I enjoy finding out about new music and new artists, especially when they are good. In today’s time where current trend of “doing music” is running rampant, finding new music and artists is not very hard. However, finding GOOD new music and new artists may be a tad bit more difficult. So when the homie Lisa introduced me to Queens-native Gist The Essence’s music, initially, I was little skeptical prior to even hearing his music.
However, as I mentioned before, I do enjoy finding out about new music and new artists, and his was a new artist to me, and with Lisa’s co-sign, I was a little more motivated to take a listen. The project I would be listening to was entitled Summer Madness Pt. 2, which is the sequel to Gist The Essence’s Summer Madness Pt. 1 (Download HERE).
1. “Hot Summer Intro Pt. 2″ featuring DJ Envy & DJ Whutevva
Summertime Madness Pt. 2 begins with DJ Envy & DJ Whutevva speaking and bringing in the project. The use of Will Smith’s & DJ Jazzy Jeff’s “Summertime”, which derives from Kool & The Gang’s “Summer Madness”, of course, is a smart song selection to prep listeners for a project aptly entitled Summertime Madness Pt. 2.
2. “Diamonds & Pearls” feauring Corte Ellis (Produced by L&X Music)
“Diamonds & Pearls” is one of the singles from #SM2. On this record, Gist speaks upon perservering in spite of love lost with a female given the world on Gist’s behalf when they were an item. The combination of nice production (courtesy of L&X Music), a great hook (courtesy of Corte Ellis) and commercial appeal makes “Diamonds & Pearls” an excellent choice for a single. Very good record.
3. “Right Now” featuring K-Men (Produced by J. Ethe)
“Right Now” is the platform for Gist to discuss the streets and the usual politics involved with them. K-Men effectively laces “Right Now” with a reggae hook to top off a solid track.
4. “Xxplosive”
On this one, Gist spits over Dr. Dre’s “Xxplosive”. He rides the beat adequately with a nice flow and slick talk.
5. “Back To The Basics” featuring Young Rook
“Back To The Basics” borrows Kendrick Lamar’s “Hiii Power”, which was produced by J. Cole. This is definitely a track that you’ve gotta come correct on. Gist was pretty decent on here, but the bright spot of this record is LA-native Young Rook, who provides for a solid feature.
6. “Tell Me What You Want” (Produced by Rick Hertz)
“Tell Me What You Want” is a song of confidence encouraging females to confide in him. This record sort of has a feel of a Fabolous record. Rick Hertz provides Gist with a dope boom-bap beat to do his thing. Definitely a headnodder.
7. “Scottie Pippens (Remix)”
Gist provides listeners with a brief freestyle over Curren$y’s “Scottie Pippens”, which was produced by the almighty Alchemist. “No Scottie Pippens, n—a I’m Miked (MIC-ed) up, and got ‘em lookin like a bunch of Harold Minors”.
8. “In The Morning (Remix)” featuring Cocoa Sarai (Remixed by L&X Music)
Gist utilizes J. Cole’s “In The Morning” to discuss the extracurricular activites of the bedroom. The track was subtly, yet solidly remixed by L&X Music. Also, the addition of Cocoa Sarai on the hook, as well as her verse, was a very, very nice touch. They really did the record justice and gave the original a run for its money.
9. “The Good Life” featuring Shalone (Produced by J. Ethe)
Gist The Essence – The Good Life feat. Shalone (Produced By J. Ethe) by So Left Field
This may possibly be Summer Madness Pt. 2′s best track. “The Good Life” describes the fact that Gist and his team are living the good life as a result of grinding and grinding hard. Add Shalone on the hook and J. Ethe on the prodcution, and this equates to a great uplifting and victorious record.
10. “I’m On One (Remix)” featuring Cocoa Sarai
Gist uses DJ Khaled’s smash-record “I’m On One” to showcase his skills as an MC. I ain’t een gon lie, Gist is definitely spitting on this one. Although Cocoa Sarai is a hell of a singer, I thought the hook on this one was ehhh. Good track overall though.
11. “Fly With Me” (Produced by Rick Hertz)
“Fly With Me” entices listeners to come along with him as he lives his dream while on cloud 9. Dope beat, dope hook, dope verses, dope song…I like this record.
12. “Motivations” (Produced by D-Major)
Gist The Essence – Motivations (Produced by D-Major) by So Left Field
If not “The Good Life” (see track 9), then perhaps “Motivations” just might be #SM2′s best track. Gist uses this platform to give his history and expound on the reasoning behind him & his people’s actions. What is that reason? Simply to be successful. In life, whether college or the streets, “graduation is the key right”? Gist also pleads and expresses to listeners ”don’t be me, be better”. Great record.
13. “Liquor Talkin’ featuring Corte Ellis (Produced by L&X Music)
“Liquor Talkin” is a nice club joint; definitely something to get your 2-step on with. This is a single-worthy record. L&X Music blesses Gist with another banger and Corte Ellis blesses him with another solid feature on the hook. I can hear this in the clubs/on the radio.
14. “Before You Say I Do” featuring Diz & Brix
On this track, Gist uses Kanye West’s “Devil In A Blue Dress” to deliver a comical, yet real record. He enlists Diz & Brix to assist that message’s delivery. On one of #SM2′s more light-hearted records, they advise the fellas to be sure of the type of female she is BEFORE wifing her. “Don’t confuse lust for loving”.
15. “Here We Go Again”
“Here We Go Again” uplifts listeners to spread their wings (figurately speaking) and fly with no wings on. Add some solid production and “Here We Go Again” provides for a decent record.
16. “7/18″ (Produced by J. Ethe)
“7/18″ is not only the title of final track of Summer Madness Pt.2, but also doubles as Gist The Essence’s bornday. Gist encourages as well as warns listeners to “learn the name before the fame”.
CONCLUSION
After to listening to Gist The Essense without having any knowledge beforehand, I must say that I was very satisfied with the use of my time. Gist is a refreshing artist with refreshing hip-hop music. Summer Madness Pt. 2 was a pretty solid project. It wasn’t too long in duration, it contained nice production, and was consistently enjoyable. Also, after listening I was able to “get the gist” of Gist and am motivated to hear Summer Madness Pt. 1, as well as his other music. Overall, I give Gist The Essence’s Summer Madness 2 a score of 7.93 out ouf 10. He is definitely an MC worth checking out.
Standout Tracks: “Diamonds & Pearls”, “In The Morning (Remix)”, “The Good Life”, “Motivations”
Visit Gist The Essence’s Website HERE
Follow Gist The Essence on Twitter HERE
Download Gist The Essence’s Summer Madness Pt. 2 HERE
Follow Me (So Left Field) on Twitter HERE
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