Intrinzik

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Reviews > Album Reviews > Intrinzik – ‘Real Time’ Review

Real Time

Thursday 16th January, 2014 by Polmar | 1 Comment

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(5 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

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I recently recieved the pleasure and the honor of hearing an early release of the new come-back album by Intrinzik, ‘Real Time.’ Now as a personal fan, I had been waiting a long time for a new release by him, so when he hit me up to review it, I was more than happy to oblige.

Before we begin, for those who may be unfamiliar, Intrinzik is the Arizona-based founder and president of Underground Hustlin’, Inc. UGH currently produces the longest-running mixtape series in the underground, featuring hundreds of artists over 50 volumes, and growing. Also an artist himself, many Juggalos may have heard Intrinzik’s track, “The Calvary,” on the Hatchet House release of ‘Tunnel Runners.’ He has a catalog of earlier releases and projects, including several solo albums and also with his group Fallguy, and has produced other Juggalo-favorite artists such as McNastee and Bizzare. Over the last few years he took a break from concentrating on his own music to building the UGH brand. Although he did release some singles, ‘Real Time’ is his first full length album in almost eight years (excluding the ‘Fallguy: Resurection’ album in 2008). Over the years, Intrinzik has gone through many personal changes, such as taking on a healthier lifetyle, including yoga instruction and dietary changes. These themes are potent in ‘Real Time,’ wrapped hand-in-hand with his hard-edged look at society and politics, religion and the industry. There is also an overall message, almost in satire of the attitude a lot of artists, and people in general, have today — wanting more than they deserve.

Let’s begin by breaking the album down, track by track:

1. Real Time – The opening track to the album truely sets the whole project off on the right foot. It is the title-track, after all. This is also one of my personal favorites on the album. The beat and instrumentals are very upbeat, slightly inspirational. This song is very sound lyrically as well. The chorus is catchy, very hard not to sing along to. The lyrics hold up as well, giving a powerful opening message to the overall theme of the album, which is stepping back to take a look at the world around you before it passes you by.
Rating: 5/5

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohwG7f0ykrM[/youtube]

2. Dark Sermon – This is a very dark sounding, gritty track. The message behind it is obvious, the masses are being led and controlled by evil and undeserving people. He uses metaphors and references to government and church officials, how they abuse power and use people’s beliefs to their own advantage, and then cover it up with more lies. This song is also catchy, with the chorus having an “anthem” type of sound. I will admit that the instrumental seemed awkward to me at first, but after my second listening I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating: 4/5

3. Hard To Breathe – This track serves more as an introduction to Intrinzik, with no straightforward message other than Intrinzik is back, and he is on the hustle. Also featured on this song is Genghis Ganj, who spits almost what I like to call an “anti-flow,” going against the grain. The intro instrumentals really start the song off on a good foot, and as it progresses, the chimes start to pull you into a trance..
Rating: 4/5
Favorite lyric: “I thought you were the shit because your head’s stuck in your bum”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spa1r0afGM0[/youtube]

4. Why U Mad – This track symbolizes the choices and decisions Intrinzik has had to make throughout his life, and balances both sides, the good and the bad. It also deals heavily with putting his ego and other demons aside, and getting back to his real life. The lyrical flow and instrumentals are heavy-hitting and powerful, this song will defintiely wake you up (not that you’re sleeping listening to this album anyway!)
Rating: 4/5

5. The Engine – The “engine” is a metaphor to society today, and we are all “cogs in the machine,” be it government, religion, or even the “media machine” (television, music, etc.). This song is a wake-up call, to help raise awareness to the fact that people are being used as the inner workings of an overall scheme. The instrumental has a hard edge glossed over with a smooth, almost familiar feel.
Rating: 4/5

6. I’m Done – This song serves as a satire towards artists who act as if they’ve done more than enough and feel like they deserve more than they recieved. Many people take for granted the opportunities they have been given, and quite often their ego gets in the way. Picture Intrinzik speaking as one of these people, not being able to deal with the pressures of fulfilling his dream. Musically, this track flows very nicely, with a soothing female vocal on the chorus.
Rating:– 4.5/5

7. Michael Jordan – I get the impression this is another semi-satirical track, in that he compares himself to Michael Jordan. However, Intrinzik brings up a few very good points, in that he is a major player in the game, and many people are jealous of it. He has accomplished much in his life, and vicously calls out other artists to step up their game. This track is both catchy and amusing, but with a more serious underlying message.
Rating: 3.5/5

8. Burn – Now I was really looking forward to this track, as it features SickTanick and Razakel of Serial Killin’ Records. There is no central message in the song, other than Intrinzik and friends are going to burn the world down (“spitting flames”, “hot flow”). Vocally, this is a very sound track, and the features by Sick and Raz fit in nicely. This would definitely be an excellent live song if they ever all got together on stage, but it’s at least bump-worthy in your car.
Rating: 4.5/5

9. Wadzilla – I need to start right off by saying Insane LOC’s verse is fantastic. Of course we wouldn’t expect any less from him, but his flow and choice of words gives off an energetic sound with an amusing edge. Overall, the song’s theme deals with money, and the fact they all make it. Each artist takes on the role of a monster; Intrinzik resembles Godzilla, Insane LOC is the Jolly Green Giant, and McNastee takes on the persona of King Kong. This is another song that I feel will be repeated a few times on a loud system. The beat has a good bump and never drops it, and the chorus has the potential to become a good sing-a-long.
Rating: 5/5
Favorite lyric: Insane LOC- “..Strapped with a trojan, Mr. Wadzilla, Jolly Green Giant, I’m that nigga..”

10. Hip-Poverty – This track is something I’ve been saying for a while – everyone thinks they’re a rapper nowadays. Almost everyone you meet at a show someplace is trying to promote themselves. But just because you have a couple songs on YouTube or Reverbnation, doesn’t make you the “starving artist” you are claiming to be. You need to have a Plan B, a day job. Once again, this track has a chorus that will most likely get stuck in your head.
Rating: 4/5
Favorite lyric: (spoken word towards the end) “Now I ain’t saying you “rappers” need to stop, but if you can’t buy your kids food or pay your light bill, maybe you should stop buying 250 presale tickets to open up at the local bar and grill..”

11. My Dads – This is a very personal track by Intrinzik. Without divulging too much of his personal information, the first verse discusses his adopted father and how he was there for him and helped raise him. The second verse details his biological father, and how he hasn’t had a chance to meet him. He is influenced by both of his fathers, and while he lives like his adopted father, he feels his biological father inside of him. This song is definitely one you will repeat a few times, as it has a very emotional draw to it.
Rating: 5/5

12. If It – This song serves as a “thank you” to everyone who supported Intrinzik and was there over the years, although he hadn’t always been around to show his appreciation, and pretty much speaks for itself. The intrumental has a nice melodic pop to it, and a gripping chorus. The end of the track he mentions several names in a personal thank you
Rating: 4.5/5

13. 8 Dayz – This track culminates Intrinzik’s career and the amount of time and effort he’s put into it. He started at the bottom and now he has achieved his goals, but not without struggle. The chorus states, “I stay hustlin eight days a week.” This track also features Chuck E Lee and Kutt Calhoun, who’s verses are of a similar theme — they work around the clock to achieve what they have.
Rating: 4/5

14. Real Time Cypher – This is exactly what it says it is – a cypher. It is a 16-minute fast moving song consisting of many artists over an ever-changing beat, beginning with Tech N9ne, who puts down an excellent verse. Also on the track is Mr. Grey, Insane LOC, Mister Hyde, Illson the Imortill, Chosen Few Crew and many more. Every artist on this does a fantastic job, this track never gets old. The beat and voices change and flow so nicely you don’t even realize you’re listening to the same song.
Rating: 5/5

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uRCztX2NAM[/youtube]

As far as overall production value, the album is excellent. I would personally give the production value a rating of 4.8/5. So, based on that and the track average of 4.9/5, this album recieves a rating of 4.85/5 from me. I was not at all displeased or disappointed with ‘Real Time.’ Intrinzik has truely evolved into the artist we all knew he was — it had just been awhile, we needed to be reminded.

Major kudos as well to SickTanick and C4 for their production skills, they did a fantastic job. Also again to SickTanick and to Michael Lattanzi who mixed and mastered a few of the tracks, I imagine it can be a tough thing to fully capture Intrinzik’s true self and reflect it back into a tiny audio file, but these guys did it. Big shoutout to all the featured artists as well: Genghis Ganj, Yael Lanciano, SickTanick, Razakel, Insane LOC, McNastee, Chuck E. Lee and Kutt Calhoun, as well as all the cypher artists, who are too many to name here.

I would strongly urge all hip hop and metal fans to pick up this album. ‘Real Time’ redefines the current genres as we know it, and is certainly the new pinnacle of Intrinzik’s career. I have nothing but great things to say about this project..

Once again, thank you to Intrinzik for the opportunity, you know how much I’ve been looking forward to this album, haha. I expect nothing but more great things to come from the Underground Hustlin’ camp, as they turn the page with Volume 50 of their mixtape series, hosted by Blaze Ya Dead Homie. I truely hope Intrinzik does plan to release another album, but if some of these songs were true, and this is his last album, then he went out with an unequivocal bang.

Track Listing
1. Real Time – Produced by C4, Mixed & Mastered by SickTanick
2. Dark Sermon – Produced by C4, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik
3. Hard to Breathe (feat. Genghis Ganj) – Produced by C4, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik
4. Why U Mad – Produced by SickTanick, Mixed & Mastered by SickTanick
5. The Engine – Produced by Jay Nasty, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik
6. I’m Done (ft. Yael Lanciano) – Produced by C4, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik
7. Michael Jordan – Produced by C4, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik
8. Burn (feat. Sicktanick and Razakel) – Produced by SickTanick, Mixed & Mastered by SickTanick
9. Wadzilla (feat. Insane LOC and McNastee) – Produced by C4, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik
10. Hip Poverty – Produced by C4, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik
11. Just Like My Dads – Produced by SickTanick, Mixed and Mastered by Michael Lattanzi
12. If It – Produced by SickTanick, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik
13. 8 Dayz (feat. Chuck E Lee and Kutt Calhoun) – Produced by C4, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik
14. Real Time Cypher – Prodcued by C4, Mixed & Mastered by Intrinzik

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DulE_WNUakc[/youtube]