Apathy
Honkey Kong
Release Date: Aug 23, 2011
Genre(s): Rap, Underground Rap, Hardcore Rap
Record label: Dirty Version
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Album Review: Honkey Kong by Apathy
Excellent, Based on 4 Critics
Based on rating 8.5/10
Apathy :: Honkey KongDemigodz EnterprisesAuthor: Steve 'Flash' JuonIt's probably a stretch to claim that Connecticut rap kingpin Chad Bromley b/k/a Apathy was inspired by Andrew Matson's review from 2006, but the title of his latest album does parallel something Matson said to describe the man nicely: "He's not an abstract rapper, form or content-wise, but offers technically flawless verses consistently delivered with the force of a guy who knows he's the shit. He's a mic ripper, a savage, a beast, an unstoppable force." Hmm. A savage, a beast, AND an unstoppable force? That certainly sounds "Honkey Kong," matched on the album cover by a ferocious white gorilla that can only be described as Snowflake on a steroid bender.
Based on rating 4.0/5
In early 2011, Apathy had a Twitter rant that chastised the state of rap. He didn’t say anything new—frets about the commercial music outnumbering the sincerity, artists being soft and emo instead of the hardnosed demeanors from yesteryear—but to some, it was refreshing to see an artist speaking his mind without fears of industry repercussions. With his third album, Honkey Kong (listen to the teaser ), the Connecticut emcee backs up his tweets by crafting music that harkens back to the rap that he fell in love with years ago.
Based on rating 7/10
If having a giant white gorilla with the words Honkey Kong on the cover of your rap CD doesn’t seem racist, it might at least be tasteless or merely idiotic. As it turns out, this album is none of those things. From jumpstreet Apathy is all smart pop-culture references and clever punch-line raps that prove the Connecticut MC’s best weapon is his sense of humor.
Opinion: Excellent
Connecticut rapper Apathy is an underground mainstay, from founding backpacker-favorite supergroup Demigodz to his work in Army of Pharaohs and Get Busy Committee. With his third album, Honkey Kong, Ap delivers another classicist East Coast record that takes advantage of his flair for Big L-style wordplay. “Never Say Never” is a fun throwback to ’90s dancehall-rap fusion with invigorated verses from Mad Lion and Smif-N-Wessun’s General Steele.
'Honkey Kong'
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