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Only been slappin' one thing this week...

I have been knockin' One Block Radius's self titled album One Block Radius which was released in late 2008 by Island Def Jam. For those of you who don't know, One Block Radius consists of Marty James on vocals, Z-Man on rhymes, and DMA on the turntable and vocals. One Block Radius represent Cali to the fullest especially Nor Cal and L.A., with numerous references to the best place in the world, The Bay. Those of you familiar with Marty James of I Wear My Stunner Glasses at Night fame as well as a wealth of other songs will recognize the melodic sound that he is famous for. Z-man throws in splashes of his off the wall rhyme style that keeps the song fresh. DMA provides the cuts, as well as vocals that complete the trio. One Block Radius kicks off with We On which is an attack on your pre-conceived notions (I had them) on what you were getting your self into with One Block Radius.The track features production by Rick Rock so you know this track is going to bang, and it does. We On is a pure Hip Hop track. Shoplifta is up next and it has more of a club feel to it. Marty James has co-wrote/worked on some of the best club bangers in recent memories so it's no surprise to find Shoplifta on One Block Radius. Marty James's vocals actually sound like an alarm and Z's rap near the end of the track bring the song together to make it an official party jam. Screwin' It Up follows Shoplifta and it's probably my favorite track on One Block Radius. Screwin It Up features Marty James and DMA heavily with a small Z-man section, I'm not saying I don't like Z-man's lyrics but, Screwin It Up has more of a pop feel that lends its self well to DMA and Marty James. Maybe I like this song so much because I'm the world's biggest screw up, who really knows. The lead single of One Block Radius You Got Me is up next. You Got Me really doesn't sound like a Hip Hop song, with its haunting Marty James Vocals and non-break beat, but with Z-man's dope rhyme and cohesiveness of the three members You Got Me is actually a pretty dope song. Stand Up is the anomaly on One Block Radius with its harder lyrics and slumpier beat (a new word I made up, feel free to use it) featuring blaring horns and snapping snares, Stand Up is officially street fire. Stand Up features lyrics such as "Stand up and put your burner in the air" and "In California where we kill for scratch" which give it a distinctive feel to it and sets it aside from the rest of the album. That's not to say that Stand Up is unbelievable; it just has a deeper message then the rest of the album. Some of the other highlights of One Block Radius are Everyone I've Ever Known, another track about self loathing and how to turn yourself around, one of the best tracks on the album if I say so myself. Then we have Choc-O-Lot, another club slapper all about that sticky sweetness. Finally, we have All On Your Own, a highly produced single that really highlights each members talents. I really mean that this song is highly produced, listen to it on headphones each individual sound is perfected. I was really expecting something different from One Block Radius, but I was pleasantly surprised with their album One Block Radius. One Block Radius really hasn't gotten the exposure that they deserve, but hopefully with the success of their solo projects they can come back together and really blow. Go out and cop One Block Radius!