IMAKEMADBEATS

(Doxside Music Group)

IMAKEMADBEATS’ self-titled debut is proof you can’t judge a book by its cover. Strapped with one of the all-time most inexplicable handles (IMMB also goes by NeMo), IMMB orchestrates a who’s who of post-backpack rap, reeling in a whopping 32 featured rappers and singers, including Black Milk (brandishing Detroit oomph on “Heard of Me”); Tanya Morgan’s Von Pea, who evokes Brooklynati memories with “I Bet”; and Smif N Wessun’s Steele going straight gruff on “Revenge NYC.” None stick out to the point of smash, but the album woofs consistently, from “The Same” through “Return With a Mask On,” mixing political wisdom (“Corporate N Gommorah”) with a modern reincarnation of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Show Business” on “Triple Jeopardy.” All the while, there’s no denying, dude makes some very mad beats. (Thu., 8pm, Scoot Inn)

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This article appears in March 18 • 2011.

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