SKAMATICS – HOMAGE [REVIEW]

Coming from the Left Coast, Lancaster, CA to be exact, an up and coming artist by the name of Skamatics drops his debut album titled, “Homage”. Citing such influences as Jay Z, Eminem, and Kurupt, the 24-year-old rapper brings an East Coast feel to his music. On this project Skamatics shows his versatility by rapping and producing on the album. Having been rapping for 5 years and producing for 3 years, he felt the time was right to drop his own project. He currently is president of Fresh Life Fallin Up Records (FLFU) a label he created with his brother O5iru5 who also raps and produces. Enough rambling…let’s get to this music!

1. Campaign
Produced by Osirus
The album starts off with the intro track that doesn’t sell you short on the BASS! Skamatics gives us a sample of what we have in store with this project.

2. 211
Featuring Osirus and Yahk Nolove; Produced by Osirus
The first thing that grabs you on this one is the commanding beat that was attacked aggressively from the start. This song is a perfect song to vibe with the homies.

3. Worth it
Featuring Dozey; Produced by Osirus & Skamatics
I’m not feeling this one at all. The beat and the flow don’t work well together. Must say SKIP this one.

4. Blaze
Produced by Musikal
Skamatics sped the flow up on this one showing his versatility as an artist. I can’t be mad at him either…he BODIED this beat.

5. Thug Life
Produced by Osirus & Skamatics
Again, I have to applaud the production on the track. When the production is on point, it makes it so much easier to rip the track. That is exactly what they did on this one. I could hear Pac doing the hook on this one, “Nigga this that thug life being broke saying FUCK LIFE!” Osirus was coming with some bars on this one that was matched by Skamatics.

6. Dead Wrong
Produced by Urban Nerd
This song gives you that Kendrick Lamar feel to it. Not saying that he sounds like Dot, but you get that feel. This is definitely one that you can blaze to and zone out over the hazy production.

7. Politician
Produced by Cxdy
I’m noticing a trend on this album. All the beats were made to be BUMPED at ignorant levels. I can imagine how these sound in some studio speakers. You can’t go wrong with good production.

8. Church
Produced by Skamatics
I can’t cosign this one. I wasn’t really feeling this one at all. Might have to break out the SKIP on this one.

9. Interlude
Produced by Skamatics
Just an interlude setting up the next song. Nothing to report here.

10. The Democrats
Produced by Skamatics
THIS IS MY FAVORITE JOINT OFF THIS PROJECT! I’m a sucker for beats, and Skamatics did his thing with this beat. The laid back flow fit well with the beat.

11. The Town
Produced by Skamatics
The production on this one doesn’t keep your attention throughout, and the message is lost. I get it, your name rings bells around the town, but I didn’t feel it after listening to the song.

12. Pimp C
Produced by Osirus
You name a song “Pimp C”, so that beat has to knock on this one. It does too. I was expecting some rehash of some old school music to pay homage to Pimp. We didn’t get that, but the track is still riding.

13. Armani
Produced by Osirus & Skamatics
Skamatics has a laid back flow on this one and I guess he’s letting cats know if you cross him, it won’t end up well for you. He put that on his kid, so you have to believe that man.

14. Outro
Produced by Skamatics
This is the outro for the album; it has that feel that the ride is over too. I wish he had closed on a stronger note.

Bottom Line:
Not a bad debut for Skamatics and the crew. Things that need to be worked on can be fixed. Making sure the beats and rhymes flow better is one of these things that can be fixed over time. His lyrics aren’t the problem, he can spit, not too “rappity rap” and not too elementary either. Once he gets that confidence in his beat selection I can see bigger things on the horizon for Skamatics. Hopefully, he will continue to work on his craft and show the game that all young cats aren’t about the mumble rap music and some still respect the history of the Hip-Hop. A guy that makes his own beats and rap isn’t an easy task, you just have to make sure that you do both equally and I’m sure the next offering will be even better.