Bulletin Board Archive

Topic: 11:11

Oct 11, 2007 04:33am by dirge
Has anyone snagged Mac Lethal's record yet? I've only heard the single. Thoughts?
Oct 12, 2007 12:48am by DEMENCHA
I'll probably pick it up in november when i have money.
Oct 12, 2007 02:14am by DR.T - nuts .. haha Location: KCMO
Yes I have it.... If you're not afraid of some good ole' fashion insensitive humor....this CD is AWESOME! I like Mac's approach to music....
Oct 14, 2007 08:39pm by TheRevGetDown Location: Austin
Just picked it up today. It's nice to be able to pick up a disc by KC's own in any record shop in Austin. Haven't given it a thorough listen yet but I like what I've heard.
Oct 15, 2007 11:08am by StikFiga - "i could never be a thug, they dont dress this well"--Malice of the Clipse
the records is pretty incredible. i think it will bubble, the album takes risk few would take. Painfully honest, funny and intelligent. i mean Rolling Stone even hit it with the 3.5! peace to Mac Lethal for reppin that KC HARD! "Where Biggie and Pac are passe cause back home we talk in terms of Mac Dre and Fat Tone!" yessssiirr
Oct 15, 2007 11:17am by DR.T - nuts .. haha Location: KCMO
[quote:204d3b1295="StikFiga"] ...."Where Biggie and Pac are passe cause back home we talk in terms of Mac Dre and Fat Tone!".... [/quote:204d3b1295] That line right there gave me chills.....I was like....''Mac.....you are are my nigga for this one!!!"
Oct 15, 2007 12:38pm by Deta!L - I just said that so you would stop bothering me.
[quote:f02066e1c3="StikFiga"] "Where Biggie and Pac are passe cause back home we talk in terms of Mac Dre and Fat Tone!"[/quote:f02066e1c3] that doesn't even rhyme! just joking, I haven't heard the album yet
Oct 15, 2007 01:58pm by phism
it's backwards.
Oct 16, 2007 12:02am by maclethal
Pick it up! It's catchy and for sunny days.
Oct 16, 2007 12:19am by swayzorbladez - www.myspace.com/swayzorspitsbladez
I'll snag it when you come through with atmosphere and GRAYSKULL.. gonna be an awesome show
Oct 16, 2007 01:26am by MilkDrop - http://milkisrhyming.blogspot.com/ www.myspace.com/soulofmycity www.myspace.com/soulproviderscrew Location: First City, KS
havent heard it either, i think Stik meant: "Where Biggie and Pac are passe cause back home, we talk in terms of Mac Dre and Fat Tone!"
Oct 16, 2007 01:29am by DR.T - nuts .. haha Location: KCMO
[quote:b5edb08f54="maclethal"]Pick it up! It's catchy and for sunny days.[/quote:b5edb08f54] Oh spit! Special guest appearance! You're CD is AWESOME!
Oct 16, 2007 06:45am by grassnasty Location: overland park
i like the, getting road head from fred phelps line...that was ill
Oct 19, 2007 04:49am by DEMENCHA
Scratch magazine reviewed this in their latest issue. They trashed it worse than anything I've ever seen. trashed mac's entire career. they gave it 1.5 stars. However URB did give it 3.5 stars, Iheard. PEACE
Oct 19, 2007 11:11am by DR.T - nuts .. haha Location: KCMO
[quote:d63f43faa7="DEMENCHA"]Scratch magazine reviewed this in their latest issue. They trashed it worse than anything I've ever seen. trashed mac's entire career. they gave it 1.5 stars. [/quote:d63f43faa7] How? ... They prolly got offended if nothing else.... that cd was on point
Oct 19, 2007 01:12pm by Boogie_B - www.myspace.com/headfella Location: kansas
[quote:65494f2563="DR.T"][quote:65494f2563="DEMENCHA"]Scratch magazine reviewed this in their latest issue. They trashed it worse than anything I've ever seen. trashed mac's entire career. they gave it 1.5 stars. [/quote:65494f2563] How? ... They prolly got offended if nothing else.... that cd was on point[/quote:65494f2563] scratch magazine said: "Mac Lethal's first foray into rap should be his last. On his debut, the Kansas City native spews horrid rhymes and a novice flow over highly forgettable beats, limiting his subject matter to his rebellious adolescent acts. While practice generally makes perfect, Mac Lethal should consider hanging up his mic, because there is simply no hope." i havent heard the album yet tho.
Oct 19, 2007 03:47pm by AceFadal - [b:353f9d151d]k[/b:353f9d151d]inestheti[b:353f9d151d]C[/b:353f9d151d]~means To learn by doing www.dipity.com/acefadal WE ARE, Kansas City is [b:353f9d151d]k[/b:353f9d151d]inestheti[b:353f9d151d]C[/b:353f9d151d]! http://crushproofstudio.bandcamp.com/ Location: Downtown, Kansas City, Mo.
[quote:9e0b84b4d9="Boogie_B"][quote:9e0b84b4d9="DR.T"][quote:9e0b84b4d9="DEMENCHA"]Scratch magazine reviewed this in their latest issue. They trashed it worse than anything I've ever seen. trashed mac's entire career. they gave it 1.5 stars. [/quote:9e0b84b4d9] How? ... They prolly got offended if nothing else.... that cd was on point[/quote:9e0b84b4d9] scratch magazine said: "Mac Lethal's first foray into rap should be his last. On his debut, the Kansas City native spews horrid rhymes and a novice flow over highly forgettable beats, limiting his subject matter to his rebellious adolescent acts. While practice generally makes perfect, Mac Lethal should consider hanging up his mic, because there is simply no hope." i havent heard the album yet tho.[/quote:9e0b84b4d9] and this is what Scratch said about Kanye giving him a 4.5.. [quote:9e0b84b4d9] [color=white:9e0b84b4d9]"In his quset to creats the perfect album, Kanye West presents Graduation. Sonically rich and lyrically superior, "Ye's heavily-synthed Lp, with its triumphant swagger, is what every hip-hop disc should aspire to be. Diverse yet cohesive, with only minor missteps ("Homecoming"), "Ye's surefire singles and entertaining album cuts rule the day and make Mr. West's masterpiece better than G.O.O.D."[/color:9e0b84b4d9][/quote:9e0b84b4d9] they must have got the two mixed up, is my only explanation. They gave Havoc a 3. Its like 1/2 of the Mobb Deep that already sucked and it clearly deserved a 2. Hanger 18 can easily be at a 4. The people at Scratch wasn't at the Atmosphere Show, When Mac Lethal Destroyed it. Check the source, not the mag, the facts. Get the Album. Support Local Hip Hop! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_Publications click the 3rd party links. These guys hold it down and represent the real and what Hip Hop should be ❓ NOT!
Oct 19, 2007 06:13pm by maclethal
Fuck Scratch Magazine. That review was just slander. You can hate my raps all you want, but don't say Lenny D and Seven's beats are 'forgettable.' Rolling Stone gave it a 3.5. Fuck, Robert Christgeau gave it a 3.5. Not sure what Urb gave it. Don't care. Journalists are all gangly, hipster pussies, who will worship Lil Wayne this year, and diss the shit out of him next year. DJ Candlewax reads magazines. Not sure who else does. I like DJ Candlewax, I'm just saying. He'd tell you how unimportant that shit is in the scope of sales. FYI The record soundscanned 1,300+ first week not counting venue sales. Second week should be just as high. Hoping to hit 10,000 by the end of the year. Word.
Oct 19, 2007 07:51pm by dirge
^ I feel that. I read that Scratch review and was like... 😯 DAMN! I would personally hate to have my record torn apart like that and then get a good review in other publications. I'd actually be pretty PISSED! Opinions, opinions! Off of the subject, I heard a track from Mac called, "Take Me In My Sleep." My pops died from the big C. It changed the entire dynamic of my family and how we interact even to this day. That was the saddest moment in my life and my dear, sweet momma still hasn't fully recovered from the blow 6 years later. Not that she ever will. Not that anyone in my family ever really will. That song touched me and brought a tear to my eye.
Oct 20, 2007 08:27am by Dropjaw - Dropjaw http://www.hiphophobo.com http://www.myspace.com/Dropjaw http://www.myspace.com/deadrepublic I'm on facebook as well, and my name is Kory Andrew Pedersen if you wanna be web homies. Location: Manhattan, KS
On the first few listens I could see some of the stuff that they said in scratch about the record, but as I've listened to it multiple times now I think it has a lot of good stuff on it, and it has way more to offer than that Kanye Record. Plus I think the cover is great. Is 11:11 available on Vinyl yet?
Oct 21, 2007 02:22am by DR.T - nuts .. haha Location: KCMO
Scratch gets the duck face.... [img:cbca52c102]http://www.epromos.com/productimg/8817850S.jpg[/img:cbca52c102] Thats deserving of a diss-line in your next album...I hate how they didn't mention any specific example....they were just really keen on trying to ish talk.... And about Kanye....his album was nice...but i think he himself is maybe like 50% hip hop and 50% "Other Stuff". He had a lot of stuff on there that I really couldn't relate to...I think Kanye raps for rich suburban kids....at least Mac (for lack of a better term) reps the people...
Oct 21, 2007 04:07am by maclethal
I plan on performing the album from front to back at the Flying Monkey christmas party in December. Word. And yes, listen to the record a few times to let it sink in. MAc
Oct 21, 2007 06:49am by swayzorbladez - www.myspace.com/swayzorspitsbladez
[quote:f7273d722c="maclethal"]I plan on performing the album from front to back at the Flying Monkey christmas party in December. [/quote:f7273d722c] can;t wait.. I'm gonna get so shitty!
Oct 21, 2007 06:11pm by Fur1ous - "She said, 'who the fuck died and made you God?' I said, Jesus"
Here's my take on the album. It hasn't left my CD player since I copped it. The songs are much more than what I expected from you Mac...and I'm not selling you short when I say that. Your past work was a bit too eclectic for my particular tastes, I consider myself to be intelligent and some of your references went over my head. I think you're at your best when you get really witty and humorous with it, even when touching upon deep subjects. 11:11 gives me exactly what I hoped for from you, banging production, fun songs and songs that are good for the soul and relate to me as a fan and individual. Your flow is impeccable, your lyrics are almost always quotables, and you use your voice and accent to your advantage. Even the self deprecation is dope, cuz if we can't laugh at ourselves sometimes, we have problems. I can honestly say that there are no missteps on this album, it's thorough from beginning to end. The production is very cohesive and intrinsic, yet extremely fun and bouncy at times. This is an album to be listened to in solitude and in a group party atmosphere. I expected some criticism, frankly, the people aren't necessarily ready for Mac....in 2012, this album will be considered classic! I always keep in mind that a review is just one person's opinion and not to be takent as fact or an accurate representation of what people in general will think. Hiphopsite.com blasted the album too and said Mac is "biting Slug" which I don't see at all, but whatever. The review actually irritated me to the point that I want to send them a hateful email. You outdid yourself on 11:11 and I would like to extend major props for it. GREAT debut and I expect your followups to be even greater. PS. When you have time man, our collabo is long overdue, I'm in a Mac Lethal state of mind babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!
Oct 21, 2007 07:28pm by Atilla_Beatsmith - [email protected] www.myspace.com/manwithahammer Location: the Beatcave, U.S.A.
boo at scratch's review...I haven't heard the disc yet, but man... I read a review of it on a San Fransisco art site and they trashed it too...then again, right before his review they made it very clear that they didn't like Rhymesayers AS A WHOLE. I still have to cop the disc.
Oct 21, 2007 11:19pm by DR.T - nuts .. haha Location: KCMO
Man...look in the end all you need to worry about is the cash and sales..... [size=24:a3b46c795a]"TO HELLLLLLL, WITH THE CRITICCCCCCCCSSSSSS" [/size:a3b46c795a]
Oct 22, 2007 12:00am by Whatsgood
Mac is that dude!
Oct 22, 2007 05:12pm by Reach. - Peace and oneness, www.emceereach.com www.myspace.com/reach www.twitter.com/emceereach www.youtube.com/reachtv www.cdbaby.com/cd/reachmusic2 www.cdbaby.com/cd/reachmusic Location: Kansas City
Haven't heard the record yet, but when I stop being broke I'll get a copy of it to ride around to...
Oct 22, 2007 08:38pm by grassnasty Location: overland park
its def worth the purchase, i liked it first time i listened to it....but i like it even more every time i listen again....i like jihad! alot. anyway, i dont know what else to say...cept pick it up "kansas city mother fuck face" gn
Oct 25, 2007 08:11am by maclethal
thanks furious, gn, and everyone who propped the record. yeah, it's gonna get trashed by people. honestly, and i mean HONESTLY, when i finished it. my biggest hope was that the reviews would stray away from the middle of the road, average, unoffended reviews. being hated is just as powerful, if not more in some cases, as being loved. especially in the media. never let what media people say burden you with self-doubt or disappointment. if the media says anything at all, it's a good thing. if the media says anything at all and included emotional content into what they say-- IT'S GREAT. hate/love whatever. same fuel.
Oct 25, 2007 08:13am by maclethal
just an update. not boasting. but letting you know how uneffected this record is by reviews-- i soundscanned almost as much second week as i did first week. it had a 21% drop off. typically it's 45-55%.
Oct 25, 2007 10:30am by Fur1ous - "She said, 'who the fuck died and made you God?' I said, Jesus"
Honestly Mac.....and I'm not being facetious when I say thiss. the "Pound that Beer" chorus is begging to be the choice ringtone of college going white dudes EVERYWHERE....u should make that happen
Oct 26, 2007 03:24am by sikestyle - -Stuff and Things...Things and Stuff... www.sikestyle.com Location: Kansas City
[img:c62a08d1a7]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e335/sikestyle/Macsinsidecover-1.jpg[/img:c62a08d1a7] who's your stylist mac? ha thanks dope layout all together..
Oct 26, 2007 03:15pm by mythik - www.myspace.com/mythillogical www.myspace.com/barbaricmerits www.barbaricmerits.com Location: Kansas City
[quote:f31f712f8b="Fur1ous"]Honestly Mac.....and I'm not being facetious when I say thiss. the "Pound that Beer" chorus is begging to be the choice ringtone of college going white dudes EVERYWHERE....u should make that happen[/quote:f31f712f8b] I thought this song was a joke.
Oct 26, 2007 11:22pm by Deta!L - I just said that so you would stop bothering me.
hiphop sites take on the album - Mac Lethal - "11:11" - @@@ 10/16/2007 02:33 The collective hype of David 'Mac Lethal' Sheldon's 11:11 release has been tainted with mixed reviews and forum rants. Bypassing the near slander Scratch magazine printed about 11:11 before they folded, this critic disregarded opinions altogether before listening to the record. Mac announced signing with independent powerhouse, Rhymesayers in 2005. He began writing and recording his album immediately, and within a few months of jovial blogging, he claimed 11:11 was complete and was patiently waiting for label head, Sadiq Sayer's approval. Two years later, his debut becomes as "long awaited and most anticipated" as Non Phixion's The Future is Now in 2002. Without further ado, let's throw it in the deck and see what's up! We start with Mac telling a story from the roof of a factory on "Backward", a modern Lethal-in-Wonderland adventure depicting a man whose life was destroyed and rebuilt. From disclaimers to holding his dying mother, Mac starts a little slow and then bursts into deep unchallenging lyrical aggression over a mystic beat that should be on the Fable 2 video game. On "Calm Down Baby", our Grandmothers are threatened if we clown his hick accent, and we're told his music taste is better than ours. His first taste of heartbreak is told from a middle school perspective and it's hard to believe this guy is 25 years old. "Rotten Apple Pie" tells more school stories of purple trapper keepers and Mac getting pregnant with Ava Gardner's children. His rhyme style is heavily influenced by Slug, equipped with fantasy references and Mac's own computer love twang. DJ Sku lays not quite four bars of mediocre cuts at the end. "Make Out Bandit" is an adolescent song about making out with women and never talking to them again. The chorus and Mac's Nate Dogg impression are no more than dull. Skipping to "Pound That Beer", the song comes off as an energetic beer chant that is really hard to sit through as well. His double-time flow is off and it would probably be more entertaining to watch this song live than hear it in the car. "Jihad" is another anti-religion, pro-alcoholism slap to corporate America's face with Snuffleupagus and Darwin references, while hailing George Carlin. Don't ask. "I'll go back to church when the Chiefs win the Super bowl," he proclaims. Next, the song "Crazy" has a "Soulja Boy Tellem" meets The Three Amigos style beat. If you can get over the simple chorus concept, you might enjoy the multi-syllabic rhymes about Carlos Mencia and being a Kansas City piece of Euro-Trash. Eminem would be proud of his mentee. You don't need a song titled, "Know It All" to realize Mac thinks that way. The production has another video game vibe with drums that sound like they were sponsored by Tinker Toys. His flow is a complete Slug bite. While the content is in-depth, the style is noticeably bitten, which is the cardinal sin. "Sledgehammer" is a solid song with a fierce rhyme pattern over an almost reggaeton track. Thicker drums enhance the listening pleasure on this one. Bravo! "Die Slow" has a brilliant acoustic guitar sample and tribal beat. The harmonica was a great touch. Mac cries, "I swear to God there's something trying to steal my sound" in the chorus, while trying to explain how he's a rapper that doesn't like rap and introduce us to the disease that grows under his skin. "Lithium Lips" is an enjoyable love story over an "I Dream of Genie" on heroin type beat. "Girls learn sexiness, women teach class." By this point, it's safe to say that Slug wants his style back. "Tell Me Goodbye" is a shot at political and revolutionary rappers. Nestled safe in his upper-class Overland Park, Kansas City home, Mac never had a struggle to fight for, so he's unable to fathom the reasons for resistance. "Sun Storm" touches on homosexual marriage, alcoholism, rainstorms, and beautiful things in his grasp. The beat is Dove Shack influenced. The bonus track, 11 Out of 10 is one of the best songs on the album. Mac snaps on a level that would make Chino XL extend his hand. The beat pounds hard with the rhythm of Elizabeth Taylor's heart. There are definitely corny parts to this album, but Mac's creative wordplay draws you back to the songs and beats you enjoy most. As a whole, the album is inbetween tolerable and enjoyable. - Aaron James White
Oct 27, 2007 07:57am by maclethal
hiphopdx.com's take Nowadays the art of rapping has deteriorated into nothing more than a â€œlather, rinse, repeatâ€-style cycle rather than a Byzantine lyrical structure. Make some 16 sentences rhyme, place said sentences over a beat for a few minutes, do the same thing over the course of an hour or so and wah-lah! Rappers have the recipe for a record destined to sell more in ringtones than actual album sales. This rather disturbing trend has seemingly replaced to artistic endeavors of this musical carousel known as hip-hop, where flaccid, one-hit fixes are more in demand than the genre-altering kilos of versatile lexicons. Where its origins lie may be difficult to pinpoint, but its influence is heavily prevalent from the Left to the East. Interestingly enough, it is the Midwestern region that has been able to strike a balance between the dance-happy styles of the South, the laid back demeanor of the West and rugged fury of the North, creating a unique mish-mash of beats, rhymes and life. Though artists like Diverse and The Molemen have made some noise in the underground, it is the Minnesota indy powerhouse Rhymesayers Entertainment that has provided the brightest spark, with fan favorites Atmosphere, Brother Ali and their mighty spit kicker MF DOOM aligned to the label. After releasing Aliâ€™s critically acclaimed The Undisputed Truth earlier this year, the label seeks to keep their winning streak intact with Kansas City native Mac Lethalâ€™s 11:11. Gee, Macâ€¦what are we gonna do about this Kansan accent of yours? Mac is fully aware of his interesting conundrum with his vocal inflections, so much so that he spends some time focusing on his intonation. He doesnâ€™t need to however, as his skills on the microphone are well above average and able to keep the listenerâ€™s attention, as evidenced on the albumâ€™s jumpoff Backward. With the obvious comparisons to that other great White Midwestern hype, Mac Lethal packs the album full of witty one-liners, self-deprecating humor and â€“ as is the norm around the Rhymesayers clique â€“ some socio-political commentary. This is all delivered with an almost nerdy-yet-anti-hipster punch, as evidenced on the dub plate-tinged Rotten Apple Pie, where Mac points out the contradictory nature of Americaâ€™s value system, slyly adding â€œI'd rather beat a dead horse than throw a saddle on it and ride it/man, it ainâ€™t goinâ€™ nowhere!â€ Despite the goofy misstep of the House Of Pain-inspired Pound That Beer, the album rarely hits a tedious downward spiral. On the soul-sampled Calm Down Baby, Lethal is quite contempt with living the life of a loner, a standard of living that is exemplified on the philandererâ€™s anthem Make Out Bandit and the hilarious Lithium Lips, the closest thing to a pseudo-song for the ladies. But all witty cynicism aside, Mac kicks self-serving truthers in their teeth on Tell Me Goodbye, while the Abercrombie & Fitch crowd catch a bad one on Jihad. 11:11 is a welcome change of pace from the normally paranoid Rhymesayers roster. Despite its inevitable (albeit quasi-stereotypical) similarities toInterscopeâ€™s melanin-deprived cash cow, Mac Lethal adds yet another golden star to Rhymesayersâ€™ impressive rÃ©sumÃ©.
Oct 27, 2007 07:57am by maclethal
Stylus Magazine's take Mac Lethal 11:11 Rhymesayers 2007 A- ee, Macâ€¦what are we gonna do about this Kansan accent of yours?â€ â€œWell, self, since youâ€™re asking in the third person, weâ€™re gonna keep it! Because it makes us prettyâ€¦and uniqueâ€¦and beautiful. Like birds!â€ The segue between â€œCalm Down Babyâ€ and the above monologue is startling, because it forces out in the open exactly what you were thinking, that, â€œman, this song could be really good if the guy didnâ€™t sound soâ€¦white.â€ But when in this Beasties-loving nation did we let it get to the point where our expectations flounder the moment a rapperâ€™s â€œwhitenessâ€ is made apparent? The reason I ask is because Mac Lethal is no klutz on the beat, makes no pretensions towards slang he doesnâ€™t use in real life, and given his subject matter itâ€™s intensely believable that his songsâ€™ â€œcharacterâ€ is no inflated version of himself. And if he addresses the temptation to apologize about his cadence, he need not for his ferocious sense of rhythm and singsong. This Rhymesayers latecomer spits lyrics that throw in the absurd the way your friends do in buddy-talk rather than to flaunt his dictionary. Think everything you ever wanted Atmosphere to be, but far funnier (â€œIf Yoko Ono gave you herpes would you call it strawberry fields forever?â€) and culturally interesting (â€œI'm from a city where there's actually people / that are bothered by the thought of homosexual marriage/ The bible belt/ friendly smiles and Christian steeples/ and names like Bobby Sue Jenkins and Belinda Peeplesâ€). The secret of 11:11 is old-fashioned: it doesnâ€™t tire itself out, so it doesnâ€™t let up once, a test Aesop Rock (you can punch holes in None Shall Pass like drywall), Lifesavas (falls asleep in the middle) and Brother Ali (not once transcends â€œconsistently pleasantâ€) all flunk. By track 12, Lethalâ€™s not only still on his game, but â€œTell Me Goodbyeâ€ is the diss rap of the year. Common types usually only get called on their "conscious" bullshit by us scholars, so itâ€™s nice to see a fellow artist unwilling to empty his tear ducts for just any 9/11 song that announces itself: â€œI think that itâ€™s a cunning motif/ of how youâ€™re flooding the streets with propaganda/ all about how thereâ€™s no justice or peace/ but one thing you never mention/ is how you do it all for your own damn attention.â€ Good jokes and beats are plenty, but his humanist center is what brings off his observations: â€œPound That Beerâ€ makes fun of frat-jocks without sounding like a petty asshole, and â€œLithium Lipsâ€ is the best rejection Slug never had (probably because Lethal refuses to pity himself for not getting the girl at the end). Did I mention â€œCalm Down Babyâ€ (â€œIf I grew my hair out, I'd probably look like Fergieâ€) and â€œRotten Apple Pieâ€ (â€œI'd rather beat a dead horse than throw a saddle on it and ride itâ€) are a fucking clever-ass 1-2? So donâ€™t clown on his accent. Heâ€™ll whip your catâ€™s ass.
Oct 27, 2007 07:59am by maclethal
Rolling Stone's take: Kansas City, Missouri, rapper Mac Lethal has about as much wigger in him as Peter Bjorn and John. Fitting perfectly articulated rhymes to efficiently catchy beats in an accent as Middle American as canned peaches, he's a contemporary cross between a folk singer and a stand-up comic. An "alcoholic anti-mall anti-hero anti-soccer mom anti-hipster" who also claims the title "Make Out Bandit," he has a good sense of rhythm and not much funk. So these fourteen songs are never classic or deep -- not even the atheist "Jihad!" or the smitten "Lithium Lips." But almost every one will engage your interest and stick in your mind. The finale celebrates his limited, beloved hometown: "The meth-lab city of broken dreams and cracked-out dopamines/Where everybody's looking for an ocean scene." Lethal's conclusion: "I think I'm satisfied but it won't last." He's not going anywhere, though -- and he makes something of it. ROBERT CHRISTGAU (Posted: Oct 18, 2007)
Oct 27, 2007 08:00am by maclethal
Detour Mag's take: MAC LETHAL, 11:11 (Rhymesayers, 2007) He rhymes â€œpurple TrapperKeeperâ€ with â€œOlâ€™ Dirty Bastard T-shirt,â€ steals girls from thugs, warps the red alert buzzword â€œJihad!â€ into an absurdist riff on the destruction of the Midwest milquetoast hierarchy â€” Abercrombie moms, Applebeeâ€™s as Hades, and the teetotalers who restrict beer sales on Sunday â€” and writes songs about drinking that are as cynically twisted as the rest of his material. Heâ€™s Mac Lethal, and heâ€™s from Kansas City, Mo. Lethal has flow that is, well, lethal. Heâ€™s won contests and everything, and periodically switches into a rapid-fire diction that rips common knowledge nouns from their moorings and drops them into his weird, angry hopper (â€Johnny Rotten! OxyContin!â€). But on 11:11, his Rhymesayers debut, he keeps things mid-tempo, too. The storylines of â€œCrazy,â€ â€œMake-Out Bandit,â€ and â€œKnow it Allâ€ are purposely graspable, the better for all of us to be schooled in his P.O.V. Lethalâ€™s world view is warped, and as much as he hates everything, he loves cutting it all down with a few well-placed lines. (Other objects of his ire: Vegans, Fergie, high school pricks, hipsters, and Kirk Cameron.) And while the production here acknowledges an underground influence, as an MC Lethal isnâ€™t conscious of anything other than knowing it all, and getting kind of pissed about it. As he says on the typically bluntly-named â€œKnow it All,â€ â€œI know a world thatâ€™s destroying itself.â€ Heâ€™s probably stockpiling barbecue from Arthur Bryantâ€™s right now, so heâ€™ll be happy during the coming Crapocalypse. â€” Johnny Loftus Tags: Mac Lethal, Rhymesayers
Oct 27, 2007 08:00am by maclethal
Experimusic.com's take: Mac Lethal aka McCleary Sheldon is a 26 year Kansas-born rapper who specialises in a unique brand of edgy, sarcastic and truth-speaking hip-hop. As the winner of the 2002 Scribble Jam MC Battle, Mac Lethal has proven lyrical ability and lets it rip on '11:11'. Mac Lethal is a rapper with a lot to say and let's rip by delivering a vocal tirade against trophy wives, soccer moms, hipsters, politicians who've been caught red-handed in compromising situations, trendy-ass political rappers, mindless commercialism, Nigerian scammers and everything in between. On '11:11' listeners will be exposed to a variety of styles, both instrumentally and vocally. The opener `Backward' solemnly announces Mac Lethal's arrival over a solitary organ. As the progressive beat kicks in over a mellow jazz vibe, Mac Lethal increases tempo and provides a sharp edged and highly personal insight into his life via a switch-heavy delivery which sees him ride the beat giftedly. `Pound That Beer' features Mac Lethal rapping at light speed over a uncluttered old-skool beat but the simplistic chorus detracts from the quality rapping. The warping and pulsating maze that is `Jihad!' see's Mac Lethal at his most energetic whilst `Know It All' is a cynical yet meticulously observed social commentary which is wonderfully offset with a rolling and understated electro hook. Elsewhere, there are commercially minded beats with a southern-twist, like the track `Die Slow', which sees Mac Lethal switch his vocal delivery from South-side to west-coast gangster whilst the atmospheric soundscapes, unhurried tempo and dragging industrial beats of `Lithium Lips' shows another side to Mac's style. Towards the end of the album, `Tell Me Goodbye' stands out with its un-quivering wake-up call to the rap community in which Mac Lethal preys on rappers who create tracks based on the misfortune of others in a attempt to sell records rather than promote a real message. '11:11' is a true rap album in that the lyrics convey powerful messages and provide a social commentary on obvious (and sometimes obscure) situations which serve to educate the listener. That being said, the beats are pretty damn good too, with producers Seven, Lenny D and Lazerbeak creating playful, driven and varied instrumentals which compliment Mac Lethal's vocal delivery. It would have been nice to see a few guest slots in order to add a touch of variation to proceedings but that's a minor quibble. Those looking for a hip-hop album for the headphones rather than for un-captive situations like cruising should bag this release sharpish. (AM)
Oct 27, 2007 08:01am by maclethal
Minnesota Daily's take: Killer honesty by label newcomer Mac Lethal proves that he has what it takes to stand out from his roster-mates. By Megan Kadrmas ince Mac Lethal's new album is the Kansas City, Mo., native's first under the Rhymesayers stamp, I figured it would be heavy on the socio-political commentary and conspiracy theories, a reoccurring theme in the music of Rhymesayers' greats Brother Ali, Atmosphere and I Self Devine. What I didn't expect, however, was how funny Lethal's Rhymesayers debut "11:11" would be. Or how true. He's a gangly Midwestern white rapper, like many from the Rhymesayers crew. But unlike the rest of its roster, Mac Lethal can elicit smiles and head nods from serious subjects, whereas the rest need to make dark, serious songs about the world's ills. Mac Lethal fits the label's image, but he has a knack for accidentally saying things that are so simple but oh-so honest, which is hands-down the best part of "11:11." In fact, Lethal wants the world to have a drunken dance party for all of our messed up problems. "Pound That Beer" is like an Irish hip-hop version of a Gwen Stefani song. It's upbeat, but with a heavy bass line, and a Stefani-esque marching band riff. Daily ALBUM: â€œ11:11â€ ARTIST: Mac Lethal LABEL: Rhymesayers Entertainment It's simple in its message, which is essentially summed up in the track title and expounded on throughout it. The track's a pub anthem, a drinking song that is also danceable. It's a fizz-filled, poppy song without much substance. But as Lethal says in the song, it's not supposed to be an intellectual track: "This is one of those ignorant anthems/Be intellectual all you want/but we've got the nectar of the gods here," he says, taunting trendy, hipster, elitist hip-hop fans, those smug cats at the back of the show rolling their eyes and making highly intellectual comments about everything happening on stage and in the crowd. He's not waging war against any of his pet peeves; he's just thrusting double-middle fingers in their faces. Lethal excels in accidentally striking a nerve that delves deep into American culture. He's not trying hard to expound his opinions, which makes "11:11" fun and easy to listen to. However, this simplicity does not devalue his message, because the underlying truth of the message rings true. Lethal says the things everyone thinks but no one says are worth mentioning, and he proves that it is worthwhile to mention these basic, little cynical thoughts. Like in "Rotten Apple Pie," which Mac introduces with "Look, I know you're in the building, rapper/ Studios are always in the building; they're not outside." He goes on, in a slightly cocky but stoner-loping way, to complete a verbal drive-by of almost every American value, like how he slips in at the end of a line that text messaging is ruining the world; or in "Lithium Lips," the closest thing self-proclaimed bachelor-for-life Lethal has to a love song, where he casually raps, "Girls learn sexiness/ Women teach class." The song itself is slow and seductive, like the muse Lethal vividly paints through his lyrics. Throughout "11:11" Mac Lethal is at his best when he sounds completely unaware of it. When he tries to be intellectual and witty, he sounds like the rest of the Rhymesayers clique. It's when he accepts that he has a farmer's accent, a goofy thought-process and a warped view of the world and moves on from these themes that he speaks the truth and separates himself from the rest of the paranoia-plagued, lanky Midwestern rappers on his label.
Oct 27, 2007 08:03am by maclethal
I forget who's take this is: Kansas City representative and former Scribble Jam champ Mac Lethal adds a dose of observational humor to his signature lyrical sarcasm on the Rhymesayers release 11:11. Speaking on range of everyday topics (his favorites seem to be beer, making out with strangers, and half-hearted protest music), Mac declares himself anti-almost everything but "pro-eating Captain Crunch cereal for dinner" and makes humbling statements somehow boastful (i.e. "See I could never date a girl that's on a magazine cover/'cause self-absorbed women don't make good lovers"). 11:11 is a clever, conversational rap record fueled by snarky humor and stoner cynicism. Production comes courtesy of Seven, Lenny D, and Lazerbeak.
Oct 27, 2007 08:07am by maclethal
fatcity.uk: Mac Lethal 11:11 NOW ON DOUBLE VINYL! Don't be put off or scared by the album sleeve - this is very good! Mac Lethal is a new signing to Rhymesayers, hailing from Kansas City (of all places). This album has a similar sound to that of Atmosphere and Brother Ali, with excellent lyrical content and quality beats (although they are not provided by Ant). All topics are covered by Mac Lethal and on the strength of this release he is about to fly!
Oct 27, 2007 08:11am by maclethal
Mac Lethal's long-awaited debut on the label Rhymesayers, 11:11, hails from the mean streets of Kansas City and is one of the best rap albums of the year. In the past, he was primarily known as a freestyler, but his rhymes feel neither patched together nor trapped within song. In "Backward," which serves as a sort of declaration of intent for the album, his verses begin slow, but the song gains momentum until a blustering, breathless conclusion speeds by your ears. The productions are varied, but by and large are more reminiscent of The Black Album than grim Def-Jux noise constructions. Rather than giving the album the wallpaper sheen, the Kanye West-style songs like "Calm Down Baby" and "Make-Out Bandit" emphasize the bounce in his flow. "This ain't no independent rap beat," he says at the start of one track. "Listen to that bass, it'll flip your car over."
Oct 27, 2007 08:13am by maclethal
Mac Lethal 11:11 hip-hop 3.5 stars White rappers tend to either spend too much time justifying their talents in spite of race or they make peace with who they are and just rap. Mac Lethal is the best poster-boy for the latter since Eminem. "If I grew my hair out I'd probably look like Fergie," he quips on "Calm Down Baby," getting the race issue out of the way so that the rest of the album can focus on his skill. "Backward" and "Pound That Beer" flex Lethal's flow, showing off a nimble, tongue-twistingly rapid style. Varied themes keep the album exciting, and they're only half of what makes his verses so great. "Know It All" reflects on problems with negative people, and "Jihad!" name-checks a slew of celebrities in one of this year's wittiest rap songs. The production on the album is passable, but the energy of Lethal's rhymes is too attention-grabbing to let the listener dwell on any musical shortcomings. ---- Right. Seven, Beak and Lenny D make passable beats. Here I'll find one tha trashes my raps.
Oct 27, 2007 08:16am by maclethal
There are a lot of wordsâ€”and I mean a lotâ€”on Mac Lethal's Rhymesayers debut, 11:11, but none as resonant as those that introduce the chorus of closer "Sun Storm": "I need to move the hell out of my own way." The Kansas City native (born David McCleary Sheldon) has been building steam as a battle rapper for a long time, taking the Scribble Jam title in 2002 and being named one of Urb's Next 100 in 2003, and he's put thousands of miles behind him touring with Sage Francis and labelmates P.O.S. and Atmosphere. In a live setting, his flow is a torrent of ideas and his delivery razor sharp, cutting through the clutter of bass and beats. If there are basically two types of rappersâ€”writers and freestylersâ€”he's one of the kings of freestyle, and so it's disappointing, but not entirely surprising, that his gleam loses some of its luster when tied down to actual songs and hooks. 11:11 is chock full of pointed observations, and it's clear that Mac Lethal feels in no way beholden to typical rap topics. "I used to like Tool," he declares on "Calm Down Baby," "Till they made the same album / they made the last time they made the same album. / Every time they make a damn album it's the same album really / and only stoners listen to their music. / It's silly." It's probably the album's best single line, and it's also on the album's best track, a soulful, doo-wop laced organ jam courtesy of Twin Cities producer Lazerbeak. Mac goes on to proclaim his love for the Deftones, Wilco, Nick Drake, Ice-T and Wu-Tang Clan, but none of those artists' influence seems to figure heavily in the album's sound. "Crazy" has a reggae lean, "Jihad!" has (surprise!) a Middle Eastern hook, and "Sun Storm" has delicately picked acoustic guitarsâ€”in short, it covers the expected ground for an independent hip-hop release, even when Mac rails against it. "Please don't take out your lighters," he asks on "Sun Storm," despite the track fairly demanding it. "This is not a independent rap beat, can you tell?" he asks on "Crazy," even though its reggae overtones are hardly revolutionary. The record hits its sonic highpoint with "Pound That Beer," a track based around the jittery snare and pounding bass of a marching band. The beat is relentless, and it drives Mac's flow on the verses to insane speeds. Unfortunately, the chorus reduces his hyper-intelligent but resolutely blue-collar identity to a frat boy cutout. "BEER MAKES US FIRED UP SO COME ON! / DRINK IT ALL NIGHT LONG! / SLAM IT GIRL! SLAM IT GIRL!" goes the shouted chorus, and it's hard not to imagine a bar full of drunk assholes in baseball hats and rugby shirts chanting along. The interpretation of his message is obviously not under Mac Lethal's control, but it's exactly the kind of track that seems funny in a small club with your friends and threatening when a bunch of toolbags appropriate it as their anthem for getting hammered, dude. For such a non-conformist, for a rapper who insists on questioning everything about culture from religion to veganism to the real motives of activists, it's frustrating how traditional a record this is. His verses display a keen eye for detail, a conflicted soul, and a clear idea about what it takes to get his message across to people in an entertaining and thought-provoking way, but the choruses water down the songs, and his strict adherence to a chorus/verse/chorus structure doesn't break enough rules. There's a fantastic and original voice in there, but it's trapped inside of three and a half minute walls. In short, he needs to get out of his own way. There are people out there who will love this album, and for whom Mac Lethal's crotchety, grumpy, misanthropic style will resonate. After all, who hasn't gotten sick of the bullshit that goes along with every movement or lifestyle choice? In "Tell Me Goodbye," he makes a pointed criticism of the way every single tragic event spawns a song dedicated to it, and how for every artist who's genuinely concerned about the world, there are ten ready to promote themselves through someone else's tragedy. It's a complex and icky pointâ€”a tough position to take, but one that can at least spark an interesting discussion. After calling out those aforementioned activists for being attention seekers, he demands, "You want to be an activist? / Be a real activist!" I'd be thrilled to see Mac Lethal take some of that advice to heart with regards to his own music and make his songs hit as hard as his individual lines, and eventually an album that cuts as quick as his rhymes.
Oct 27, 2007 08:19am by maclethal
There ya go. Read all of those and you know exactly how the record sounds. Right? You don't even need to hear it for yourself. Thousands upon thousands of words convinced your own eardrums!
Oct 27, 2007 01:34pm by Fur1ous - "She said, 'who the fuck died and made you God?' I said, Jesus"
hey Mac, I gotta ask you man.....how do you feel about being compared to Eminem? He's pretty much "the bar" for all white MCs. For me, I would take that as a compliment cuz he's a phenomenal lyricist, but I'm wondering if you've ever given it any thought
Oct 27, 2007 03:14pm by maclethal
I dislike being compared to him because of our whiteness. But when the overall level of skill is compared to him, I get pretty flattered. Dude is easily top 5 of all time.
Oct 28, 2007 10:41pm by MilkDrop - http://milkisrhyming.blogspot.com/ www.myspace.com/soulofmycity www.myspace.com/soulproviderscrew Location: First City, KS
dope review on hhdx.com http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/reviews/id.863/title.mac-lethal-11-11