Honest OPINION:
Best rapping skills I would have to say G.O.D. Jewels easily.
But I felt his raw talent shined more on his previously released tracks than what was on Glory or Death and Greatness Opens Doors. e.g. Mirror, Toys & Like a God (even though these made the debut tape), Catch Me in the Hood, I Got Bars (The Mobb Freestyle), How To Rap (only NTers would really get some of the bars on this), etc.
His two tapes were really solid, and two of my most played but I still feel there's much left of his true talent that is yet to be seen. And they have great songs but there's an umph missing from the overall projects. Mixtapes that succeed rely more on the total product because of the energy and cohesiveness from them. Kush & OJ and Trap or Die are two critically-acclaimed mixtapes but neither have Nas-like lyricism. I can't be mad because both Jewels' releases have amazing quality, and he stayed true to what he thinks is best for him as an artist so I respect that.
I'm also a big fan of his original sound created from the majority of his tracks produced by Flu and eBeatz / E&J
Best Mixtape: Glory or Death
Best Songs from Mixtapes: (Aside from those already listed)
Boss / prod. by Flu
3-2 Gang ft. J-Diction / prod. by Flu (All I'm gonna say is WOW)
L.A. to Chicago ft. Dom Kennedy / prod. by Flu (Such a well crafted track and great collaboration)
Ain't no Way / prod. by E&J (best way to end a debut mixtape)
All Things Go / prod. by Plan
The Cusp ft. J-Nicole / prod. by E&J
Conclusion: Amazing talent. Original sound, flow, and constant quality work. I truly believe he's next up.
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However, as an ARTIST I would have to say The Boy Illinois, as I was a HUGE fan of State Representative and Loyalty Before the Love, BUT I didn't have the same reception towards After School Program even though it was quality work as well. If you listen to his music, there was definitely a BIG shift here in his image and music, and I guess I didn't get the Illi I was expecting to hear after the first two Inhale volumes. I wasn't feeling the whole huge glasses, cardigan sweater Ivy league look. Or maybe I just related more with his original style but if he can find that lane kind of like how Wiz found the weed-smoker niche, then more power to him.
What I do love about his work is the constant Baron Boys production. Aside from that, the honesty and emotion in the first two Inhale volumes were some real +#@* that I felt separated his work from others. It made his music authentic.
Best Mixtape:
Inhale Pt. 2: Loyalty Before the Love
I played Vol. 1 more but Vol. 2's production takes it to the top. I just wish the album art was better.
Best Songs:
Chicago White Sox ft. G.O.D. Jewels / prod. by Baron Boys (Great concept and chemistry and they both KILLED it.)
Stress
Exhale
Bye Bye Lil Lady / prod. by Time
Respect / prod. by Plan
Like This / prod. by Baron Boys
Chi Lights / prod. Trap Camp Ent.
Speaking Through Experience / prod. by Baron Boys
Conclusion: Great body of work. Great artist and has so much potential. Meshes well with Baron Boys sound. His hooks/song structure and replay value far-exceed many up-and-comers.
I feel these two are on the lead. Aside from the good promotion and support, their music does really speak for itself because they have great material and persistence. Dom and Wale already got theirs so no point in talking about them. But these two have incredible potential.
And if either of y'all bammas read this, this is all constructive criticism because I want y'all to improve and make it. I remember working on both y'all Myspace pages about 4 years ago
Last message: Keep supporting NT artists and producers y'all