The glory days of Bone Thugs 'N Harmony may be behind us, and the only noise that's making news out of Cleveland is LeBron James, but fear not hip hop heads, the music scene in Cleveland is slowly coming back into the rap atmosphere. It started, with dat KiD called CuDi, who I might add, had a very impressive rookie year (by hip hop standards of course) Now, it seems since KiD CuDi has put the city of Cleveland on his back, he's made it possible for rap fans to actually take notice at what's happening with the rap scene there. One of those things to take notice (and a listen) to is rapper, Chip Tha Ripper. The 23 year old, has been making a name for himself, and has showcased his skills along side some of the newest rap kids on the block like, Big Sean (Kanye's protege frm Detroit), Curren$y (who isn't new, but his buzz is getting more attention than ever, and of course, KiD CuDi. For those who were lucky enough to hear this kid spit (just recently on Big Sean's "Okay") can now get to witness the whole story as DJ's Mick Boogie and Terry Urban present to you Chip Tha Ripper's mixtape, The Cleveland Show (inspired by the Family Guy spinoff of the same name). The mixtape takes off with the Boi 1da produced "Movie" The laidback, jazzy track sums up Chip's persona as he paints a vivid portrait : "Dawg my life is like a movie, all of the cars, and places we are, all my girls look like them girls from off in the movies/ Jammed packed with action, I swear my niggaz be packin' them choppers you be seeing in the movies/ We don't pretend to be industries, this is documentary..." Also adding "If you niggaz is hot/ Then call me 'Mc Extinguish'..." What Chip brings to the table is a variaty of things, his cooler-than-the-other-side-of-the-pillow demeanor flows nicely into every track. He's witty, insightful, and honest, and sometimes you can get all three of those qualities in one verse! Whether he's spitting over classic beats ( "Like That"), putting haters in their place ("Owe You"), paying homage to the artform ("Dear Hip Hop") or putting on for his city ("Back To Cleveland") you get a sense that this guy has been around for years, because he raps from a perspective most young, up and coming rappers don't. Chip entertains throughout the 27-tracks, with just a little filler here and there. Above all else, there's no denying that Chip Tha Ripper is exactly what the rap game needs right now. Being humble and just staying true to yourself is something that most rappers lack, and it's about time someone stepped up and showed a diffenent side of the spectrum. "Baby why me? I'm probably gon' be an asshole/ She don't care, she just wanna pose when the flash go..." Honesty at it's finest. Now that's a show worth tuning in to. I rate this: 4/5
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