-AL-615-

Cousin of the notable rapper Nas, and member of the rapper’s crew, the Bravehearts, Nashawn has issued his solo attempt, “Napalm” in the hopes that he will be recognized as an artist in his own right. With the name of a someone like Nas backing him up, Nashawn makes the listener expect a level of lyricism worthy of being mentioned along side his mentor.

“Napalm” comes off as being a good album only when someone else of notoriety is involved. “Level 7 (Take a Picture)” is probably one of the best songs on the album, but makes one think its only because Nashawn exchanges bars with Nas, so the wack lyrics are balanced out by decent ones. The song comes off as being a horrible imitation of the famed Nas-AZ collaborations but in this case, only Nas holds up his end. “Tribute” uses lines from other rap legends like 2Pac, Big Pun, and Biggie in a fashion that is not very inventive. The
track would be good had hese borrowed lines and flows had been Nashawn’s completely. The track had an interesting concept but using lines and flows of the deceased rappers seemed irrelevant and lacked explanation. “Money Machine” featuring the Ying Yang Twins is just a horrible song. Despite what many would assume, the Ying Yang Twins have very little to do with the song’s failure. Nashawn saying lines like, “gettin’ my cake on and im not a believer/I hold heaters in my life like don and divas,” making the song simply unbearable.

Production on “Napalm” is fairly notable but the awkward hooks and sub-par lyrics bring down the overall worth of the track; many tracks are embarrassing to even listen to. “Choir Song” has a nice beat with an ominous choir singing, but the lyrics fall short and you find yourself listening to the beat and just ignoring the words. “Flash,” which uses a sample of the “Halloween Theme” would have been a good track to listen to just for the beat but then random gunshots throughout the song make it not worth the listen.

Nashawn is simply a mediocre rapper in the Braveheart camp trying to make a name for himself, but its time to go back to the drawing board when the best songs are the best songs only because someone else dominates half the track or just the hook. With the exception of “Generation,” “Level 7" and “Choir Song” none of the album is worth even giving a chance.

R.M

props, braveheats still making hits but the album was above ave