Review: CNN - Channel 10

It's been 12 years since CNN made their last appearence on the air, and it shows. The duo are having troubles finding their own sound. Every track of the album is different from the other. The sound differs according to the producers behind the beat, while Capone and NORE puts their rhymes on it, almost like three seas and two continents have separated them for the last couple of years rather than a prison wall.

NORE instantly takes charge of the album, while Capone just tries to keep up. But the distance is too far between them for him to catch up. We get predictable tracks and impersonal beats. Although there are a few exeptions.

The DJ Premier produced 'Grand Royal' is pure, classic New York hip hop, that will take anyone back to the 90's. Other tracks that stands out has got a clever hook, different chorus or personal lyrics. But to be fair, the album is not packed with them. With the material used we are allowed to expect straight up quality from each and every song, and espeacially 'My Hood' with Clipse, Maino, Uncle Murda and Tha Dogg Pound should be able to knock you of your seat, but I sit quite comfortably at the moment.

Best track: Channel 10

Grade: 3/5

Brief Update!

Slow weekend, that's pretty much all I have got to say. I'm waiting for some new music to be released, and when waiting for it I, in a way, feel like a tortoise who really, really need to use the toilet. Desperate to get there but it takes forever.

So what do we have to work with? Well, rumours say that Barack Obama bans Hiphop music from his daughters' iPods. I'm not surprised, some music is better of kept away from the ears of young children, especially ears that are in the same family as the president's ears. A lot of rap artists have backed Obama in his campaign, but there should be no hard feelings despite that.

Other than that we have a few new tunes on the streets but nothing even worth mentioning. By the way, Busta Rhymes album in apparenty postponed until May now, so we're going to have to wait some more for that. One good thing though, CNN's album 'Channel 10' will very soon be in my possesion.

CNN!

We are not going to talk about the TV channel here. CNN is short for the rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga. Their name is not well known to every man out there, but in the Hiphop world they're often seen at as classic.

The duo, from New York, met in jail in 1992. And crime would be something they were going to have to live with through their careers, as Capone was sent back to jail more than once during their years as a group.

In an argument with a record company they had to change their name from Capone-N-Noreaga since Tommy Boy Records own the rights to it. Hence the name CNN. This is also the reason why Noreaga is also known as NORE.

The duo split up in 2005, but now they're back together for a comeback! Is has taken a while, but their upcoming album 'Channel 10' is due to hit the shops later this year. While waiting we can listen to the first single 'Rotate'.

Capone-N-Noreaga - Rotate (feat. Ron Browz and Busta Rhymes)



I am definitely looking forward to this. They have got a sound significant for a bit more old school rappers. Especially Noreaga (NORE) brings a raw, east coast style. He represents New York and it shows.