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Duce Duce Entertainment artist Dash D.U.B. delves into deep subject matter over sonically enticing production on “Black Heart 3 (Part 1)”. The
project has a very dark overtone matching it’s title. Dash delivers meaningful bars full of social commentary (No Justice No Peace), his vulnerabilities (Daddy’s Song), and introspection (Under Pressure). While the project boasts top notch production on every song there are some shortcomings lyrically. Dash D.U.B.’s flow sometimes sounds forced and slightly clunky. Angelica Idalia lends her beautiful voice to three songs on the project. While label mate Victor Stoniallo and Vision stop by for high energy guest verses on “Ride” the release’s lone uptempo track.
The project is very short. With only 9 songs on “Black Heart 3”, there is little room for missteps. While there are no glaring weaknesses on the project there aren’t really any stand out tracks either. While the production on “Black Heart 3” could compare with many major label releases the lyrics are a little behind. D.U.B. is a rapper with a straight forward style similar to Styles P minus some of the creativity. Lines like “I feel like Rogue I’m absorbing your emotion” are found throughout the project and bring down the value on an otherwise stellar release. Flow issues aside “Black Heart 3” is a solid effort that shows the potential of Dash D.U.B. and his amazing ear for production.
Aaron “Uncanny” Phillips
Thank you for taking the time to review part 1 of my latest project Black Heart 3. I appreciate and respect your opinions and comments on this project. Many segments of this evaluation I agree with but their are a number of parts that I humbly disagree with.
I understand you probably have not heard the previous Black Heart projects but in my humble opinion my style and flow is never forced. It has been rather consistent since I put out my first project in 2009. My fan base knows that and has come to expect that from a Dash D.U.B. project.
I am not exactly sure what you meant by “Clunky” flow?? Maybe you are referring to my 90‘s, old school flow that is a little outdated by todays standards. The flow is definitely old school (lol). So if that was what you are referring to I can not disagree with you. I still play a lot of 2pac, DMX, Az, Styles P, so I know my flow has been heavily influenced by the 90‘s generation of emcees.
While you contend my flow is straight-forward (agreed) somewhat reminiscent of Styles P (without the creativity), I would argue our styles, content, and delivery are discernibly different. Any comparison to Styles P in my opinion is beyond flattering. I believe he had the second best album I have heard this year behind Kanye’s Yeezus, so I am whole-heartedly a Styles P fan, but thats why this comparison was troubling. Concept-wise, delivery-wise, and lyrical content-wise, their are some stark differences. I would contend Styles P has a hard-nose gangsta element to his rhymes and concepts, something I do not. I would also contend my work plays more on my audiences emotion and have tighter conceptual ideas. Our audiences are vastly different so we have to address them differently to retain them. I would challenge you to find a Styles P project where his concept, flow, delivery is similar to mine. I would be interested to see what you come with.
You also contend my lyrics are meaningful but overall lyrically I not up to par. My strengths as an emcee and writer come from putting together great concept records. I am in NO way comparing myself to these artist but look at someone like 2pac and Macklemore. I believe 2pac is the greatest rapper ever and though I am not a huge fan of Macklemore I have great respect for the emcee that makes great concept records that resonant with millions of people. Neither of the them I would say blow you away lyrically but they make GREAT songs and GREAT concept records! In my opinion punch lines don’t make the emcee, if that is what your were alluding to. This generation has plenty of punch line rappers but not too many great song makers. You can go through any of your favorite emcess and pick out one line that is not lyrically strong. Politicians do it all time with people’s interviews. They take one line out of context to support their claim. I am aware I am still growing as an emcee. I will always strive to get better at every aspect of my artistry but I disagreed with the Styles P comparison and the way you went about to support your opinion of subpar lyrics.
Lastly, my fan base would disagree with you that their are no stand out tracks. Two of the songs you highlighted in the beginning of the review and 7 Figure Dreams have risen from pack as strong fan favorites. Now, do I have a strong song for radio? Probably not, but even though I do not have an obvious radio single it does not diminish the strength of this project.
As I had stated in the beginning thank you for taking the time to review this project. I understand a review is a matter of opinion and I respect that opinion but I also want to give the readers a different perspective as well. Better yet, take a listen. YOU BE THE JUDGE!!
Thanks,
Dash D.U.B.
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