STYLE: Hip-Hop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 178172-28960 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: Digital Only Album
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman
The latest addition to the sizeable back catalogue of prolific Texan rapper, entrepreneur and producer Greg Cooks is also the latest in the occasional series of the man's 'Bananas' albums. This offering from the artist better known as Puntin begins in cheerful fashion with jungle noises and an African safari guide warning his tourist customers about feeding the gorillas before Puntin and crew weigh in with a collection of serious minor key hip-hop pieces in jarring contrast to this breezy beginning. Marking his recent transition from "Christian rapper" to "life rapper", references to Puntin's faith are less exposed - they can still be found if you dig deep enough though - and he instead hones in on the analogy that life is a jungle without ever succumbing to the usual mainstream hip-hop traits of expletives, sexual innuendo and misogynistic bravado. Despite guest appearances from the likes of Ca$$o, A$E and Lavi$h Krish, the lack of stylistic variety between tracks and the album's general downbeat nature makes for an occasionally tedious listen although the sample-heavy soul of "I'm In Luv Wit Da Southside" closes proceedings in style whilst remaining in mid-tempo territory.
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