Mixtape Review | Dark Nights / Bright Dreams by K-Prime & EOM

Mixtape Review | Dark Nights / Bright Dreams – K-Prime & EOM

Written By: @Josiah_Perez

Dark Nights | Bright Dreams is a cohesive mixtape that I enjoyed, there are more then a few records that have brought me back for another listen. I’m always intrigued with projects that have the vast majority or all of the production handled by one producer. While it can result in a very nice and complete sound, all eggs are placed in one basket so it can also produce a complete miss. Thankfully the production on DNBD (Dark Nights | Bright Dreams) is taken care of by a very capable producer in EOM that makes little if not any missteps. That’s not to say there are no acoustic miscues present here, right from the start of the tape K-Primes second rate singing vocals introduce themselves and are a main stay on DNBD. The other singing talents on the project, Karima Scott and Keshia Lee don’t do any better, both sounding like American Idol rejects that made it past the first round just to get sent home shortly after.

I was put off by the opening song Revelation. The horns in the beat were clearly meant to be the driving force behind the sound of this track, but they come across as lethargic and overbearing, clashing with everything else going on. This along with the poorly sung hook made it difficult to enjoy. No Margin, the second song is quite impressive as are a good number of songs on DNBD. K-Prime caught my ear with the early line “There’s no peace in sh*t talking better drop you a deuce“. Unlike the low quality of the opening record, lyrics like this are not an isolated case. Prime constantly reminds you of his position in the small group of artists that venture past the simple one-step metaphor and simile. No Margin also marks the start of a string of solid and defining production by EOM that doesn’t end until the very last record So Much More.

Nothing on DNDB is a “must skip” and in a couple of places K-Prime demonstrates a seemingly innate understanding of, to put it simply – what sounds good (You Got The Moves, Bright Knights, Nice Kicks, Out of Reach). It’s evident by the quality of the lyrics on DNBD (and by the fact Prime flat out tells us) that K-Prime is more interested in creating good music then being overly popular. If the masses are only open to simple and repetitive sounds, then K-Prime proudly does not make music for the masses. Attention to detail is very evident on this tape and can be seen even in the titles of tracks (Bright Knights, B roke. A ngry. D epressed). K-Prime shows other aspects of his personality in DNBD as well, and apparently he’s a big Jay-Z fan with more then a few nods thrown Jays way in the form of revamped lines. While I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, the production on “Too Cool” has a strong resemblance to the Dr. Dre produced Kingdom Come track “30 Something” as well.

K-Prime is not your average local artist and DNBD is not your average local project. This mixtape is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but is worth at least one play through by any hip hop fan, and there’s a good chance it will garner more then that. DNBD offers a unique sound, thoughtful lyrics and a complete concept that’s executed well.

Listen to and download Dark Nights | Bright Dreams by K-Prime and EOM