A.G.
Everything’s Berri

Written by Dominick. Published: Monday, July 19, 2010.

From “West siiiide!” to “one love” and even the essential “keep it real”, there are plenty of sayings that have floated through the world of Hip-Hop over the years. Some stuck around and some, well, they just won’t go away (“no homo”). Making a strong challenge to be the next useless catch phrase I blurt out whenever given the opportunity is Everything’s Berri; the title and quasi mantra of longtime D.I.T.C. member A.G.’s new album. Cryptic designation and all, I’m unsure, exactly if it has any real meaning beyond a nod at the label (Red Apples 45) that this album was released on. You’ll have to delve into this new project for yourself to formulate a deduction about the title, which along with the notion that A.G. had in believing he’d quietly be able to cut an LP with only one, relatively unknown, non-D.I.T.C. affiliated producer at the helm and coming off a disappointing previous offering, is to say the least a tall, irrational order.

Last we heard from Andre The Giant, the Bronx bred emcee who has lent his life to making Hip-Hop as apart of the undeniably magnificent collective known as the Diggin’ In The Crates crew was faltering badly alongside fellow camp member O.C.. They had combined for a new album in 09’ called Oasis and while overall I wouldn’t label it “terrible”, it did leave much to be desired, especially if you’ve been an A.G. fan since the early 90’s. Perhaps picking up on the vibe that the true D.I.T.C. sound seemed to be what critics and enthusiasts alike were both clamoring for, Andre linked up with Ray West; a promising producer that also hails from the Bronx, who’s main production tools are of the same analog hardware ilk that helped define the boom bap and sample laden aura that early Diggin’ and A.G. LP’s were expressly known for. With West taking on the role of a Showbiz, Lord Finesse or Buckwild, the two set out to create an album that had a focus firmly rooted in the golden age sound of the 1990’s.

Beginning with a rousing nod to the region that birthed not only their career’s and their love affair’s with Hip-Hop we get “NY So Loud”, a soul drenched loop that readies you for some of the vintage tactics that will ensue later on. They certainly got our hopes up, but regrettably those prospects go pretty much un-fulfilled most of the way. West does hit several flash homerun’s when he leans on his involved sample grafting, but also fell into some un-wanted pockets musically too.

Hard luck narratives “Infected” and “Marcberri” stick out instantaneously as some of thee most memorable instances on Everything’s Berri. Stripped down, moody and full of A.G.’s dead pan brand of street lore, they definitely reach those lofty 90’s goals undoubtedly set by our composers. We only recieve that type of quality in spurts however, while even provided with a decent enough soundtrack, A.G. can’t seem to manage to deliver a project post 2003 that is void of silly mis-steps. One of the most obtrusive gaffe’s is the “berri” overdosing that goes down on “Berriville”, that not only comes off annoying, but borderline simple. Then there’s the extra lame “No She Didn’t”, “Tweet heart” and “Dreams”, that not only are the owner’s of a corny cadence/delivery on A.G.’s part, but also clearly pander to lonely chicks and are flippantly party’esque tracks, that at this point I really doubt any of Andre’s fans are seeking from him.

Momentarily our protagonist is able to put on a creative hat and yield sufficiently dope results with “Fuck The Club”; an anti-party track that highlights all that is so much iller going on on the exterior of the social establishment scene. It’s one of the rare (and maybe lone) moments when I didn’t exactly like West’s production, but A.G. saved things with a righteous rhyme performance. Our last hurrah comes last literally on “YMI Still Here”, as A.G. gives us a poignant, albeit depressing tune that reviews his personal connections to several of his fallen friends that also doubled as some of Hip-Hop’s most talented acts ever…It’s a great track that highlights the veteran status A.G. has forged in this genre’s landscape.

I can’t say that Everything’s Berri met my expectations, it came up well short of them in fact. I will comment that there are enough joints on here for you to give this album a few spins and then maybe pluck those few single jawns out individually, but as a whole A.G. and West’s chemistry has a ways to go before we catch up to whatever inspiration sparked the berri movement within them. I loved the cover artwork, only semi dug the music and really couldn’t get down with the theme. It’s a testament to A.G.’s talent that I was able to muster any type of positive love for this one at all the way the after taste of “berri” seems to uncomfortably linger on.

$14.50 out of $20.00

-Dominick “BIG D O” Ledezma

Category: Reviews