New Music: DJ Quik & Problem – “Rosecrans – EP”
David Marvin Blake, a.k.a. DJ Quik, caught the eye of the streets with his self-made mix tapes.
He later signed with Profile Records where he made his debut in 1991 with the album “Quik is the Name.” Like other South Central rap legends, he is the embodiment of the West Coast sound.
In his mellow, soft voice you can find the roughness from the streets, the hustle from growing up in Compton to finally making a living through music and wealth.
His profuse words and production is still alive and is like a legend that has been passed on from generation to generation.
DJ Quik’s “Rosecrans – EP” is a joint project with new school lyricist Problem.
A veteran and a rookie came together to bring the West Coast sound to your speakers.
“Rosecrans – EP” is the summertime hot weather, women in bikinis and club vibe all wrapped up in a short but sweet six song album with features from The Game, Wiz Khalifa and Bad Lucc.
The opening track “Rosecrans,” begins with classic G-Funk synths accompanied by sound of the trumpets and snare.
The song is a dedication to Rosecrans Avenue, a long stretch of road that begins in Manhattan Beach and intersects at Euclid Street in Fullerton, California.
It is meant to be played while cruising in your car; the windows rolled down with cool shades and the bright sun illuminating your face.
To our misfortune, DJ Quik does not have a verse in the song but he does have a spoken bridge segment.
The track features Compton rapper The Game and a smooth hook from Candace Boyd.
The second track, “A New Nite / Rosecrans Groove,” is a two-for-one deal that is nearly 10 minutes in length and samples 8-bit sounding tones reminiscent of early arcade and Atari games but still holds true to the mellow atmosphere. The track features Shy Carter for the hook while both DJ Quik and Problem spit bars and “spread love through these Compton streets.”
The second part to the track “Rosecrans Groove” is an instrumental track that is reminiscent of his work on earlier songs like “Quik’s Groove,” from his 2011 album “The Book of David.” This groove is an experiment with sounds and it is vintage DJ Quik.
Sometimes you just want to get lost in rhythm from the music and “This is Your Moment” and “Take It Off One Time” allow that. They are club vibe tracks that are not meant to have deep social meaning but they sure keep your head bobbing and your feet tapping.
“This is Your Moment” features Wiz Khalifa, Buddy and JP Cali and “Take It Off One Time” features Bad Lucc.
“You Are Everything” is a rappers rise to success and tells of a lavished life filled with expensive dinners, paid trips, women and positive vibes.
Problem states, “Judges to the Staples/we wanted on all courts.”
The fame in the rap game allows doors to be open but before the success they had to hustle their way through the streets.
“Straight to the City with it” is the final track and an ode to Los Angeles. It shows the listener that L.A. breeds successors though it can still be a tough city.
“Rosecrans – EP” is DJ Quik and Problem working to the best of their abilities. They are not your conscious lyric rap artists looking to change the world, but to pay tribute to a small section of it in South Central L.A..
They are two Compton natives coming together to deliver a groovy G-Funk EP that is well worth making summertime playlists all around Southern California.
