Album Review - Rye Rye: Go! Pop! Bang! (Deluxe Version)

Rye Rye
Go! Pop! Bang! (Deluxe Version)
Rating: Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It

4-5 years in this Internet music age is an eternity, especially when it comes to pop music. At only 16, Baltimore rapper/singer/dancer Rye Rye burst on the scene in 2006 with the club hit "Shake It To The Ground." Made with producer Blaqstarr, the track showcased Rye Rye's sassy, whipsmart flow, and ignited talk that she was the next big thing in hip-hop/R&B. The track came to the attention of M.I.A. and Diplo who loved the track and wanted to work with her. Following a tour with M.I.A., she hit the studio with M.I.A. and host of other top notch producers, including Bangladesh, Steve Angello , RedOne, and The Neptunes, with a release date set for March 2009, which ended up being delayed due to Rye Rye's pregnancy. Following more and more delays, including the apparent dissolution of M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. imprint, it seemed that Rye Rye's debut album would never see the light of day. In addition, the rapid ascension of Azealia Banks basically took over any notice of Rye Rye, and she seemed to be another one of those artists that would get swept under the rug. With little fanfare, promotion, or really anything for that matter, Go! Pop! Bang!, long delayed, slipped into stores. The album retains Rye Rye's sass and sheer joy at performing, and is as infectious an album as you will hear all year, but, aside from that, the album has some issues, namely that her record label has no idea what to do with her. Had they kept their hands out of everything, and let her do what she does best, it might have been a classic album, but no, they had to make the same mistake that Nicki Minaj's record label did, which is try to put a square peg in a round hole. I've never understood why female rappers have to be pushed to sing more or have more pop-leaning tracks. You never see male rappers pushed into the same direction. This lack of confidence in female rappers audiences merely hems the artists' creativity and makes them seem less original and distinctive.

Go! Pop! Bang! comes in two versions, and this is basically a recommendation to buy the Deluxe Version, which comes with 6 extra tracks including her breakout track "Shake It To The Ground." I realize this track is several years old, but it has never had an official releases and is the prime example of how brilliant she is. Showing a remarkable flow and wit, announcing she is all fun: "I'm not a gangsta girl/but a ghetto superstar."



And it is when she is given a pounding backing track and allowed to rhyme unfettered is when she shines the best. Lead track "Drop" features a slamming bass line and furious programming from Bangladesh, and is an all out call to get out on the dance floor: "Drop the 808s/so you know I'm gonna freak."



The party continues with "Holla Holla," another fun, booming track.



"Hotter," another Bangladesh-produced track, ups the ante again, focusing on another minimal backing track, deep bass line and simple synth line, allowing Rye Rye to do her thing.



Borrowing a sample from Madonna's "4 Minutes," "Dance" has another lightning fast flow from Rye Rye with the dizzy drum programming attempting to keep up with her.



Typically inventive programming highlights the Neptunes-produced "Shake Twist Drop (Featuring Tyga)."



But too often, instead of just letting Rye Rye run with it, you can sense the label heads forcing the record in another direction. First signs are apparent on "DNA (Featuring Porcelain Black)" which sounds like a Rihanna B-side, trying to tie Rye Rye's flow to a tired house track.



Most egregious is a pointless track with Akon, "Crazy Bitch," which basically grinds the record to a halt. Over a simple drum beat and strummed guitars, the track never takes off, basically focusing more on Akon and shoving Rye Rye into bit player territory.



"Boom Boom" is just another generic electro-house track that really anyone could have recorded.



Even the tracks with M.I.A., which aren't bad per se, smack of lack of confidence in Rye Rye's abilities, choosing to pair her with a more noted name to spark interest. "Sunshine" is a fairly low-key number, which at least has the common sense to let Rye Rye do her thing over the verses;



while "Better Than You" is a better, true collaboration, having M.I.A. and Rye Rye trade rhymes over a stunningly weird Ethel Merman sample from Annie Get Your Gun:



Despite the tendency of the album to seem cobbled together by record label committee, Go! Pop! Bang! is a deliriously fun record that easily overcomes these limitations. As I mentioned, just be sure to purchase the Deluxe Version which collects several pre-album tracks that are essential listening: "Shake It To The Ground," "Hardcore Girls," and "Bang (Featuring M.I.A.)." Hopefully, this record will not be overshadowed by other releases, including the upcoming juggernaut that is Azealia Banks, and will reach a wide audience. Also, hopefully there will not be any more delays in getting new material out. Go! Pop! Bang! is a great summer record that begs to be listened to at full blast with all the windows down.

Rating Scale:

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and piques one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.