimes. It’s tough when there is nothing BUT the rap to look forward to as musically the beat just isn’t there.
Rating 4 out 5.