Tim’m–
Blakkboy Blue(s)
Review By: Raven Ekundayo
Editor@excapethematrix.com
Tim’m West is like the poster boy (man) for all that ETM.com stands for. He believes in going against the grain and not fitting into any box. One of the things that makes Tim’m such a respected artist is that he doesn’t fit into any stereotype. The only thing you can say about this brother is that he’s true to his art….and he’s true to himself.
On Blakkboy Blue (s), his latest effort, Tim’m speaks his mind on issues that matter to our society and personal issues as well. This speaks to the true artist within. So often these days we find that artist make garbage and call it music. Tim’m is a story teller.
The cd starts off with Asphalt which features
Baraka Noel. This story is about the issues going down in the streets and how
each person hustles in a different way, no matter if it’s the hustle to sell
drugs or hustling to keep the streets clean. “Asphalt absorbs all colors”.
Man Up featuring Tori Fixx is a call for men to do just that. On this
track Tim’m calls out all the so called “Real men” in society and
questions
their actions towards their women and their kids. What makes this song so
powerful is that he pulls them up on why he’s considered less than a man for
being gay when he handles his business but they don’t. He makes it clear that
your sexuality has nothing to do with being a man. A fact one would assume
would have been clear to everyone long ago.
Get Free is one of my personal favorites. This brother pretty much turns ETM.com into music when he spits. He speaks on issues that wake folks up, and this song has honesty seeping out its “Boom Bap” pores. Get Free tells folks to simply be you. Get out of your mental prisons and stop conforming to what others expect you to be. Do YOU. Tim’m comes face to face with his personal demons he battled that were telling him to be something other than who he truly was, and how he finally won that battle and became the brother we see today.
Raw honesty. Straight to the point truth. Positive is a song that everyone should embrace. Brother West puts his entire being on the table to be dissected by anyone who chooses to do so. He makes his meaning clear….nothing is a death sentence. Not your color, not your sexuality, not a disease, nothing. You can and will survive if you live a positive life. Look to the good things and be thankful to God for another day. This is the kind of song you turn on to start your day.
He closes out this experience with a bonus track called
Soul Mate. Proving that
there’s nothing he can’t do behind a mic, this MC/Spoken word artist sings a
song dedicated to the one he loves. The African drums and piano are infectious.
“So amazing to be loved” he croons, calling up thoughts of the great Luther
Vandross. This song makes you dance, and it makes you thankful for the love you
have and yearn for the love you hope will come.
Blakkboy Blue (s) is a must have. It’s just that simple. It touches on all of your emotions while also making you groove. In a world filled with so many pseudo bringers of peace, it’s a blessing to see someone who isn’t just making music to make money. He’s helping people. This brother doesn’t need to be told to “Wake Up”. His eyes are wide open.
To Purchase Blakkboy Blue (s) visit: www.cdbaby.com/timmwestmusic
For more information on Tim’m West: www.myspace.com/timmwest
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