When I came across Reincarnated, the two-disc (CD/DVD) release by Alex King, I had to set aside my presumptions that almost all white boy rappers try WAY TOO HARD to champion the thug life image they found watching gangsta icons on cable TV. I thought maybe some of these thugs really had some genuine, new emotions to express, quite possibly blending rap with new forms of music, vernacular or perspective, or maybe even some sense of comedy. That being said, Alex King’s Reincarnated has let me down. My hopes for a new approach to the genre have been hushed, as my presumption proved to be true; the only white boy who seemingly pulled this “white boys can rap” thing off has already pulled it too hard; we still appreciate you Eminem . . . and even he had the vision to talk shit about his obvious appearance as a white rapper trying to sound HARD on MTV!
Alex King definitely dumped his hard earned money into the hoopty with Reincarnated, as it is chuck-full of what could be heard as clever rhymes and appropriate hooks that could fool you into thinking you are listening to a seasoned rap artist if you are a 16-year-old mistaking yourself to be a bigger part of Thug Life Culture than you really are. The lyric content is about how hard Alex’s young childhood was, exploiting the loss of his father, and how he’s got a couple of kids, dodging bullets, with dreams to get his face on some magazines, and buy his momma a house. Is Alex a fan of MTV? Cribs maybe? I am going to say Alex gets props from fellow products of too much MTV and a circle of friends that share the same fantasy of “anyone can get paid with dis ole rap thang.”
Upon further listening, Alex King’s attempt to express his hard-knocks life ends up sounding more like a talented young parent who has dreams of turning his seemingly successful bedroom E-hustle into a reality.
Alex King can actually put some clever rhymes together. They are just not original. Alex feels like the world needs to hear his rendition of the “true gangsta story,” which most seasoned listeners would see as contrived, if not funny.
Listening to tracks like”Survivor” and “Take Over” are proof enough for me; Alex has made an album that he really thinks people other than his friends will not only buy, but listen to and believe his “been through it all and back to preach” idea of himself. Alex has obviously spent time with the genre, and he has a knack for replicating the content-driven flows that coined the “thug preacha” style.
If you are leaning back in your pimped-out Escort, puff’n on a wood-tip swisha, with a twisted Echo cap, then you might like this album. And if you do, you should support Alex because he has worked hard on his album, and he deserves as much praise for his graphic designs. Southern Fried Studios set a pretty dope backdrop for Alex on “Reincarnated,” and Big Fella makes a fitting cameo on “Get By.” Promising tracks on the album are “Like a Sewing Machine” and “Looking For A Change.”
In short, Alex should continue pursuing his graphic and marketing skills; he’s got lots of hustle and a little flow.
I’ve met Alex and his son and his wife. They are all very nice and his world outside of music is fun and funny. his stepfather is my moms boyfriend and they are all very nice.
Comment November 15, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
Im sorry but this article is completely irrelevant and untrue…I have been in the music business for 10 years and have done everything from droppin my own cds completely independently, opening up for the biggest names in the industry, working to find talent for A&Rs, produced, book shows, have my own studio, and play 3 instruments…Alex King is a very talented individual..Although this cd wasn’t reaching his full potential by any means, he doesnt sound anything like half these other rappers..I have never seen a rapper that has lived a perfect childhood with a silver spoon, it just doesnt happen..Struggling is apart of our everyday lives, so NO SHIT rappers talk about it..That is real rap, talks of struggle, dreams of making it, stories of true tradegy and courage, and at the end of the day making it! If you’re idea of real rap is that commercial bullshit talking about money and how many houses and cars they own, then you are sadly mistaken…REAL hip hop heads appreciate peoples story of their struggle, and would much rather hear that then this commercial money rap..I didnt hear Alex King say once that he was a thug by any means..Do you see how he dresses and his swag? He doesnt look like a thug nor dress likeke a thug, nor claim to be one..His approach at a new style of rap was refreshing if you ask me..Some of the songs were below average, i will give you that..But as a whole, refreshing and DIFFERENT…And when you speak of him talkign about buying a house and cars its on the song “WHAT IF I” the title says it all…Its a song about all the things he wishes he could get done if he didnt wake up tomorrow…I hadn’t heard of Alex before Reincarnation, so being the music enthusiast that I am, i did some research on him..Turns out he is the owner of a million dollar video production and pressing company..So, you could say this rap thing is more than likely just a hobby..He already has a career..You can keep talking down on people though, when you obviously have no clue what you are talking about when it comes to hip-hop…Get some money and maybe you wouldn’t have to talk down on people over the internet just because they have everything you wish you had 🙂 .. Just a word of advice…This is all opinion, but ill have you know it is the opinion of a WHOLE MOVEMENT..A LOT AND LOT AND LOTS of people support Alex King, whether its through his music or through his movies or music videos..He has a lot of true fans..Once again, you are sadly mistaken by saying just his friends would buy his album..He just did a song with Lil Wayne for Christ sake, the biggest name in rap (even though i do not like Lil Wayne at ALL). but still..He has toured the world with his music and done shows with handfuls and handfuls of the biggest names in the industry, and guess what? He is pretty much alllll independent in his hustle…Meaning he is breaking barriers..Nice try though, bud…Next time write a blog about something GOOD that is going on in the world…Dont share with us your negative Nancy OPIONIONS, or lack there of, and spread hate. Rather, write somethign positive and maybe people would actually read your articles!! You my friend, are an average writer, and unfortunately just like every other “hate preacha” (journalist or blogger) you share an equal over-all topic with allllll of the other writers, and that is bad news and hate..Its kind of ironic you call out a rapper with more talent in his left thumb than you will ever have, when you’re writing style is below mediocracy…Don’t quit your day job..Have a good one, and Merry Xmas coming up!! God is good..So is straight CASH…ONE LOVE
Comment November 30, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
i agree with Weber You Ain’t give Alex Enough Credit. he’s got more flow then lil waynes none rapping ass
Comment February 14, 2013 @ 3:24 pm