Search - Q-Unique :: Vengeance Is Mine

Hip Hop Classic

Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez | Nueva York | 10/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In an era where rap music has become pop and dominated by African Americans, it is refreshing to see a Puerto Rican artist stake his claim in this genre. Many forget that over 30 years ago when Hip Hop was born in the Boogie Down Bronx that the scene was dominated by African Americans and Puerto Ricans. Decades later the music industry has given a blind eye to Latino artists trying to catch a break in the rap scene. Then along comes Q-Unique.



Paving his way in the music scene for over a decade this artist has had songs on soundtracks, full-length albums with the Arsonists, and countless compilation singles. Therefore, one cannot say that Q-Unique is a new up and coming artist. He's been here before, and he's here to stay.



His debut solo album "Vengeance Is Mine" shows us the dark and harsh side of Hip Hop music at its best, when it goes internal. Q-Unique takes this opportunity to therapeutically and artistically wrestle with demons that he has held at bay for quite some time by channeling these emotions and experiences into music. Many artists claim to be killers, ballers and players. Q-Unique makes no claim. He takes the path less taken in Hip Hop and places himself and his pain at the center of his work. With songs like "The Set Up," "Diamond in the Ruff" and "Father's Day" Q-Unique paints a picture of Hip Hop that many inner-city youth experience year after year: poverty, struggle and abuse. Yet, Q-Unique does also give voice to the struggling guy from the hood with crime inspired songs like "The Ugly Place," "Stone Cold," "Me, That's Who" and the ironic take on Hip Hop style with "Fashion Victims"



The album comes full circle at a high note when he delivers his last "One Shot." This unapologetic jab at the music industry, which held him and other Latino artists back, is a masterpiece in and of itself. However, one cannot give a complete review without mentioning the Young Lords Party inspired revolutionary attack on conservative media and the Bush administration "Psychological Warfare."



As a whole, this CD delivers powerful, poignant and masterfully crafted Hip Hop for an audience in need of an artist that is not influenced artistically by a corporate machine or media entity. This is Hip Hop at its best and truest form."

Vengeance

Exxxxx | shack in the wilderness. | 11/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Man, alot of heads will not agree with me on this, but I always thought the Arsonists were a little overrated. I always heard their shows were mad live, and i'm sure they were, it's just that their albums weren't grabbing me like they seemed to grab a lot of other kids. Well this summer I got the chance to see Q, and Non Phixion live at the Warped Tour and Q-Uinque got his thing started with "Me Thats Who"(produced by Juju), and my opinion strongly changed right then and there. So here I am several months later and I finally got my copy of Vengeance Is Mine and I have to say I am thoroughly impressed. What we have here is a very personal album and you can tell Q put a lot into this project. He seems to fit perfectly in the Uncle Howie family, Necro blessed this banger with a couple of nice heaters, as did Juju, but what really gets me is how I discounted this cat as a producer because the joints he hit up on the boards are some of the illest on this effort. Big ups to Q-Unique for bringing something to the table that isn't the same ol same ol, I mean c'mon listen to cuts like "Fashion Victim", or "The Set Up", and tell me this cat can't flow his a$$ off. Uncle Howie, Arsonists fan or not pick this up if you dig quality hip hop."

Really good Hip Hop album

Nikos | France | 09/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Really dope album. Like 'Alkaholics' but better because solo album. Not bling bling at all but underground !!!! grab this one !"