Joell Ortiz The Brick

Posted on 04.23.2007

Joell Ortiz
Album : The Brick
Release Date : April 24, 2007
KOCH Records

Review :
On his eagerly anticipated 2007 debut, THE BRICK, Brooklyn-based hip-hop artist Joell Ortiz unleashes a torrent of potent rhymes, revealing exactly why he was long touted as the one of the finest unsigned rappers on the planet. With its strikingly spare sonic backdrops and tough-love NYC attitude, the record allows Ortiz’s hard-hitting flow to stand out over all else, as best evinced on the fierce "125 Grams Pt. 1."

After signing a deal with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records, Ortiz releases his debut album-before-the-album deal, "The Brick (Bodega Chronicles)." Having earned a loyal following from his lyrically-driven mixtape performances, Brooklyn’s Ortiz is poised to make an impact with this highly anticipated independent album.

"The Brick (Bodega Chronicles)" features Immortal Technique, MOP, Ras Kass, Noyd, Graph and Stimuli, plus production by The Alchemist, Showbiz (DITC), Fame of M.O.P., Moss and more.

Ortiz says, "I love this album because I made it while I was going through the industry bullshit of trying to get signed and some tough times, personally. Its full of pain and rage and you can hear it. Its a soundtrack to the hood version of David vs. Goliath. Thats the best way to describe it. If youve ever gone through some rough waters, this album is for you. Its the common mans music. Industry people, so-called cool guys and posers, dont get this music and they never will. Its not for them. Its for us."

Tracklisting :
1. 125 Pt. 1
2. Brooklyn - (remix, featuring Cashmere/Maino/Big Daddy Kane)
3. Caught Up
4. 125 Pt. 2 (HipHopGame.com Freestyle)
5. Keep On Calling - (with Akon)
6. 2Tone Interlude
7. Little Fun
8. Latino
9. Testing - (with Sauce Money)
10. 125 Pt. 4 (History)
11. Kay Slay Freestyle
12. 125 Pt. 5 (Cooper Project Blues)
13. Night In My P’s - (with Big Noyd)
14. 125 Pt. 6 (Metaphor Murder)
15. Brooklyn Bulls
16. BQE
17. 125 Pt. 7 (Connections) - (featuring Ras Kass/Sha Stimuli/Graph/Gab Gotcha)
18. 125 Pt. 8 (Finale)