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(7 votes, average: 3.71 out of 5)

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NinJa G is a rapper based out of Elkhart, Indiana. Touring with the likes of DJ Clay, Big Hoodoo, Bailz, and more, he is slowly emerging on the scene, and the latest release #WhatUpMyNinJa has helped him continue that trend. This was first seen on the DJ Clay and Big Hoodoo tour and is currently exclusive to his latest appearances, but the sampler can also be downloaded for free.

1. #WhatUpMyNinJa
2. Murder Suspect
3. I’m the Shit
4. 4ThaKill
5. Luv My City
6. I Go So Hard

The album consists of 9 tracks, with the last 3 being claimed as bonus tracks. Throughout the album, NinJa G basically makes an introductory to himself and the career he has carried since the mid-2000s. The majority of the songs has a bumping vibe for the beat, matched with catchy hooks and NinJa’s vocals.

“4ThaKill” heavily samples a La Roux song. Changing from melodic pop to brutal hip-hop, the reinvention of the track is well done. NinJa spits out the introduction to his lifestyle easily over the redone beat. In most songs on this album, as previously mentioned, the verses are about introducing NinJa G himself. He does a good job covering about exactly who he is, such as “I’m the Shit”, “I Go So Hard”, “#WhatUpMyNinJa”, and others. He covers family, money, sex, respect, and overall his personal intentions. Most of the songs share the same lyrical content without complexity. Since this is currently an exclusive album, and made to directly reveal who NinJa G is, it doesn’t need to be complex. It does a solid job of getting to know the man from Elkhart.

In “Luv My City”, NinJa G raps not only about himself, but changes the focus to presumably Elkhart. Rapping over a wall of electric waves and thumping claps, he talks about the lifestyle and upbringings of his hometown. “Murder Suspect” is also a change of pace, creating the story of corruption and suspicion. Even though this serves as an introduction album, these two tracks are standouts, regardless of the different topics.

Although the same claps, tempo, and structure are present throughout pretty much every song, there are noticeable changes that make one unique to another. In “I Go So Hard”, the retro-sounding keyboard is consistent and matches the verses perfectly. In the chorus, the claps are partially cut, and the noise is featured more promptly and it sounds good; however, the actual hook line is a bit repetitive, covering bitches and money, and isn’t really catchy. In “Murder Suspect”, the haunting bells and fitting leads are aligned great with the verses and even better with the soulful hook, alongside the claps and occasional piano notes.

Although #WhatUpMyNinJa isn’t very different in regards to the lyrics with the exception of a few songs, that shouldn’t be a disappointing factor. This album succeeds in introducing the listener to NinJa G, and is not meant to be a concept storybook. Some elements of the songs are a bit too similar, but many small modifications to the beats and the different styles of the verses gives the release a certain extent of diversity, and is easily worth a listen.

Favorite Tracks:

1. Murder Suspect
2. Luv My City
3. 4ThaKill
4. The Game
5. #WhatUpMyNinJa

Record Label:

• NinJa G Production Records

Purchase:

• ReverbNation - Free

Websites:

• NinJa G Official

Reviewer:

• Xanarki