Marco Polo + Torae – Double Barrel (6-2-2009)

Posted on Jul 08 in Reviewsby adminPrint

Marco Polo has built up enough steam to be recognized as one of the top unknown producers to ever grace the boards. Now with the help of a reputable lyricist, MP should be able to break down a few more barriers. Torae, an otherwise untested MC from Brooklyn seems to be destined to blow though he has yet to sign a legit deal. The duo’s first collaborative effort, Double Barrel should prove to be a major stepping-stone for the both of them as they each strive for higher glory.

Torae comes out of his corner tearing new assholes on lame rappers in the game on the horn heavy opener “Double Barrel.” On the ensuing “Party Crashers” Torae holds nothing back as he offers his blunt opinion on random industry bullshit. The same can be said for the Lil Fame and Rock assisted “Smoke.” Marco Polo and Torae take things back to the late 80’s on the pro hip-hop banger “Rah Rah Shit.”

On both “Danger” and the Guilty Simpson assisted “Stomp” Marco Polo and Torae step their game in their own respective fashions.  The duo takes time to rep for the home of the Hot Dog Eating Competition on the NY anthem, “Coney Island.” On the closing “Crashing Down” Torae asks a few deep questions as he wonders why crap rap does better on the charts and why he would still spit hot shit even if no one listens.

With a lack of scholarly hip-hop flowing these days Torae and Marco Polo just might prove to be the dynamic duo that the game is in desperate need of. The mixture of Marco Polo’s laid back yet vivid beats with Torae’s intelligent yet aggressive rhyme style makes these two fellows hot free agents in a very crowded market.  To put it plain and simple, after fans, critics, and executives get a taste of Double Barrel, Torae will find that landing a major deal should be somewhat of a breeze!

VERDICT – 15 / 20
LYRICS: 4
PRODUCTION: 4
DELIVERY: 3
CONSISTENCY: 4