Global Casino Album Review

Global Casino is a Rap/Hip-Hop infused representation of Roots Kiwi music because it is very proud of its beginning and a place called South Auckland.

It opens with Ride ‘Till I Die which is a catchy first tune to set the tone for the rest of the tracks. The fourth track tied up starts with a harmonised hook into the song but I get over the Rap really quickly as it was monotonous and repetitive. The Warmth with Savage will resonate with all junior gangster rappers that the track is obviously targeting. I have trouble believing this track as an honest sound in this recording as the music and lyrics stop complementing each other, not to mention lacking back up from the first 7 tracks.

The last 7 draw deeper into gangster Rap and the tone of the CD changes once again. The constant references and comparison to gangsters and rappers make me lose more interest despite innovatively compiling guest
artists on the CD which eventually helps to break up the similar sounding backing tracks on the CD. As tracks play out it becomes more apparent that the lyrics are forced rather than genuine representations of struggle that would make the songs more understandable. The most notable in play up position with the very English accents and Spanish Rap on track 11 called This Goes Out To You that finally add something subtle to keep the music interesting. I would have this CD as low background music in a store or café but would not have it exploding out of my car stereo, however in saying that I can imagine that this artist will mature over time and find his own sound.

R3/5 I feel like I have hear this CD before and will hear it again, and it will sit in my CD rack.

Saving grace – South Pacific and Same Old Issues because they are understated and different to the rest of the tracks on this CD.