Kristmas - W2 Boy Album Review

Artist: Kristmas of DB49
Album: W2 Boy
Label: Slow Motion Sounds Records
Executive Producers: Slow Motion Sounds

DB49 group member Kristmas has made no attempt to ever deny that he was a “W2 Boy” rather than a “trap boy” as so many of Hip Hop’s cliché trappers have made synonymous with hip hop for better or worse. So many pretend as if being a “working man” making money legally is shameful (see Rick Ross’ repeated denial of being a C.O. rather than a drug kingpin). Kristmas has wore that label of a “working man” as a badge of honor and has never attempted to be otherwise. From the very first time I heard Kristmas on some of the early Slow Motion Sounds/Paper Route Records albums/mixtapes from back in the day to his mixtapes “Kristmas Gifts”, “December 25^th”, and his first project “So Gifted” and the super group DB49 (with ST 2 Lettaz of G-Side & Bentley) project “Happy Hour” last year. If you follow Kristmas or Huntsville artists in general then you likely know that Kristmas has been working on the “W2 Boy” project for some time and now he finally releases his long awaited album.

The album opens up with “W2 Boy’s” lead single “Something Wrong” featuring an introduction from Slow Motion Sounds head honcho Codie G. and production form Derek Sanders II. Kristmas proclaims that he can brag about “being a working rap n!gga” if others than brag about selling drugs and popping guns, Kristmas throws all of “trappers” under the bus and sends a great message over a riding beat:

“I just hope for the future that it makes a difference/
cause all you rappers perpetuating is ignorance/
and then passing it off to the innocents/
and you aint even living what you selling though/
you make a few bucks but in reality, though, you failing ‘em/
because they trying to be everything that you tellin’ ‘em/
we try to tell ‘em right and they look at us like some aliens/
but this is W2 business/
this is SMS and the way we now do business/
you so busy talking drugs, cars, and b!tches/
you fail to mention honor, that’s why there’s so many snitches/
Something wrong…”

Kristmas follows up this with “I Need A Drink” featuring Joi Tiffany & Codie G where Kristmas talks about drowning his sorrows and trials in life in alcohol. On a song I completely figured would be in the vein of the DB49 projects ends up being a very personal record with Kristmas saying that he needs to drink the pain away. Slow Motion Sounds head man Codie G even jumps on the mic and spits his own auto-tuned verse about surviving and Huntsville native Joi Tiffany unleashes her beautiful voice on the chorus with R. Dot providing the smooth beat. The song almost ends up being a thank you note to alcohol for pulling them through hard times rather than condoning or condemning it. A different take on alcohol consumption here. Next up Kristmas mocks “trap music” on “Simple Economics” suggesting that somebody is lying with all these supposed trappers because “if everybody selling it, then who’s buying it?!” R. Dot returns for the thumping beat while Kristmas unleashes on fake trappers.

The critically acclaimed Block Beataz step behind the boards as we move into “My Bizness.” The thumping production lays the backdrop for Kristmas to showcase a different flow and catchy hook. This song ends up being a ‘celebration of life’ type of record that is extremely upbeat and up-tempo and Kristmas shines over the amazing Block Beataz production. Bossman handles the production on “Society Sayz” and the guitar riffs are infectious and Kristmas matches the sickening beat with an unbelievably aggressive flow as he and Slow Motion Sounds’ First Lady S.L.A.S.H. spit about breaking stereotypes and screaming “f*ck society!” This ends up being one of the most impressive tracks on an album chock full of impressive cuts.

“in this six pack society n!gga I rock the keg!/
society says that I should be on the ledge!/
50 stories high and staring over the edge!/
contemplating suicide that’s what society says!/
cause my belly hangs over my belt slightly!/
I don’t look like no one on tv, no one will like me!/
but I get approached by beautiful women nightly!/
so I don’t give a F*CK how yall stereotype me!/
if you don’t like how I look then F*CK YOU!/
and that status quo bullsh*t you look up to!/
we aint gotta have the body of a model!/
or be shaped like a Coke because that ain’t the only bottle!/
and don’t be influenced by the media!/
cause the meaning of beauty’s not in the encyclopedia!/
beauty is in the eye of who be eying me!/
SO PUT YA MIDDLE FINGER UP! F*CK SOCIETY!”

Kristmas switches up the tone on the Block Beataz produced “Feng Shui” as he dedicates this one to the ladies over the laid back beat. Call it the Kristmas’s version of that baby making music and it rocks just like the rest of the album. Next up is the same type of humor you should always expect from the DB49 boys as Kristmas calls Bentley from jail. On the skit Bentley says Kristmas is “one cool motherf*cker” and that transitions us into the next song which is “Cool MF” produced by Cees Productions and featuring Shyft and Joi Tiffany. This track is some of that laid back, riding music that you would almost expect from the Dungeon Family. Kristmas then shifts gears with “Gangsta & Gentleman” with the thunderous Block Beataz production. Kristmas talks about how females want both a gangsta and a gentleman wanting him to “treat her like a gentleman but freak her like a gangsta!”

Derek Sanders II returns behind the boards on “My Good Thang” providing the backdrop for Kristmas’ dedication to the good females out there. The keys and the background singing provide the assist for this score. On “Don’t Get Left” Kristmas tells the listeners to get right or “get left” in life. Kristmas’ DB49 buddy, Bentley, comes along for “My City” along with Oslo, Germany singer Chris Lee as they dedicate this epic record over a banging R. Dot beat to their hometowns (Huntsville for Kristmas, Florence for Bentley).

The album closes with the amazing “Slavin” featuring Shyft. Block Beataz include what sounds like slaves working into the thumping beat as Kristmas provides some of his most introspective lyrics and Shyft gives us a stellar hook. Kristmas talks about being a slave to society, debt, etc. on this amazing closing effort for the album.

Overall Kristmas provides some of the best music of his career over stellar production. He spits real lyrics and witty lines and his music feels as authentic and real as any artist I know of. This one is well worth your hard earned money right here.