Rep. Trey Radel must not have read my lukewarm review of Jay-Z's "Magna Carta…Holy Grail." If he had done so, his glowing Twitter review of the album would have been different.
In a profile in The Hill, Radel remembered when he first fell in love with hip-hop. He stumbled upon a cassette of N.W.A.’s seminal "Straight Outta Compton" as he walked home during the 7th grade.
"By hearing this, I heard about other parts of the country outside my little box in Ohio," he said. "I heard stories that would explain everything from violence, to gang warfare, to the crack epidemic and issues with law enforcement. This gave me a wider view of the world."
Radel touts Jay-Z's brand of luxury rap.
And only #jayz @s_c_ can throw down "nickels n dimes" after tracks about Concords, Paris, Rome n Tom Ford.. Dude still pulls it off. #MCHG
— Rep. Trey Radel (@treyradel) July 16, 2013
Little Trey’s view of the world would be considerably less wide if that first cassette had been MCHG. None of MCHG is particularly interesting nor insightful enough for a pre-teen.
Radel apparently can compare notes with Shawn Corey about how fast the Concorde travels to Paris.
And only Hova @s_c_ can pull off references to the Concord, Paris n Rome and still sound real. Not @kanyewest. No one. #MCHG
— Rep. Trey Radel (@treyradel) July 16, 2013
Watch out Trey—don't sound too "Washington." A lot of Americans have never been on the Concorde; they can’t confirm whether Hov is "sounding real." That’s some ripe opposition research for your 2014 challenger. #protip
On Crown. Love the use of old school synths & bass sounds like a TR-808. Old school. Solid beats. #jayz @s_c_ #MCHG
— Rep. Trey Radel (@treyradel) July 16, 2013
I'm not too flustered by Radel’s review. While I disagree with him about whether MCHG is a good album, at least his tweets sound like he’s actually listening to the music. A lot of his comments refer to MCHG's references and beats, which you pick up on during a first listen. Radel should listen one more time, and think more deeply about MCHG’s content.
Somewhereinamerica. Helluva track. Piano, brass n strings rock. #Nola feel. & hilarious. Yes-- #Twerking. Even a ref to Frank Sinatra! #MCHG
— Rep. Trey Radel (@treyradel) July 16, 2013
That’s what bothers me the most about Radel’s review. The best sounding record is "Beach is Better" ... and it doesn't get a mention.
Do better, Congressman.