The Music Tip

Reviewed By: Clay Duda
Rating: 7.5/10
Replay Value: High
Release Date: May 15, 2010
Cheapest Prices: www.GigioRaps.com

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Bay Area rapper Gigio dropped “Culture Shock” back on May 15, 2010, but I’m still in shock. In fact, I’m just getting my head around the whole thing.

Its melodic world beat meets West Coast Hip Hop. Wait, is it world beat? The first track is more Americana than any of us – borrowing a Native American tribal vibe – and the rest just aren’t what you’re hearing from many of today’s producers.

“I just wanna keep growing, evolving and pushing the envelope as far as I can,” Gigio said in an online interview. Lyrically infused, many of the beats set the album apart themselves. It’s not too far a cry from his past releases, but is still an artistic stretch in the right direction.

“Culture Shock” marks G’s 8th release since “officially” starting in on the hip-hop grind in 06’, but by his own account 22-year-old Gigio has been rhyming and recording since age 9.

“I hope I can inspire the next generation of emcees and songwriters in general to come with it and push to do that next level shit … I don’t feel like there’s a lot of us doing that right now.”

From rapping about wizard beards, Masonic symbols and street slang to testing the candor of newbee emcees and Hip Hoppers stuck in 92’, G comes with original content. And that’s what it takes to be a 21st century entertainer. It’s not about playing to a niche but creating your own, just like the pioneers did back in the day, and G is well on his way.

Keep an eye out for Gigio Cordova and the rest of the Associated Fresh crew in the near future. Feel left out? You can pick up many of his past releases for FREE @ www.GigioRaps.com.