Hi! Welcome to another edition of “Demo reviews”. All you budding artists out there sent me your music so I could possibly shatter your dreams with my cynical and pointless opinion. If you’d like to submit a song, there are RULES. Read them in that link before you send me anything.
Anyway, the reviews work like so: I peep on song, write a paragraph of two about it then arbitrarily review it based on these four categories
Production
Vocals
Listenability
Originality
Honestly, the rating don’t mean much but I know how people like numbers.
This weeks batch is actually pretty solid, including one of the better demo’s I’ve ever received. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite at the bottom. Game on.

Artist: Badd
Song: That’s him

I do love a good Ric Flair sample but this shit is just kinda boring. At first I hated the rapper but he says a few lines that cracked me up. At the same time, other lines had me blushing cause they were so corny.
The beat is…well…like nothing. Some soft drums with an 808 and a bass tone. It feels as if this song was meant to have a particular feel to it and it just missed the boat.
Production:3 out of 10
Vocals:4.5 out of 10
Listenability:4.5 out of 10
Originality:3 out of 10

Artist: Walkingshoe
Song:Nora Ft. yU

This is really dope. The beat is bugged out and spacey. Really well made. The rapper is good too. Great voice, nice flow and an overall nice presence.
It’s cool cause the production feels totally original when matched with these types of rap vocals. I actually wish it were longer. My only complaint is that the beat doesn’t switch up but that’s pretty minor.
Production:7.5 out of 10
Vocals:7 out of 10
Listenability:7.5 out of 10
Originality:6 out of 10

Artist: Forty-xo
song:7 in the morning


I’ve come around to drake after his last album but this song is an example of why he’s still a problem. His influence on others who are less talented. This dude should not be singing ever. Never ever ever. I almost feel like this is a joke. i realize there are a slew of terrible singing rappers out there who sound slightly learning disabled and that’s a thing right now but this shit is just silly. The beat is not bad though, so there’s that.
Production:5.5 out of 10
Vocals:2 out of 10
Listenability:4 out of 10
Originality:1 out of 10

Artist: L-Theanine
Song: What’s happening

The rapper has his heart in the right place but that voice is too much for me to handle. I’m fully racist against white voice. I know, it’s not fair.
This is brand of underground verbose rap that I’m kinda over (with a few exceptions) so it’s hard for me to really care that much. Not their fault. More just a personal preference on my point. But he can rap on technical lever without question.
I like the beat. Some parts work better than others but it’s interesting.
Production:5 out of 10
Vocals:4.5 out of 10
Listenability:4.5 out of 10
Originality:4.5 out of 10

Artist: Professor Caveman
Song: Puffin’ down the Dart

Well, this is out of nowhere. This feels like just some old song. Is it? I’m actually confused. I rarely get like music so i really don’t know what to say about it. It’s well done, really well recorded. The singing is okay but does the job I suppose. I’m not really a rock and roll guy though so I don’t feel I have much perspective to review this kinda thing.
Production:6.5 out of 10
Vocals:5 out of 10
Listenability:5 out of 10
Originality:4.5 out of 10

Artist: Gatsby the Great
Song: Breathe


The beat is a nice mix of different styles. Well made and well arranged. The rapper is good and i can always appreciate a lisp. Still, he’s not drawing me into the song that much. I found myself listening more to the track than the raps.
Production:6 out of 10
Vocals:5 out of 10
Listenability:5.5 out of 10
Originality:4 out of 10

Artist: Saba
Song: Next Door

Am i just to old for this kinda shit? I may be. I don’t mind it. I see why this style is popular but it always feels lazy to me. I dunno why. Or maybe it’s just so clearly trying to be this thing that so many other people are doing that I can’t take it that seriously. It’s too bad cause I think they rapper/singer is actually pretty good. The beat is solid too. Well made and mixed. I just hate listening to a new rapper and knowing immediately who he listen to.
Production:5.5 out 10
Vocals:5.5 out of 10
Listenability:6 out of 10
Originality:1 out of 10

Artist: Benny Beyond and the Archaeologist
Song: Toupee

I like this beat in theory but it’s a touch abrasive for my actual taste. The crash drum dominates the mix a bit to much. Outside of that, it’s good though.
The rapping is fine. Not mad at it but also not too excited about it. Overall, pretty decent.
Production:5 out of 10
Vocals:5 out of 10
Listenability:5 out of 10
Originality:4.5 out of 10

What do you think?