Maxo Kream – Punken Album Review

Story posted January 20, 2018 in CommRadio, Arts & Entertainment by Jerome Taylor

Punken is the debut album from Houston rapper Maxo Kream. On Punken, Maxo invites us into his world; a world filled with violence, drugs and poverty. Maxo creates vivid settings and tells an authentic story about a street rapper who has found himself in poor predicaments because of his involvement in the street.

Maxo Kream has had a large amount of buzz surrounding him in the hip-hop community for some time. Punken, however, will be his first project released since 2016’s Persona Tape. Since that project was released, Maxo Kream has found himself in a legal battle stemming from a drug raid in which a narcotics unit found drugs and other contraband. Maxo currently has two felony charges for his role in organized criminal acts. Crime is not a new topic for Maxo to talk about, but on this album, Maxo seems more focused on telling his story before anyone else can.

Maxo’s ability to effortlessly create a setting and tell a story is what makes Punken so impressive. Songs like “Work,” “Grannies” and “Roaches” are just some of the many examples of Maxo’s ability as a storyteller.  On “Work,” the first song off Punken, we are introduced to Maxo Kream by his real name, Emekwanem Ibemakanam Ogugua Biosah. Maxo’s dad tells us the meaning of his name and then the story of Maxo begins. Maxo’s ability to illustrate a scene is evident in this song as he provides background on he who is and the life he lived to that point. The track “Grannies” provides insight into Maxo’s upbringing and the loyalty his family has.  Maxo tells the story of all the people that lived in the apartment with him and his grandmother. On “Grannies,” Maxo speaks about his troubled uncles, cousin, brother and conflicted relationship with his aunt. Maxo knows she stole from him, but also remembers when she didn’t tell the police about him, even when they threatened to charge her with a crime. Later in the album, we find out how important this type of loyalty is to Maxo.

Maxo Kream showcases just how talented he is on “Roaches,” a song that follows Maxo from an adolescent to present day. Maxo is particularly impressive in how he creates a time frame for when events occur. When remembering the first time he shot a gun he raps, “’Round the same time AI lost to Kobe.” Throughout this verse, he uses other references to take us back in time. Later in the track, he raps about the frustration he felt when he couldn’t get to his family when they were stuck and Hurricane Harvey. The track concludes with him giving his status on the criminal case that he is fighting.

Throughout Punken, we see Maxo’s role in crime change. Maxo starts out as a “crash dummy” or a person who does the dirty work for someone higher in the organization. On the song “Go,” Maxo and D Flowers provide insight on what a person in this role is thinking. On “Beyonce (Interlude),” he continues the upbeat tempo that was established on “Go.” The difference between the two songs is that on “Go” he is characterizing the “crash dummy” and on “Beyonce (interlude),” Maxo puts the spotlight on the gun a “crash dummy” would use.  On the track “ATW,” Maxo tells the story of betrayal from one of his friends. On “ATW,” Maxo is telling the story of someone who snitched on him to the police. Maxo raps, “Law threw some time at him, started singin', Taylor Swift/ Told you for a Coca-Cola and some cigarettes.” This story contrasts with the one Maxo tells about his aunt on “Grannies,” as she wouldn’t talk to the cops even when they threatened to charge her.

Maxo Kream continues to impress in the hip-hop community and on this album as he showcased his ability to paint vivid pictures with his words. Moving forward, Maxo will have to deliver better choruses to fully reach his potential as a hip-hop artist. Maxo Kream brings storytelling to new age trap music and that is what makes Punken such an enjoyable listen from start to finish.

Rating: 7/10

 

Jerome Taylor is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, jerometaylor91697@gmail.com.

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