What chu move around here, and you know I keep my tool around here It’s unexpected enough to turn heads, dope enough to get spins, and Bleek’s verse show he’s out to win:Īnd I’m out eight in a morn’, dawg glock two around here Just Blaze eschews his trademark style for a slower and broader bassline of heavy thump, and not surprisingly Bleek enlists Southern all-stars T.I. With “Round Here,” the first single off his new album, he’s out to make an equally brash statement.
His debut album of the same name was shaky, but Bleek came into his own with 2001’s “The Understanding” and established himself as a veteran MC in hip-hop. Still Bleek has paid his dues and can date his career back to Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt” debut, with a rap on the track “Coming of Age.” There’s no Jay protege that’s been around longer or supported him stronger. He will be challenged on one hand by veteran artist Beanie Sigel, and on the other by popular up-and-comer Freeway not to mention the new generation of Roc-A-Fella artists following in their wake like the Young Gunz (Chris & Neef). It’s not a straight ascent upward for Bleek though. Still, as the opening skit of “M.A.D.E.” would indicate, the stepping down of the top dawg gives everybody else on the roster a chance to move up into that slot. This may be somewhat disingenious, as many musicians have “retired” only to make comebacks 2, 5, 10 or even 20 years and more later. Why? Because Jigga announced that “The Black Album” would be his last release, and that he’s going into retirement. Now is the time for Memphis Bleek though, and the streets are watching. When you’re Memphis Bleek, you’re caught between the uncomfortable dichotomy of being on one of rap’s hottest labels, yet always having to play second fiddle to labelmate Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter in respect and acclaim.