We Live: The Black Samurai [EP]

Track Listings

1. Opening Ceremony

2. We Live [Belief Mix]

3. Trudeau - Beba, C-Rayz Walz, LJ, Luminisah, Rashida

4. Showgun

5. Crayzeebeat - C-Rayz Walz, Lyrikill da Observer

6. Crayzeerock - Bleedin Gumz, C-Rayz Walz, Lyrikill da Observer

7. Single Mothers - Beba, C-Rayz Walz, , Imani, Krystal, Rachelle, Shani

8. Amore

9. Metal Petals

10. Rainforever - Bleedin Gumz, C-Rayz Walz, Lyrikill da Observer

11. 3 Card Molly

12. Closing Ritual

We Live: The Black Samurai,C-Rayz Walz,Definitive Jux,Alternative Rap,Pop,Rap & Hip-Hop,Rock/Pop,Underground Rap

Tracks:

Opening Ceremony
We Live [Belief Mix]
Trudeau - Beba, C-Rayz Walz, LJ, Luminisah, Rashida
Showgun
Crayzeebeat - C-Rayz Walz, Lyrikill da Observer
Crayzeerock - Bleedin Gumz, C-Rayz Walz, Lyrikill da Observer
Single Mothers - Beba, C-Rayz Walz, , Imani, Krystal, Rachelle, Shani
Amore
Metal Petals
Rainforever - Bleedin Gumz, C-Rayz Walz, Lyrikill da Observer
3 Card Molly
Closing Ritual

Customer Reviews:

Some of the sharpest swords from this BLACK SAMURAI!!.......2006-08-24

C-RAYZ is just one of those mc's thats just plain enjoyable to listen to. He lives+breathes hiphop so you know everytime he releases something he's put his heart+soul into it. (All you slacking rap artists out there, take note!!) This EP starts off smoothly with a japanese influenced intro instrumental then hits us off with "We Live [Belief Mix]", a slightly superior (in my opinion) version of this classic song. Next up is "Trudeau" and "Showgun", 2 of the tightest tracks, lyrically, on display. Then we bare witness to, in my opinion, the best beat on display "Crayzeebeat", and its used for a 30sec interlude??!!!! Why do so many artists do that?? Next up is the fantastic "Crayzeerock" where RAYZ goes wild on the mic coming up with some of the freshest ryhmes you'll hear. "Single Mothers" is an ode to the situation that is so common in every corner of the globe, backed up by "Amore" another soulful offering that allows the previous heat from tracks 3,4 and 6 to simmer down. "Metal Petals", an interlude is next followed by "Rainforever" (easily the best track on show here), where RAYZ tears it down big style. Finally we got another remix this time in the form of "3 Card Molly" and it ends with the same piece of music used for the intro. All in all an excellent EP, that if you can get on the cheap becomes an amazing EP.

C-Rayz with the right ears is always pleasing, quality EP.......2005-04-30

First of all I have to say that at a strictly face value, this album is awesome. Entering a store and seeing a 12 track cd deemed an EP and, thus, being priced as an EP is always pleasing. Some artists sell CDs with 11 tracks for more than 15 dollars, but C-Rayz sticks to a 12 track EP, though some are recycled from Ravi, at low cost. Right out the gate it earns points. But as for the content, its hard to really disagree with C-Rayz. There are those who feel his voice and style are a bit too uncoventional for hip hop. I, after hearing C-Rayz on Aesop Rock's Bent Life, was also apprehensive towards his style. However after hearing C-Rayz featured on other songs, such as Peruvian Cocaine by Immortal Technique, I realized that the unique voice and sporadic, almost nonsensical lyrics are quite soothing in this packaged, stale sound of hip hop today. Furthermore, C-Rayz can ride beats like a pro. His flow is never off and the general sound is most impressive. Ravipops does trump this album easily, but We Live is quality. C-Rayz always comes hard with lyrical prowess and the beats, though occasionally boring after a while, do compliment C-Rayz's style as he always has with his beats. They move in and out of soft and hard beats, though there are rarely any beats that fit a medium. There are also two 10-20 second tracks that are just beat introductions, both of which are INCREDIBLE despite being short as hell. The choruses are a bit weak, especially off Truneau, but these days adding a hook to a song typically damages the song regardless who the artist is. C-Rayz keeps his talent shining on this EP with quality, clever, humorous lyrics, the tight beats he is characteristic of, and the flow to make almost any song sound good. However this album is certainly not flawless, and in comparison to Ravipops, it could be deemed subpar. But as an EP, its as good as it gets with 12 tracks that will make your head nod. If you enjoy C-Rayz at all, its worth it to acquire this EP. And if you just pretend to like hip hop, then you can criticize C-Rayz and pretend like hes trash. But the reality is, he's nastier than 90% of MCs out there, including you critics. So give respect where respect is due, like to C-Rayz.

His best work to date..........2004-11-10

"We Live: The Black Samurai EP" by C Rayz Walz is his best work to date. C Rayz Walz is truly amazing as an emcee... This EP is almost perfect. It has enough universal appeal for new listeners but also has some odd and creative sentiments for the true fans. The best songs are CRAZEEROCK , AMORE and RAINFOREVER. Even the songs that are re-visited from Ravipops (like 3 CARD MOLLY and WE LIVE) are incredible because they are RE-DONE... and dramatically improved. This is a modern hip-hop classic.

C-minus for C-Rayz!.......2004-10-22

Well well well,

Any fan of the Def Jux line up knows that C-Rayz could kill the mic at one point. Now 2+ years since proving his skills on various underground & early Def Jux releases... he's got 2 full lengths under his belt. I'll admit I was a doubter when I first heard 'Ravipops'. I felt that his style wasn't tight enough & he relies on too many nonsensical lines & verses to make his songs make sense. After multiple listens & a growin appreciation for the beats on 'Ravi', I warmed up to it... even came to really like it. Then came the track 'Jello' on DJXP3, which was new territory for C, to actually be doing a song w/ an entire point. The verses made sense, & related to the point of the song. I thought this was a pretty tight track for C, & was therefore excited more for his new releases 'We Live'. Well let me just say that i'm terribly disappointed. First off the album starts w/ a Belief remix of 'We Live' which was featured on 'Ravi', & a remix of '3 card molly' from 'Ravi' as well. These are good songs, but i just feel that he should've saved them as b-sides for 'Ravi' released them bt/w the 'Ravi' singles... instead he releases a new album w/ not one remix'd old song but 2! So then there's the actual new songs... some of which are still bangers, most of which have darn good beats, only a few horribly commercial sounding. But the clincher that really takes this album from a B+ to a C- is the hooks! The hooks are so "sing-Songy" as another reviewer put it, & just plame simple & annoying, plus C has a tendency to really let his voice go on this CD, letting himself hit these distorted, raspy, sometimes even whiny lines! It's really a shame b/c as we all know he's a tight MC, better than any of us could hack, & I really look forward to another effort from him reclaiming his freestyle glory days. I'm a huge supporter of underground hip-hop so if you're at all into it.. go pick this up, help them feed their habits & their seeds... but this is definitely not the best that C Rayz can do. Sorry C@!

it works like he does on the mic.......2004-09-23

it makes sense to put out another street banger for c- rayz..we all heard him on countless guest appearances from the def-jukies and stronghold mix tapes to the blaze battles. he has all the right elements.this ep is no doubt another hit from c- rayz. rest assured his style has never chaged. he steps it up in the first 6 tracks. i enjoyed listening to this many times. i think if more people listened to the underground hiphop that c-rayz embraces, it could take a turn away from the "rims and timbs" glamour and desentizing rhymes/mainstream madness. i have been highly influenced by defjux and the hiphop they produce.

Soul Music:

Soul Music

soul music

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