Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




Playdough
Lonely Superstar



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 15 tracks: 67 minutes, 41 seconds
Street Date: October 22, 2002


Playdough. Normally when you hear of "Playdoh," you think of the salty clay that little kids play with. Allow me to introduce you to another type of play dough. The Playdough I am talking about is clay in the potter's hands, and the salt of the world. Not much difference, you say? Well I don't remember the clay I played with as a kid rapping off the hook.

The Playdough I'm introducing you to is known from his work with ill harmonics and Deepspace 5. He loves to rhyme, but instead of rapping about the common subjects among rappers these days - women and money - he raps about his lack of wealth and his reliance on God.

Lonely Superstar starts off with "You Will Listen," an acoustic track with the lyrics "We lift up Jehovah Jirah..." comprising the chorus. "Seeds of Abraham" follows, one of my favorites off of the Left Behind, Urban Hip Hop soundtrack. This is followed by "5 Cent Needleheads," more upbeat than the previous tracks, with a tight track pumping behind catchy lyrics. "Clappy Valentino" is another acoustic track, and is followed by "Shadow Dance," with a track full of horns, bass, and an awesome drum loop. Playdough follows this up with the title track, "Lonely Superstar." He laments his situation as a rapper with not much recognition, though by his performance on this record, his talent warrant much more recognition. "Lonely Superstar" is followed by "Freedom Fighters" - more guitars found on this loop, a style used many times on the disc. "Single 1" follows, a much more laid back loop backs this song, still rhythmically together on the vocals.

On to some of my favorite tracks. "Verbal Tea" has the now familiar guitar loop in the background, but is overlayed with rhymes about "crumpets and tea." "Retract the Feedback" follows, a bass-driven loop with some sweet drums and a tight chorus - "Ease back / retract the feedback / We don't need that here / rhyming crystal clear..." "Mr. Mike R. Fone" is from the perspective that the microphone keeps him company, and is a person that is too often abused by other rappers. "Soul Brothers," featuring Manchild, contains a tribute to Mars ILL and other Christian rappers. "Quarter Inchin" features a guitar-driven loop again, with rhymes about him being nearly unknown, and ends up with my favorite part of the record - a small song at the end of the track. This little ditty has a catchy chorus and tight rhymes over a phat loop - the chorus is as follows - "I was invited to a house that's divided / No, it couldn't stand, so our plan was to reunite it / And set it off / With some juice and bread for communion..." "Palm Sunday" and "Supreme Service" close out the album, complete with more rhymes and tight loops.

I have to admit that Playdough is one of the most talented rappers in the Christian industry, maybe the most talented. However, he is overlooked by many people. Lonely Superstar could hold more variety as far as the type of loops go, but he has a solid album in the end. If you like hip-hop with a little old school flavoring, I'd recommend buying this album and giving it a listen - you might find yourself a convert.

- Review date: 2/9/03, written by Colin Ake



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

Worldwide

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: UpRok Records
. Album length: 15 tracks, 67 minutes and 41 seconds
. Street Date: October 22, 2002
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. You Will Listen
  2. Seeds Of Abraham
  3. 5 Cent Needleheads
  4. Clappy Valentino
  5. Shadow Dance
  6. Lonely Superstar
  7. Freedom Fighters
  8. Simple 1
  9. Verbal Tea
  10. Retract The Feedback
  11. Mr. Mike R. Phone
  12. Soul Brothers
  13. 1/4 Inchin
  14. Palm Sunday
  15. Supreme Service
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
Hope Through Grace John 20 EP [Southwest Hardcore]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Kresher The Adventures of Sylas Spin EP (independent)
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
mewithoutYou Live (Vol. One) (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
nobigdyl. nobigdyl. Unplugged, Vol. 1 [indie tribe]
Josiah Queen The Prodigal (Deluxe Edition) (independent)
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 1 [Thumper Punk Records]
Various Artists Sunshine Acres Benefit Compilation, Vol. 2 [Thumper Punk Records]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Paul Demer Let All Things Now Living - Single (independent)
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Happy Powers Garden Song - Single (independent)
Sam Hauge Fame You Can Buy - Single (independent)
Hollyn & Weathrman Trees - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter - Single [Rise Records]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
The Myriad Time - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ravenhill The Shakes - Single [Honey Gold Records]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Scapegoat Solace (feat. MajesticGhost) - Single (independent)
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images