Raheem Devaughn- Art Of Noise [REVIEW]

Release Date: June 15, 2009

1. God Speed
2. So Amazing
3. Cocaine Dreams
4. Walk With You
5. Club Hop
6. Planet Body Rock
7. Wanna Love You
8. Night And Day
9. Talk $h@# to You
10.Object of Affection
11.Weather Man
12.Insomnia
13.Beat It Up
14.Desire Interlude
15.Lay Awhile
16.Back to Your Heart
17.Absent Heart
18.Hennesy Joint
19.Pieces of Clay

There is not many times that you get a mixtape from an R&B; artist but you see that many are crossing over because they have finally noticed that many people are not paying for music anymore and their best bet is to created that "buzz" through the mixtape. With Ne-Yo dropping exclusives regularly and Trey Songz doing numerous covers they are increasing their fan base. So Raheem Devaughn thought he would throw his hat in the ring by releasing a full length mixtape titled "Art of Noise." He was hitting the internet with exclusives for a long time but he decided to stop that and just put out a full length mixtape. So the question is will Raheem Devaughn deliver a knock out blow to his fans or will he fall flat on his face? Click read more to find out.

Lyrics: 10 As I listened to this mixtape it quickly reminded me of the R&B; great Marvin Gaye. Marvin Gaye is appreciated for creating many songs about women and making love such as "Let's Get it On" but he also he another side to him where he spoke about issues that were occuring in the world. This could be heard through "What's Going On" where he speaks on his disagreement with Vietnam War. Raheem Devaughn starts off his mixtape similarly by speaking on his disagreement with the war now and many other issues on "God Speed." Marvin Gaye did not just stop there but thought he wasn't heard the first time and released "Inner City Blues {Make Me Wanna Holler}" to articulate about poverty, tension between races and the war yet again. Raheem Devaughn keeps the comparison going by singing also about poverty, retirement plan and the war yet again also with "Cocaine Dreams." Many artists do not like to be compared to anyone but Raheem Devaughn was hoping for the comparison with the writing of these two particular tracks.

Production: 9 I felt that production on this mixtape was just as smooth as Raheem's music on the tracks. It seems that many of DMV artists have been going for a "go-go" sound for at least on one of their tracks and it has been working for me. So Raheem Devaughn followed suit and you can hear it on the track of "Object of Affection." But I think I could have did without Raheem's rendition of Al B. Sure's "Night and Day." I know on most mixtape it is proper etiquette to do a remake here and there but I think this one could have been left in the past for sure. Al B. Sure to tell him you respected his music though, Raheem.(Gosh, that was such a bad joke.)

Concept: 8 This mixtape flowed very well together. He touched on the issues he had about the world in the beginning of the mixtape and showed his respects to the man above on "So Amazing." Then he made a smooth transition back to normal Raheem Devaughn music with making music for the ladies. You can check that off with "Planet Body Rock." Of course as an R&B; artist he had to have at least one song with a sexual innuendo. You can check that off with "Weatherman." I can definitely feel the Art of Noise on this mixtape.

Dope Tracks

Planet Body Rock- This song has been on repeat on in my car since it was released on the mixtape. It is just the perfect two step song for sure. I can see it being played in lounges if it was actually released on the radio.

Beat It Up- This old school remake actually worked for me. It was extremely simple but extremely catchy chorus. "LIKE BA BA BA BA BARRY BONDS!!!"

Not So Dope Tracks

Club Hop featuring T-Pain- I have skipped this song so many times that I forgot it was actually on the mixtape. I am tired of every rapper/singer/former singer/person in the world repeating that "our president is black." That is not new information to us but thanks for reminding us yet again.

Night And Day- Yeah, this one just did not do it for me.

Verdict: 8.5/10

I have been playing this mixtape very often off the late night on my drive home. Raheem Devaughn definitely put his heart into this one and did not treat this like a mixtape. He actually treated like an album and not like it was just throwaway music to release to keep him relevant like some artist do. I will not say any names..yet. The songs on the mixtape were actually well developed and this mixtape could actually be seen as a album with just a few minor mistakes. But I am sure Raheem Devaughn will get everything in order by the time "The Love and War Mastepeace" is released. His music never disappoints.