I was at the Santa Fee Swap Meet, and if you are from Southern California, this is the one of the many sacred grounds when it comes to collecting Chicano Rap. I was supposed to meet another Chicano Rap collector, JJhustle, at this swap meet, so I decided to look around while I waited on him. So I was scoping out the CD vendors and I was poaching to see if I can find some rarities. I found more than I can bargain for. I found some Mr. Shadow, Ese Lil Joker, Psycho Realm, CLS, and I actually found an East Coast Rap CD I needed (Big L "Lifestyles Of Da Poor & Dangerous"). I bought a good chunk of my CDs at the "Psycho Realm Store". If you ever go, stop by, check 'em out. They have good prices and some Psycho Realm gear. One of the Ese Lil Joker CDs I bought was "Dear Vato" I popped it in and gave it a listen and I wasn't dissapointed.
01. Intro
Basically starts where he left off from the backwards track " Ouy No Sekoj Eht" from his last album. Still saying "fuck eses busters etc." but not playing backwards. He is talking over a funk jam called "Nights Of Pleasures" by Loose Ends.
SCORE N/A
02. The Fool You Fear
Not going to lie, this is a VERY rough start. I thought I was going to regret buying this CD because his flow felt to OFF to this beat. I was very disappointed, because of this. Compared to his last album, every single song that he rapped to had a consistently perfect flow, and this is a strong departure from that. The beat is cool but that couldn't save Joker from his choppy flow. This is an example of what people think of Chicano Rap. Horrible, choppy flow with the emcee speaking all banged out. Not appealing either than the beat itself. Absolutely skip this at all costs. Samples Zapp & Roger " So Ruff, So Tuff".
4/10
03. This Is Our Party
This song really picks up the slack. I would consider this a cholo party song, the kind of cholo party song that foo's would bump when crashing a party crews party and ruining it because they were being to rowdy. "Crazy vato, bald head cholo, all brewed up acting real baboso (stupid)... Cause Imma get fucked up. Act a foo' till I'm throwing up." Its a really dope ass song. I would bump this while cruising. Samples Ronnie Hudson's "West Coast Pop Lock".
8/10
04. Spit On 'Um
I absolutely love this song. I think the flow and his voice really match this beat. I can say to near perfection. This song is a real gang bang anthem. This song is HARD as FUCK. "Spit on 'em, spit on 'em, lay that foo underground an' I'll bust a cap in that baseball hat then laugh when I swoop of rollin'." The song samples Newcleus "Jam On It". You haveto listen to this song, it just so good and gangster as fuck.
9.8/10
05. (Come Here...) Joker's Love Song
As the title states, it's Joker's "love" song. The song is so misogynistic to the point that it seems to be a parody and satire of how cholo's treat and think of women. I absolutely find this song hilarious considering that most men talk like this but don't act on this. I would think twice to play this in front of a woman I respect/love. Even though it seems to be satire, I am sure a woman won't take this lightly and would probably be angry at you for bumping this. PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK! Samples the song by Prince and the Revolution "Kiss".
8.5/10
06. Can't Keep A Good Man Down
A quick one verse song by Ese Lil Joker. Its a cool beat, sampling James & Bobby Purify "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down". Not much to say but it's short and sweet.
7/10
07. Dear Vato
"Dear Vato", a song where Ese Lil Joker reminisces about his homie, from his childhood, from times when they chilled on their block, smoking bud, putting in work, and having good times. I am 100 percent sure that his inspiration came from Tupac's "Dear Momma". The song's lyrics are good and the beat is dope. The beat sample is from Joe Sample "In All My Wildest Dreams".
7.7/10
08. Two Down Azz Locos (feat. Mr. Toker)
A really funky beat, dope lyrics but a gangster theme as usual. Except, we have a guest appearance by a new rapper known as Mr. Toker. I was expecting the worst with the feature, but he wasn't bad at all. Nice flow, and good lyrics. Definitely a dope track.
8/10
09. Affiliated (feat. Mr. Toker)
Right away you'll recognize the sample by Zapp and Roger "Dance floor". The flows f both rappers are good but its their typical gangster themes. Luckily, they both have skills on the mic so it isn't a bore to listen too. Not much to really say either than the beat and flow is good but lyrics need more variety.
7.8/10
10. Smokin' Herb
A pot smoking song, it is really laid back and chill. The sample is cool but I don't know who it belongs to unfortunately. The sample seems to be an old soul song. Really smooth and vibes well with Joker's lyrics.
7.5/10
11. Trip Wit' Joker
Man, I really love this song. The beat is so dope, laid back and funky. It really is a shame that I don't know it but god damn the song is so dope. Ese Lil Joker's flow really fits in this song. Just overall good chemistry. The chorus doesn't really fit the song until about the third and fourth verse when it feels more like a chill vibe smoking, and drinking song. The first two verses are more gangster oriented and violent like most of his songs are.
9.5/10
12. Gangster Funk
This beat is also really bad ass. I don't know this sample, but its sampled really well. This is more on the lines of what Delinquent Habits or a similar group would use. It has that West Coast's take on East Coast rap kind of feel. I am a sucker for these kind of beats. Ese Lil Joker's flow is on point as usual and his lyrics are the usual gangster themes. "Gangster ass crime, pinta time, this is my hood don't cross the line."
9.5/10
13. 13
A really cool quick verse by Ese Lil Joker on one of my favorite drum loops (next to "Friends" by Whodini) Tom Tom Club "Genius Of Love". Just another gangster themed song. He goes 1-13 in his verse about stuff he does and what he is about/ reps. Pretty cool.
8.3/10
I think its a huge improvement in the sense that he changes up the topics a bit and doesn't talk about the same thing over and over again. It had a lackluster intro song, but really picks it up from there. It is an absolute must have if you enjoy Ese Lil Joker. The samples in this one are really good.
This album is a 7.8/10.
01. Intro
02. The Fool You Fear
03. This Is Our Party
04. Spit On 'Um
05. (Come Here...) Joker's Love Song
06. Can't Keep A Good Man Down
07. Dear Vato
08. Two Down Azz Locos (feat. Mr. Toker)
09. Affiliated (feat. Mr. Toker)
10. Smokin' Herb
11. Trip Wit' Joker
12. Gangster Funk
13. 13
