Music Review

Artist: Chapel
Album: Prince of the Plains
Words: Lost Child

With Chapel's resurgence on the music scene after, The $100 Mixtape, The Redemption EP, and now claming the title “Prince of the Plains,” his body of work is rapidly growing. On his third go around, Chapel brings to life the walk, talk, and (shit I hate to say it) swagger of his hometown. White or Blak Plains, Chap provides a soundtrack to the place where he lays his head and theme music to the complex life he leads. Wanna get drunk and high, smut a few slores? Chap’s got it. Want a positive message that’s inspiring and hella thought provoking? Chap’ll hold you down. Want “versatile verses that vary and violate, with beats leakin' through the speakers vibratin' thoughout the tri-state” or anywhere for that matter? Chap’s got your back… fuck looking over shoulders.

Prince of the Plains is a back to basics of sorts for Big Chap. Where as prior, on The Redemption EP, he attempted to show his versatility as a true artist playing with different concepts, production, flows, and so on, Prince of the Plains fits this Boss like a fresh pair of size 13 custom Mauri Gators. Chapel shows growth, maturity, artistry and craftsmanship all in 21 minutes and never hesitates to hit listeners with hot lines, slick metaphors, and consistent jewels. On “Get Up,” a hand clappin' shout out to all the coasts, the Prince blesses listeners with a gem from his crown of experience, “everywhere I'm lurkin' and searchin' I seem to find fake/ when you keep a tool on your person you hope to find hate.”

Nothing in life is perfect, and Prince of the Plains is no different. Several tracks suffer from ‘lame chorus syndrome.’ With an attempt at capturing the catchy 2006 hip-hop formula, these lack luster hooks tend to take away from the potent lyrics laced throughout the CD. “Top shotta I be hotta in the navy pradas/pull choppas even when the neighbors call the coppas,” makes his “One Hitter Quitter” more like a two piece from a WBC super-lightweight. On “Speed Demon,” Chapel takes a shot at 50 Cent’s R&B throne by crooning “Drive thru Mickey’s/ drive thru Wendy’s/drive thru Burger King/When I wanna jump I don't even try to front/ Got my mind on hittin’ those skins.” While this ode to baggin' hoes is cool, it was definitely executed wrong.

But don't get it twisted, this Diamond Plus Playa has enough promising beats and hip-hop quotables to go around. Ever the artist, Chapel plays with many different flows and cadences to show his skill. Overall, this 8 track jewel shines bright coming from a talented Prince anxiously waiting to take the throne. “I got my rhythm now.” Chapel definitely sounds at home this time around.

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