DraMatiQue’s “Kill The Game” kicks off with a DJ Omega Red introduction over Dr. Dre‘s “Kush” followed up by the mixtape‘s first song “A Star Is Born“. This track sets the tone for the album with braggadocios lyrics about DraMatiQue’s mic skills, letting the world know he is here for his spot. “Life Is Like A Dream” rolls in with mellow production and a smooth chorus. It’s almost a totally different vibe from the preceding track until the lyrics kick in and DraMatiQue picks up where he left off on his road to success. “Dime A Dozen” stands out as soon as it drops. This radio ready track lets it be known that DraMatique and his guest features, A$e Card & Lucrative won’t settle for less when it comes to women. On “Kill The Game” the title track of the mixtape, he returns to state his intended dominance of the game over an dreamy, unorthodox instrumental by DreamScheme Productions. “I’m That Guy” is a club ready knocker produced by Kajmir Royale. The feel of the track is very current and would fit in easily with today’s brand of hip-hop.
Jumping from the club to introspective is “Neva Let Go” featuring a sample of The Fray’s “Never Say Never”. This track, which was also produced by Kajmir Royale, reflects on people DraMatiQue has lost in his personal life, including his mother to cancer, his older brother and his father. The song is a very genuine expression of his emotions and is a stand out track. “Knock Knock” takes the mood back to the streets over heavy drums by Stompboxx Music. This track is one of the more aggressive cuts on the mixtape giving something back to the streets with hard hitting features from Young Jess & Official. On “AfterLife” DraMatiQue delivers a bouncy flow over another Kajmir instrumental with features from Ghost Clique & Haze. “AfterLife” is a good concept track flipping a lot of lyrics based off horror film characters and death.
“PaperChasin” featuring Young CEOz rides in with a pimped out beat by Stompboxx Music, reminiscent of a UGK style track. This song gets you moving instantly. Definitely something to bump while cruising down a long road. “When I Move” is hot. Plain and simple. The beat features an ethnic voice sample and instruments and has DraMatiQue spitting hard, laying down bars to show he is lyrically capable of holding his own against other emcees. “I Need Luv” produced by U-Neek Beats remakes LL Cool J’s track of the same name. Over 808’s, shakers and snaps, it doesn’t sound like your typical love song but lyrically he expresses his need for love for a mystery woman, who by the sound of the beat, might be waiting for him at the club.
“LemonFace” is tough and kicks in the door with hard drums provided by Stompboxx Music asking mean muggers “what they looking at”. The chorus features a vocal sample, rolling bass and strings that make this song really stand out. “Swaggeriffic” brings back the radio friendly sound DraMatiQue has done a good job of blending in among the more aggressive and introspective cuts. Its a smooth but braggadocios track about his lyrical skills and material gains. “Insanity” features a sample of Dido on the chorus and is a reflective track about the life he has lived and how some of his experiences have brought him to the edge of sanity itself, a stand out track. “Say Sumethin’ Dirty” is a well done commercial cut for the ladies. Produced by Beats Planet featuring Hersh on the chorus, this track is ready for play in the clubs. “Murdergram (I Be Killin Em), the last song of the mixtape, has DraMatiQue ending off strong with a lyrical bombardment over Fabolous‘ “I Be Killin Em” letting listeners know whether he is in his home of the west coast, the east, down south or midwest, he is here to Kill The Game.
Overall, the album features some great production by Kajmir Royale, Stompboxx Music, Soul Theory, Black Light Music, ID Labs, U-Neek Beats, DreamScheme and Beats Planet. DraMatiQue and his featured artists lyrically deliver with Kill The Game. A bit of a roller coaster at times with the transitions between the emotion of the tracks and a scratch happy DJ, the mixtape still delivers with quality production and lyrics. You can tell DraMatiQue is true to his desire to make good hip-hop music through his efforts and this mixtape is a clear example of hard work paying off.
7.5/10
By A. Ladson
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