CD Review: Black Milk doesn't deserve fake praise

03/27/07 - Detroit has provided the rap scene with Eminem and D-12, and they have made a tremendous impact. Detroit seems to be a place that is filled with such a strong essence of desire. Now another soul from the Motor City has decided to emerge and make or break his career through the art of lyrical rhyming.Black Milk, or Curtis Cross, the former music producer for Slum Village, has released Popular Demand to show the world that if Kanye West can go from architecting songs to rapping, then anyone can.

I'm not personally a huge fan of the name, just because of the literal meaning that pops into mind, but let's see what he has to offer.

Hotter than a glass of Hershey's hot cocoa and smoother than skim milk, Black Milk is armed with a mic at hand and he is ready to excite audiences worldwide.

The cameras flash, the crowd murmurs at Milk's arrival and then there is silence. A harmonic array of chords is now in place of the silence as a woman sings. Overlapping the woman, Black Milk comes in, spitting aggressive rhymes and stating that his eyes are set for the world. He is back by "Popular Demand," the title of the song and the album.

The anticipation of Milk's entrance sets a stage, and it is clear that he believes he's already a star. He thinks the public should bow at his feet as he comes down this carpet of success and stardom. I sense a little bit of arrogance from him and it is very entertaining.

"Action," featuring Slum Village, is sample-woven and a round of raps. The same woman from "Popular Demand" makes an appearance, and she may have brought her little daughter. Throughout parts of the song, her voice elevates to an even higher pitch.

The same goes for "One Song." I don't know why the song is titled this when it clearly sounds like three others on the same album. That same woman sounds likes she has bronchitis, dropping off her daughter at school and picking up the smoke-happy aunt. This "One Song" is a lyrical depiction of Black Milk's struggle of making it in the business.

"I'm Out" is his shout out song, or outro. Milk only uses about 10 seconds of this 1:15 song to say bye, adding at the end, "I really should have rapped on this one." Well buddy, it's a little too late for that now, huh?

Popular Demand is just another album that's probably going to just collect dust after I listen to it for a second time. Nothing about this album gives me the desire to call up my local record store and ask for 10 more copies.

Hey Black Milk, let's try and be a little bit more humble next time you decide to make an album, and try making some of your own beats. Maybe you'll have a real crowd falling for you versus the one you created.