For What It’s Worth is an exceptional album that features some of the best lyrics ever delivered. Hasani Lateef is a powerful, intense, talented, diverse, hard hitting artist that dazzles fans easily with his arsenal of pure, unmatched skills. The high degree of temperature never ceases for a second through this ten (10) song album. All songs are incredible, and well deserving of undivided attention & mandatory listening. For what its worth, this album is a gem that will always shine.
“For What It’s Worth” is Hasani Lateef’s freshman solo debut. Fans recognize Hasani Lateef as the energetic lyricist that made up one half of the hip hop duo “Reborn Soldiers”. The other half of the duo was Lee Majors who makes some brilliant cameo appearances on “For What Its Worth”. “For What Its Worth” is a path into the violent, yet poetic mind of a journalist named Hasani Lateef.
The album begins by introducing Hasani Lateef via a song titled “Crystal Clear” featuring Uno vs All. The song is a great opening track, and does a great job at introducing fans to Hasani Lateef’s abundant skills. The song is rather mellow, backed by a beat that turns ear’s deaf when ceased. Hasani Lateef’s lyrics are strong, dominant, intense, and powerful. His raspy voice is commanding & attention grabbing. Fans truly recognize the talent, and the strong song writing abilities. “Never Thought I’d Be A G” is the next song in the mix. This song is solidified with an incredible beat that dazzles fans easily. The rhyme content & message is on point with a topic fans can easily relate to, and feel. The lyrics are very well delivered, and equally as impressive. This is music that isn’t just heard – it’s deeply felt. The album continues with an array of incredible songs, and music that equally impress with beats, production, and lyrics. Out of the ten song roster, there isn’t one song that’s undeserving of full listening attention. There is no filler material, no weak interludes, intro’s, or outro’s on this album.
The most notable songs on the album include “Stella By Starlight”, “Lifeline” featuring Lee Majors, “Legends Of Old”, and “Shotti In The Trunk”. There is a song for everyone, and each song has its own emotion that strikes through fans as their ears process each sound & word. The music is diverse without being too diverse that fans get drowned out. The most powerful song and the leader of the pack is “Legends Of Old”. The song is so powerful in both beat and lyrics that most fans will truly be touched deep inside on the first listen, of course, while their head is continuously nodding. It’s hard for anyone not to feel a song of that magnitude. One of the strongest points to this album, besides the fact that everyone song is solid, is the fact that Hasani Lateef say’s a lot in his music that fans can relate to. Too often do fans register words that sound cool, and mean nothing in songs, but Hasani has many messages that he delivers in his music which elevate the songs another notch. BAMMM.. Emeril would be proud. One of the albums singles, “My Queen to Be”, is a soldiers love ballad to his life-long partner and future wife. The debut single, “Never Too Late”, packs a dirty south bounce illustrating a story of a stormy night in the jungles where the listener is hunted. This is definitely powerful music that imprints imagery on the mind that is not easily forgotten.
The production on this album is nothing short of amazing. Respect & props need to be given out to Uno, Bless, James Flames, and DJ Biz for their mouth watering contributions. All songs were mixed at Backburner Studios in Greenbelt, Maryland. Each song on “For What Its Worth” is backed by one of the best beats you’ve never heard.
Hasani Lateef is incredibly talented. This album is a demonstration of his skills. Hasani doesn’t play with the microphone; he pounds fans on the head with it while he beats his lyrics into their mind. It’s hard not to listen to the words – Hasani dominates his songs which makes him someone fans recognize. It’s incredible when fans listen to a song and feel the words on the first round, it’s even more incredible when fans get hit with a first round TKO by a beat that is extremely explosive, and fans still feel & hear each and every word. Hasani is an excellent song writer, and extremely strong in his delivery. His articulation and flow is a breath of fresh air & always on point.
The album artwork is average, and unfortunately, this is where artists & labels sometimes fail. Fans want to read more about artists, and their music. If fans like the CD, they will read about the artist, and the songs in the jacket. Unfortunately, this album is packaged in a bland cover that doesn’t really do justice in introducing Hasani Lateef to fans. Fans are the people who buy the music, love it, nurture it, and grow it — more than anything fans need to be informed. The artwork on the album is creative, but it could use some more eye appeal to catch more attention on store racks. Fans might pass over this gem due to its lack of eye candy. It’s always a mistake to judge a book by its cover – but it’s done all the time.
“For What It’s Worth” is worth full listening attention. This album is mandatory listening. Hasani Lateef will impress beyond expectations. This album will become a keystone release in any fans collection. Hasani Lateef will become a name in the realm of hip hop that will not soon be forgotten.
Track Listing
1. Crystal Clear
2. Never Thought I’d Be A G
3. Mercy Mercy Me
4. Stella By Starlight
5. Lifeline
6. Legends Of Old
7. Never Too Late
8. Street Slang
9. My Queen To Be
10. Shotti In The Trunk
