It's a bright sign for hip-hop when at least three promising subterranean sluggers ride flows comparable to that of the almighty Nas. Those select artists would be California youngster Fashawn, Lawrence rhyme pugilist Reks, and Long Island rapper Dashah, the last of whose Fresh Vetz collaboration with producer DJ Pause is the latest in a long string of mixtape miracles. Like those other sons of God's Son, Dashah is no rookie, though his burn is best known throughout the five boroughs.
Here, on battle cuts like "Verbal Assassin," his acrobatic braggadocio amounts to little more than lyrical exhibitionism. "Letter to the Fallen," on the other hand, proves he can do more. But why should he? Dashah soars when negotiating the one topic that only rappers write songs about: hip-hop.
"The MC" is straight horn crack; "I Still Love H.E.R." is easily one of the finest interpolations of the original Common Sense song yet. Given his skill level, it would be tough for Dashah to drop a weak project. But atop striking strings and cement foundations the likes of those laid here by DJ Pause, he's capable of feats that most cats can handle only in the mirror while lip-synching to "Halftime."
