There’s no way around it, I love southern rap music. I don’t mean trap or crunk, even though I dig it in moderation, but rather that organized type of noise. When I learned about Alabama native A-Smoove, I was hoping he was an artist ready to bring some drawled up, Cadillac-made music that glorifies the Lord without falling in the trap trend (or trend trap). Let’s take a closer listen and find out about A-Smoove on Hell? No! Vol.1.

1. Wake Up: The atmosphere is set for the project right off the top as A-Smoove spits a couple cautionary tales over a smooth, “Cadillac” track. Delivering commentary on two individuals who apparently thought they had plenty of “living” to do, Smoove quickly clarifies that their path leads directly to destruction. Musically this grabbed my ear and A-Smoove’s Alabama- drawled lyrics were raw and direct. Very good opening track.

2. Ain’t No Other King: Similar to his comrade, Mouthpi3ce, A gets it understood that there are “no grey lines” in regards to the status of Christ as King. Musically, I am not a huge fan of the keyboard guitar riff sound but once the drums (specifically congo drums) get going, it helps take the edge off. A-Smoove waxes poetic on the power that Jesus holds in his hand, challenges those who believe in Christ to live accordingly, and reiterates that other “great names” are still in the grave. Strong song in spite of the small little musical note mentioned.

3. Brand New feat. D-Hall: The pace picks up a little on this track as A-Smoove puts together some trumpet sounds together with some higher energy drum programming to create a song of praise- filled reflection. A-Smoove gets a few clever punchlines in and makes it clear that he is brand new and not anywhere near where he should’ve been. D-Hall did a pretty good job with the hook, his vocals fit well with the feel of the song. Musically, I love the fact that though this is upbeat, A didn’t fall back on the trap or crunk formula. The layers of subtle sounds and switch ups that he uses will definitely lend to replay value.

4. Keep Me On: Easily my favorite song on the project, A-Smoove takes the keyboard and makes a special backdrop for poignant words. Combining the organs, layered synths, and snappy drum programming make this an easy repeat off that alone. Lyrically, A speaks on how we can only be kept/ sealed/ sustained by the blood of Christ and work of the Spirit. “...I don’t want to live this life believing I can make my own self right, (I need Christ) and I know that I just won;t last believing I can keep myself on the path.” True words spoken on this top notch track.

5. Tell The World: I love the thoughtful musical direction A-Smoove is taking on this project, matching the focused writing approach he took. Evangelism is yet again in order, speaking to the block and the lukewarm alike on this track. Besides his harmonizing ability, A threw in a nice couple of pop culture/ rock references to help bring his point home. Between the infectious hook and flute- laced production, this is another heater.

6. Just To Live: As the beat got started, I was starting to think A had his first hiccup on beat choice, but as soon as the beat dropped out and the piano came in...proved wrong I was. Taking hold of the hook with a harmony again, A speaks about being wiling to die for the sake of gain in Christ. Just as the title of the project suggests, A-Smoove takes the opportunity to make clear why he says no to hell. Smooth track, similar content as some of the earlier songs but still makes you want to listen.

7. Compromise: A-Smoove puts together a rap ballad anthem of sorts here, again showing his respectable note-holding skills. Speaking on not compromising in terms of fornication/ sexual immorality, A-Smoove gets straight to the facts and doesn’t dance around or sugarcoat the Word here. Speaking of not dancing, the quiet storm sound is in full effect here as A-Smoove’s jazzy production style continues to prove it hits jackpot. This is that song you play at clinics and teen groups just alike to get the point of promiscuity’s peril across.

8. Get Away feat. Mz. Virtue, Kingdom, & D-Hall: Or you could call this “Compromise Pt. 2”, as this unfolds the previous song in three separate scenarios. A-Smoove speaks from a general/ single male’s perspective, Mz. Virtue (skillfully) covers the view of a single female, and Kingdom handles his verse from a married man’s spot. D-Hall does better on this hook as it is punctuated by a passionate delivery. The beat seems simple at first, but it has enough change ups and sounds to keep the ear interested. Straightforward, no tiptoeing here and yet another strong song.

9. Street Life: Man, A-Smoove is on his anti-trap music for the trap right here, and I love it. Again, A employs a jazz feel to the music as he continues to tear down the idols that are held dearly by hoods everywhere. This is the type of song that can really plant a seed in even the most concrete of hearts. I thought is was cool that the hook was a bit of a reprise of the one off of “Just To Live”.

10. Pick A Team feat. D-Hall: The harmonizing between the “hyphenated” cats A and D is impeccable and the high point for this benediction. Flutes and guitars work together with the synths to create a smooth melody that has that closing credits of a movie feel. Just as it says clearly “you either cold or hot, choose a side”, period.

11. This Is The Life: A-Smoove brings us closer to the end of the album by speaking on the joy of living in Christ and not ever leaving His will. He breaks down the beauty of seeking to please Him over the world, no matter the persecution and misfit label that may result. I won’t dock points for the use of swag since he’s under the age of 27, especially since he avoided running it into the ground on the album.

12. Keep Weapons On Me: This beat here has a more militant feel to it but still maintains the smooth feel to it. The whole “bustin’ at the enemy” thing, I get but I guess my Grapetree days still has me cringing at that connotation. All that aside, this spritual warfare, battlecry type of track is definitely solid. Even though this isn’t quite on the level of the best tracks on the project, it is a solid end for what’s only the beginning for A-Smoove.

Categorical Ratings Breakdown:

Originality/ Creativity (4.5/5): There has been a stale period in southern Gospel rap for the most part, one marked by copying trends and trying to fit in molds set by the mainstream. A-Smoove sets himself up in a new mold, one that aims to reach the streets via laidback, jazzy compositions instead of 808- overloaded trapstar tracks. Add to that his unashamedly country flow, and you have someone who definitely is an original in his own right.

Lyrics (4/5): There are different types of lyricists coming from a biblical, Kingdom worldview and so this one is always interesting to cover. In A-Smoove's case, he is a throughly southern rapper who has more lyrical dexterity than some will give him credit for. Though his focus is evangelism, I think even the staunchest backpacker will appreciate some of the poetic, and punchline, gems he drops. Solid writer with pretty polished songwriting at age 24.

Delivery (4/5): Going back to my love for southern rap, a confident, passionate delivery with the content A-Smoove does is made that much better with a little twang to it. Although, there are times where it feels like his approach to each song is about the same from a cadence standpoint, his switch up of inflections help compensate. No beat overwhelms him, he is definitely in concert and control of whatever track he is on.

Beat Selection/ Production (3.5/5): This one is a tough one for me because I love the fact that A-Smoove produced every track on here and did so extremely well. Style- wise I haven't heard much that comes close to what he's doing from a musical standpoint. Firmly rooted in soul/ jazz/ easy listening, A doesn't rely on any popular formulas to make quality soundscapes. The nuances and subtle additions of sounds were great from song to song and are even more detectable each listen. With that said, the mix was not where it needed to be to pull this project as a whole into the album of the year discussion. Once I ran this in my car, I was disappointed at the lack of crispness, so that's really where I had to reduce the rating. Even so, let it be clear the sound that A-Smoove is leaning on is set on a rock solid foundation.

Concept/ Arrangement (4/5): This is not a concept album per se, more so an out and out evangelistic project. The title, Hell? No!, leads to the straightforward, no nonsense approach A took from 1st song to last on this project. The track ordering was pretty strong, there weren't an overload of features, and the project itself was not overloaded on the tracklist. Overall, the concept is a wash but the arrangement is a definite strong point of this project.

I learned about A-Smoove after a tweet, by the hardworking dude known as Mouthpi3ce, and checked a few songs of his out on the Reverb page linked below. Add in a couple guest spots on MP3's album and I knew that A-Smoove had the focus spiritually and musically to become a force for Christ's sake. Although this project has a few small areas of improvement, these are moreso oppurtinities for A to come back and hit us with some truly timeless music. This is definitely a project for the streets, the ones who don't know that they can easily say to hell, no!

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