After hours of preparation and last minute logistics, Jeff Pike '04 a.k.a. Diablo, was prevented from performing at his own album release party last Saturday. You would expect to see a stunt like this on Ashton Kutcher's Punk'd; however, it was the Brunswick Police Department that shut down the action at Ladd House.
Several opening acts took the stage and rocked the crowd before the party dispersed. Some of these performers included Young Ahk and Da Lyricist (Alkhaaliq Bashir '05 and Mario L¢pez '06), and H2 (Kyle Petrie '06 and Antwan Phillips '06).
Despite the disappointment at the release party, Diablo's album Welcome To Broketown still sold over 1,000 copies in its first week. Okay, maybe not, but it's still hot! The CD is a 17-track collection of deep personality and new school soul, all written by Diablo himself.
As a lyricist, Diablo is pretty much average, yet still better than most rappers in the industry today. His approach on a track can't be beat and his clever lyrics are supported by heavy head-bopping beats. The production of the CD is superb and the arrangement of tracks could not have been selected any better. Most of the beats are produced by Nef (Stephen Saxon '99). Other producers featured on the CD are Genius (Jerry Edwards '04) and Merciless (Jared Hancock).
Many of the songs on Welcome To Broketown will take listeners deep into Diablo's hometown of Brockton, MA. He raps about the opposition he continues to face as a white rapper trying to enter the game and about childhood experiences. "Know That" best exemplifies Diablo's desire and hunger to defeat all odds: "Know that we desire fortune and fame/ And know this I would sell my soul to the game/ Know that yeah I know it's sad but it's true/ Know this if you rap I'm coming for you."
Diablo shows his aspiration in a more humble manner on the following track, "Believe": "I know that I ain't perfect but I ain't worthless/ I worked at this sh*t nonstop b**** I deserve it." The club bangers on the CD are "In The Club" and "Clap," both of which feature Diablo's partner in crime Versatyle (Ed Walker).
Welcome To Broketown is Diablo's first solo album and it is solid. He previously released a group album with Faculty Logic called Lightning Strikes which amassed large sales in the underground scene. Diablo will definitely achieve the fortune and fame that he desires from the rap game. If you still want to see him perform, then come to the Hip-Hop Show tonight at 9:00 p.m. in Morrell Lounge.