After the mostly negative feedback from my
declaration that Nick Cannon's self-titled album should be given another chance, I did some serious thinking. If I continued to focus on the albums the community saw as wack, before too long I'd be making a case for K-Fed's album, which would instantly destroy any credibility RefinedHype had. Therefore, I decided to tweak the focus of this column to demonstrate major-label albums that, despite positive critical reviews and feedback, were mainly slept-on by the hip-hop community and thus resulted in low sales. And which album could sum that up better than Ray Cash's debut album, "Cash On Delivery."
Born Wardell Raymond Cheeks, this East Cleveland native has demonstrated a true love for hip-hop throughout his life, from his days of freestyling at his school's lunch table. However, it wasn't until he saw Jay-Z on his Hard Knock Life tour that he decided to take it professionally. Eventually all this paid off when he got signed to Ghet-O-Vision/Columbia, promising to take inspiration from LeBron James' young leadership of the Cavaliers to do the same for his hometown's hip-hop scene, even issuing a rally cry in the liner notes to fellow Clevelanders Bone Thugs, Chip Tha Ripper, 216, Avant, Fat Al, Cheri Dennis, 71 North and everyone involved in the city's culture to "let's get it and show these fuckas what we about."
Of course, this didn't get the mainstream attention it should have, explaining the low sales. However, at the Hype, we strive to be as neutral as possible, leading us to ask the question: Did it really deserve to be slept-on this much? Let's give it another chance!
#1 "Wake Up Cleveland"
This intro details a typical day in the life of the Cleveland suburbs, with a Mr. Rogers-like figure waking up, thinking it's going to be a beautiful day, when all of a sudden he runs into an instant riot, at first begging that they not take his radio, but then conceding and allowing it, because "you probably need it more than I do." Basically a typical intro skit, and your opinion will depend on what you think of these skits.
#2 "The Payback"
The first full track, Cash decides to give the 'payback' to all who would dare sleep on his hometown. Over Pop Trax' sample of Joe Zawinul's instrumental classic "Cannonball," Cash explains how not just anyone can even survive a day in his life, while at the same time giving his own special shoutout to those currently locked up:
"But hit the blunt for those in isolation, got hot knocked
Inside of a box pacing, waiting, patient for they day of arraignment
Worried about they family and time they facing
Look don't worry about the streets, the streets ain't changing
Me I'm doing good dog, hope yall maintaining
These hos ain't changed man, we still bang em
When theirs beef off in the street we still flaming
But dont worry about the drama, nigga worry about your mama
Write her letters, I'll fly you this kite, know your nights is hard
Know you hate it in the yard, rather be out here pushing raw
But when you get released, come holla at your dog
And we can give these fuckas (payback)...huh"
From the way this album's starting out, it looks like the city's going to get its due payback! Certainly a "chill" track to set the mood.
#3 "Bumpin' My Music (ft. Scarface)"
OK now, this is the track most of us remember Ray Cash by...being the single-right-before-the-album, it's also one of the classics of my early adulthood (soon after I moved into my apartment, I had this playing on the regular!) Basically, it's something any hip-hop fan can relate to, setting their lives to the surrounding music. In addition to his who's-who playlist (Bone Thugs, Biggie, Jay-Z, Juvenile, Ice Cube, Master P, 2Pac, Too Short, Big Tymers, Devin the Dude, R, Kelly, Usher, Mary J. Blige, and Rick James), he backs up his talk with the backing of two legends-as Scarface describes his own influences (NWA, Public Enemy, Ice-T, Kool G Rap, and Boogie Down Productions), and Bay Area pioneer Rick Rock backs it up with the attention-grabbing beat. Certainly one of the best tracks of its year, and I'm leaving you my favorite line to remember:
"She ain't used to a thug, she love the way I ride
While I'm bumpin' 'My Life' by Mary J. Blige,
See I damn near cried the day Rick James died,
See that shit was 'Cold Blooded' but the music keep bumpin'"
#4 "Smokin' & Leanin'"
Basically a laid-back Southern-style track, with Ray smoothly showin' off his slow-rollin' swag. This trap-music song, complete with a beat from the Kickdrums, worked out well as the initial buzz single. In a nutshell, this is what Ray Cash would sound like if he was signed to Rap-a-Lot, CTE, or Grand Hustle.
#5 "Fiends, Fiends, Fiends"
Dart Parker brings the Just Blaze-style beat as Ray tells the story of his past in the drug game, describing how he was the fiends' favorite dealer and the resulting profit (though the fiends got annoying, the cash drowned out all their noise!) Continuing the "patchwork quilt" theme, this here's what Ray Cash would sound like if he was signed to Roc-a-Fella, Dipset, or State Property...check one for you Northeast heads!
#6 "Sex Appeal (Pimp In My Own Mind)"
One of the more infectious hooks of the mid-2000s came from this track (chant along: "I'm a pimp...in my own...fuckin' mind...a pimp in my own fuckin' mind!"). The lyrics are almost as addicting, but Ray shows a bit of lyrical prowess as well: ("My pimpin' from paper powerful, I can never fail/It's product in private over pussy, I shall prevail."). Capped off by Knoxxxx's percussion-heavy beat, give this track a listen and you'll be addicted as well (again, chant the hook along)
#7 "She A G"
Picking up on one of the most underrated aspects of hip-hop, Ray tells the story of an encounter with a female gangsta (complete with her sold dope in her early days and also packs heavy ammo) and sees him as the perfect match for her. However, just when he's starting to fall in love, that's when he remembers that it would be completely against the "G-code" so he regretfully has to leave, with the duo's matching pistols providing the "deuces" sound. The Kickdrums sample The Persuaders' "Thin Line Between Love And Hate" over their instrumental, adding fuel to his most successful track which was not a single. Overall a must-listen for anyone into the streets, rap ballads, or just story raps in general.
#8 "Dope Game"
Once again, the Kickdrums bring their synth-heavy beat as Ray talks about his struggles in the dope game. Blast this in your trunk and enjoy the full effect provided. (especially the point where Ray questions why he's selling weed when he smokes it to relieve his stress).
#9 "Better Way (ft. Beanie Sigel & Megan Rochell)"
Arguably the best critically-reviewed track from the album, Ray reflects on the day-to-day lives in the hood, full of teenage mothers, grown mothers whose sons got killed in the streets, and drug addiction in families, all the while hoping better days are ahead. State Property general Beanie Sigel brings the middle verse, feeling the pain of fathers in prison for selling drugs to support their starving families. Megan Rochell brings the melancholy yet hopeful hook, as frequent State Property producer Chad "Wes" Hamilton samples Fredi Grace and Rhinestone's "Tell Me What's On Your Mind." Certainly one of the realer songs on this album, one that even its harshest critics point out as its strongest point.
#10 "Fuck Amerikkka"
Taking place after Ray's hypothetical conviction for dope-selling, Ray gives the judge an earful right before his sentence is handed down. In addition to the War on Drugs and the government's supposed supply of crack in the '80s, Ray blasts NASA and the Peace Corps for obviously forgetting "charity begins at home." Overall, one of the stronger modern-day political raps I've heard (ranks right along with Juvenile's "Get Ya Hustle On"), as D.O.N. W.I.L. (not to be confused with Donwill of Tanya Morgan) provides the haunting piano-loop. I wonder if he (or anyone) would make this sort of track today now that Obama's in office?
#11 "Livin My Life"
Really, this track should have gotten more rotation than it did! Ray gives flashes of some early-day Nas, providing the perfect mix of gangsta talk and pure lyricism. The obvious highlight is Rockwilder and JAKPOT's instrumental sampling B.B. King's classic "I Like To Live The Love," giving Ray obvious inspiration to just settle back and be himself. If only more swag-centered tracks had a full jazz orchestra's backing...
#12 "I'm Gettin'"
The typical modern-day stereotypical rap jam, complete with money, jewels, swag...and haters. However, Ray adds some refreshment by backing up his talk, mentioning how Track #6 went "silver" (250,000 downloads). Young Yonny brings the bling-and-banjo sound, adding some uniqeness. Basically album filler, but then again, Ray's album filler is better than 2/3 of most rappers lead singles.
#13 "The Bomb (ft. Yummy Bingham)"
G-funk abounds here, as Ray & Yummy both bounce to the beat while dropping "The Bomb" on the club's music. Once again, Rockwilder's the highlight, sampling two George Clinton classics ("P Funk (Wants To Get Funked Up)" and "Atomic Dog") in the album's only club-oriented track. If this had been a single, it would have skyrocketed the charts...but yet I respect Ray for reserving that honor to other tracks.
#14 "P.A.N. (ft. Bun B & Pastor Troy)"
The album's "crunk" track shows Ray taking some flow from T.I.'s book (since Ghet-o-Vision was Tip's first label, you can't fault Ray too much for that). Bun B holds it down for the trill against all the fakes, while Pastor Troy just says the three-word hook (which would be just plain undecipherable if played on radio). Cooly C provides the crunk-heavy beat set to instigate a fight in the clubs...yet my favorite part is Ray's opening of the third verse:
"I dont know why these niggaz went and done that
Fuck the rap game up with that bubble gum rap
See the game bubble gum, I got the game wrapped
Like its bubblicious or something, my hustle vicious no frontin'"
(Note: A remix exists featuring T.I. on the bottom end. That is believed to be the verse that single-handedly ended Mr. Wesley Weston from Cloverland, North Houston's career.)
#15 "Take It How You Want It"
The most gangsta-oriented track on the album, Ray coldly warns anyone who would dare cross him to hold off unless they want their bodies dumped in Lake Erie. Over Chad "Wes" Hamilton's simplistic beat, this would fall under the "Mixtape Ready" category had "Cash On Delivery" been reviewed back in '06.
#16 "Here I Stand"
The finale, Ray decides to let everything off his chest, declaring his love for the rap game but also his intentions to stay a man and never sell out for success. Once again, the Kickdrums close it all out, capping off a truly great and underrated album.
FINAL SCORE: Though it does have its flaws, you can't deny Ray's true motivation and love for hip-hop in all its form's displayed here. Great club tracks, great radio tracks, great street tracks, great tracks for the ladies, and great tracks that make you think. All together, I am giving this a 4.5 out of 5 - Should be a Near-Classic.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: He's decided to take his talents to South Beach and join Slip-N-Slide Records. (January Fools!) After a few years off, Ray re-emerged as an independent artist, releasing sophomore set "Rose Ray" in 2009. Unfortunately, it appears as if his goals of re-energizing Cleveland on the major scene will never happen (Kid Cudi's handling that job). Still, the underground has one more artist who truly loves hip-hop, and the mainstream store shelves a reminder of what could have been if only they had been more supportive.
