Main Flow "Hip Hopulation"

Posted on 09.7.2004

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Main Flow
Album : Hip-Hopulation
Release Date : Sept 7, 2004
Label : Brick Records

Main Flow first stormed onto the scene as one third of the Cincinnati, Ohio super group Mood. Along with DJ Hi-Tek and Donte Fleming, the crew released their debut album "Doom" in 1997. From there the rest is history. Hi-Tek went on to superstardom through his work with Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Snoop Dogg, opening the gate for not only Main Flow but also everyone else in the Natti. Even though Hi-Tek helped propel the underground buzz for Main Flow, the veteran wordsmith is no tag along emcee. Flow is out to prove with his debut album "Hip Hopulation", that he is a great emcee in his own right, with or without Hi-Tek.

The lead single "Loving The Game" finds Flow vibing perfectly with Planet Asia over Reason’s rock solid production. The underground classic "Hip Hop Worth Dying For" also makes it way onto the album, and is easily one of Flows finest songs. Even though the track has been floating around for a while now, it remains a classic Main Flow & Talib Kweli collaboration. On the battle tip, "Delivery Tactics" featuring Mikah 9 and "Street Pay" featuring 7L & Esoteric are both hard as nails efforts that personify Main Flow’s hardcore edge. "Never Imagined" featuring Killah Priest & Masta Foul and "Seen It All" featuring GLK are more dope collaborations that succeed duo to solid production.

With an abundant amount of guests and producers, "Hip Hopulation" is an erratic effort from Main Flow that never really forms an identity of its own. Next time around Main Flow needs to cut down on the guest appearances and prove he can handle an entire album himself. There is no denying Flow’s skills on the mic, however, it takes more than dope lyrics to make a successful album, and unfortunately, Main Flow will have to find that out the hard way.

Producers : DJ Vin Roc, J-Rawls, Reason, 7L, DaRiffs, & Nace

Featuring : Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek, Soulstice, Black Thought (ROOTS), eLone, Defari, P-Killer (DMX’s Brother), Planet Asia, Maestro, 7L & Esoteric, Killah Priest, Dante (MOOD), Masta Fuol (MTV Lyricist’s Lounge) and commentary from David Blaine and Raekwon (WU TANG CLAN).

TrackListings :

1. Intro (feat. Raekwon & David Blaine)
2. Loving The Game (feat. Planet Asia)
3. The Wire
4. Classic (feat. Black Thought & Donte of Mood)
5. Such A Fool (feat. Soulstice)
6. Hip Hop Worth Dying For (feat. Talib Kweli)
7. Hi-Tek Freestyle
8. Dice Role
9. Worldwide (feat. Defari & P Killer)
10. Mister Know It All (feat. Mystro)
11. She Like Me (feat. eLone)
12. Toys, Games
13. Delivery Tactics (feat. Mikah 9)
14. Street Pay (feat. 7L & Esoteric)
15. Never Imagined (feat. Killah Priest & Master Foul)
16. See It All (feat. GLK)
17. She Likes Me (Beyonder Remix)