Between taking the SAT and creating some of the finest material from the West Coast in recent years, Casey Veggies is no ordinary 17-year-old. While many teenagers are on facebook until two in the morning, Casey utilizes that time to instead be in the studio. Working, creating, making music. The school bells that start off the first and last track are not just audible additions to fit the theme of the project, but also serve as metaphorical placements. The bell on the first track signifies a change. Up front, it's a change of class. But the more listening you do throughout the project, you realize it's a change of music. A change of LA hip hop. A change for the better.
As some sort of glorious harmony sends your head into a bopping manner on the second track, a fellow Peas & Carrots team member, Joshton Peas, flexes his vocal chords with a confident introduction of the utmost "swag." As the title of the song, Ridin Roun Town, suggests - this is something you let thump through the speakers of your convertible while cruising the palm-tree lined streets of Los Angeles. Features on the compilation are present, but in no way overwhelming. Two local artists, Dom Kennedy and Tyler, The Creator, share the spot of most memorable guest verse. Dom's opening bars on 'Get Through' ride in as relaxed and smooth as California ocean waves, while he seemingly tosses the baton to young veggies. Tyler offers a verse on 'DTA' (Don't Trust Anyone), a song with a rattling, quick array of drums - yet nothing too heavy. Spitting in his usual tone, he recites a dark-but-humorous, yet completely serious, set of provocative nouns and verbs.
The production of the entire collection is very versatile, while still maintaining a unified overall sound. Casey discusses topics ranging from the dedication to his craft to his experience with girls, even speaking on his Grandma. On 'Hear Me Screamin', he takes the listener into that nursing home where she's staying and confesses that he wishes that he could somehow manage to fit his verse down her feeding tube to reach her. Casey shares these deep emotions and feelings with us because, as he says on 'And Ever' - "I did it all for y'all." One thing that you can't miss in these veggie verses is his proud representation of Los Angeles and particularly his hometown, Inglewood. Over a slower, mellow beat of 'Loved Then Alone', he backs this up particularly well, "I'm like a bruin when I spit it, U-C-L-A (you see LA)."
The final earth-rattling bell on the last track is the end of class. With this chapter in the books, the future looks bright for Casey. He's a student and a teacher, all in one, studying the game yet teaching others lessons at the same time.
You might want to pay attention.
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This is the first Musical Review that I've posted and although I want to try to incorporate
my love for music more into the site, these reviews will only come every so often.
I was inclined to give it a go this time because it was great to see a fellow
17-year-old working hard and producing great work.