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Artist: Boo-Ray
Album: Ray - "3-Song Demo"
CD Review: Genre: Rap
Title: Gemini
Sounds Like: Sir Mix Alot without the attitude
Technical Grade: 6
Production/Musicianship Grade: 6
Commercial Value: 7
Overall Talent Level: 7
Songwriting Skills: 8
Performance Skill: 6
Best Songs: Pretty In Pink
Weakness: Lack of diversity/Strong hooks
CD Review: This CD is one of the more clever, innovative, and ambitious projects that I have received. It came from Boo-Ray, who is a rap artist from Buffalo, New York. Boo-Ray, as it is eloquently explained in the opening track, is really two different people (or one person with an alterego) taking turns delivering pensive lyrics with confidence and conviction.

Boo - the hustler with the street smarts - talks about many of the every day urban dramas of drug dealing, violence, oppression, and police harassment, that are familiar with this genre. Ray - the older, more mature version of the two, has a law degree, making him by proclamation (and also to my knowledge) the first rapping lawyer.

He's got the whole Gemini act down. Most impressively, he knows which of the two are better suited for all of life's occasions. At some point, you have to wonder when do both Boo and Ray, amalgamate into another person altogether, creating a third dude who is bigger and badder than both of them?

That happens on track 3, ("Pretty In Pink") which is the obvious radio pick with the most commercial potential.

Advice: Have Boo (or Ray) inject a little more personality and emotion to break the monotony in the verses. It will make a big difference.