Hip Hop: Brandon Allen - Immaculate (Mixtape) [@BA_of_MANZ]

"After 3 years of planning, production, and patience, Immaculate is more of a debut album than a mixtape. Originally named "Boy Meets World" the project changed its course when Brandon failed to put out the tape before he graduated from high school like originally intended. So instead of it being just a freshman project showcasing his skill he wanted to make it about his trials, tribulations, and triumphs throughout his high school career. In the intro track he has a verse where he says "coming from the gutters but I'm still Immaculate" saying that whatever the disposition, whatever the environment, you could still remain "clean". A philosophy he went by his whole high school environment. Enjoy an interesting story from top to bottom"

Brandon Allen drops his debut project "Immaculate" and sends it over to us for a generation listen. Allen is on the younger spectrum as an emcee and he just stepped into his career professionally. The arrangement of the album is pretty good and the production is decent throughout. Wielding beats from DJ Datsikk, members of MANZ, and many others (including himself), Allen shows his diversity and sportsmanship as an emcee in the new age of the music industry.

Some minor criticism though, the mixing and mastering could of been better and maybe the mic positioning for Brandon could have been done better too. At times some songs seem louder than others when you play them back and Brandon's voice can be heard just sitting on top of the vocals instead of blended in. Some hardships as an emcee can be heard in Brandon's voice too. Because Brandon is a brand new emcee, some of his cadences can be tighten up in his flows. Some parts it sounds like he rushes his words, maybe because he chose to rap bigger words with smaller words. We just ask him to keep on practicing his flow on that part...you can't bite off more than you can chew.

Other than that, we are proud to hear new talent from the DMV. Nice to hear the young guys putting the district on in a good and positive manner. There really is more to the DMV than Uncle Ben's, Obama and Wale.

- CSum