Review by Loose Cannonz

Clinton Sparks - Maybe You Been Brainwashed

Here's something you may not know. Many so-called deejays in the hip-hop industry-the mixtape game to be specific-have no skills. Many of these cats can't mix, can't blend. Shit, they can't even scratch. But few, two quicker to mind than others, do that all and produce. They are mixtape DJ's who lay out bangers. Clinton Sparks is one, coming along way since 1998: from writing skits and sketches for commercial radio; creating and mixing his own internet mix show; to finally gaining that attention he deserves, becoming the first DJ to ever have live radio at 3 different stations in 3 different states. Clinton's far from the current download DJ. Last year, dude was named 2004 Radio DJ of the Year, and who can forget the mixtapes Kill Yourself with Kay Slay or Coast Control with Warrior? Did I forget to mention Smashtime on Sirius radio? Aight, aight. All the credentials are there-great. So, how's this fuckin' tape? Clinton Sparks produces the disc and does all the scratches for the heaviest hitters in the game. Actually, Sparks' best is yet to come, as Maybe You Been Brainwashed is a teaser, per se, more like a compilation of better material from 2005 'til his official debut is releases later. Tracks like "Run This City," the epic P. Diddy scorcher, which pack a mean loop and tension-building violin act from Miri Ben-Ari, have been bled to death and no one's to complain. Hell, if Puffy's latest signings can't get the job done why not pop off ya self! Don't stop. "Underground Legend" is another favorite of mine, showcasing the freestyle talents of Houston's Lil' Flip over scorching cuts, a stomping drum line, and them "Flip" chants that have become a normality in his outings. Much like this joint, Clinton's production bends the line between old school and the current commercial state. No finer example than the very Neptunes-like (but not so much a cheap rip-off) "Where You Been" for Clipse, bouncing clubby grooves to sparse handclaps, piping synths, and rattling effects.

Clinton's also been labeled a commercial DJ for blending popular Rap and R&B on his discs in addition to playing these acts on his Smashtime programs. To answer those cynics, Maybe You Been Brainwashed (well, there you go) spotlights rappers who only speak the streets; artists Mobb Deep, Freeway, and CNN even appear twice. "Okay Dun" and "Bidadidat" capture a hungry Havoc and Prodigy over Scarface (the flick)-influenced sounds not heard since Murda Muzik. Hell on earth again when the M-O-B-B keep with the hunger. "State Prop Boyz" is another banger, spotlighting Free and Young Chris over hesitant loops, handclaps and chipmunked-out samples that should have no problem hitting hoods. Again, Clinton's production is nothing new, or really all that inventive; it's more a blend of tradition and mass appeal. The use of Latin trumpet samples and cartoon take-offs behind the "ROC Café" allow Bleek, Beans and Buddens to represent the new state of the Roc, with an amusing Jay-Z vocal to boot. Not all goes well, as tracks like "Pop Shots" from the late ODB (sorry, Premo's version makes this one seem so…silly); Black Rob's "Knock Em Out" takes generic to the next level in both beat and rhyme; and Kardinal Offishal's "Hater Bug" is buggin me to hate. Handsnaps and gunshots become redundant; beats sometimes too bare. It couldn't get any more different on "Whatever It Takes," however, taking Joe Budden to a newly high lyrical and introspective level for 7-minutes over an enjoyable soulful backdrop. Flipmode's return over raw breaks and ruthless scratching is a good showing of Clinton's roots. But even as the times change, this DJ certainly remembered to *kiddie voice* get familiar, suckas.

- In The Deck

RATING SYSTEM
	Trash
	Step Ya Game Up
	Diehards only
	In the Deck
	Straight Crack
	Among Year's Best
	Mixtape Classic