Review of Paypa Boy's New Hip Hop EP 'Paypa Workz'

[MusicDish]

"Cop it in Cali,
We get it off in PG,
Got work in the Denali; we in DC,
We got choppers in the city like BG"...

With these lyrics, we are introduced to the artist known as a Paypa Boy. The 5 song EP 'Paypa Workz' consists of five tracks, two of which have radio edits and instrumental versions for a total of nine different ways to listen to this young brother. 'Paypa Workz' includes the singles "Got Work," "Best of Da Best," "Paypa Boy," "Cold Out Here," and "Stay Working."

The anthemic "Got Work" provides the perfect backdrop for Paypa Boy's salvo of punch lines, boasting a knocking baseline and banging hook. The head bobbing beat grabs you immediately and doesn't let go. This is definitely hard core gangster rap. His background ‘dogs' sound like very serious talking Rottweiler's and are in the background barking loud, giving Paypa Boy plenty of flavor.

"They said I'm ignorant
Never going to get a deal
Independent, dropped without a record deal"

"Best of Da Best" is a blend of East Coast rap combined with a dirty South beat. It comes together to form something I really like - a nice groove that will have everybody in the club on their feet. I love the way he uses the big band sound in the middle of the jam. Paypa Boy definitely has a story to tell and he's telling it on this track. Then he adds a little reggae stylie to the beat; part of his very own roots since he was born in Jamaica and moved to Brooklyn at the age of 4. This is my favorite cut from the CD.

"Best of the Best
Greatest of the Great
Jealousy, they hate to see the look upon your face"

"Cold Out Here" finds Paypa Boy and a partner in crime exercising their second amendment rights over a haunting track. It's a very nice infusion of music and vocals that are mixed to provide the background. This is a very cool, mellow jam. Sounds like the national anthem of every homeboy's crew. Paypa Boy complements it with his rap, and his ‘dogs' complement it with their own flavor. Paypa Boy is a solid rapper with a nice voice and a unique style, which is refreshing these days. If New York needed a new rapper to represent, here he is.

"Stay Working" is another winner, with its creative hook:

"I stay working even on my days off
All through the seasons
Even through the playoffs…"

Paypa Boy continues to attest to his hustling abilities:

"Celly never stops ringing
Never have an open line"

Paypa Boy is definitely about the paper in "Stay Working." This is a good riding jam, and you will definitely find yourself getting into the rhythm of it.

The self titled "Paypa Boy" is the EP's only hiccup, with Paypa Boy channeling his inner pimp over a generic sounding beat. All in all, 'Paypa Workz' is solid, and should fuel excitement for a full length album from the promising newcomer.

http://www.myspace.com/paypabmusic
http://www.itunes.com/paypaboy
http://centronsoundrecords.com/paypaboy.aspx

Review by Michele Wilson-Morris, MusicDish e-Journal