Hold This Down

by Brad MillsTo too many people this might as well be Mr. Complex's first LP, as the first was rather slept on and uncirculated. His connection with 7 Heads Records has definitely boosted his street credibility, with people like El Da Sensei of the Artifacts on their management team and up-and-coming artists such as J-Live and the Unspoken Heard in their lineup. The album is tight from the opening track to the inspired live performance in Belgium, Germany at the end. Complex is just that -- a complex metaphorical rapper, intelligent enough to know there's more to rap about than guns, girls, and drugs. Admittedly, he's a lot easier to follow and understand that other metaphorical rhymers such as Aesop Rock or Chino XL, but still brings a fresh flow that sounds very loosely like Pharoahe Monch. A good album throughout, and surely worth its purchase price.