"There is no difference.' Shakespeare was a man who wrote poetry. I’m a man who writes poetry.Why not compare yourself to the best? I’m supposed to be here to be second best? I’m not doing this for that." Jay-ZTaking on the name Shakespear is a comparison in itself. I first heard this cat at Tha Grey Matter's relaunch. Afterwards he got cosigns from his peers and people who's opinions I trust myself including the likes of fellow Jersey spitter, Soulfull. A few weeks back I was blessed to meet him for the first time in person when we and Nick Millz were guests on Podcast About Nothing.
I'd describe him as a person of eclectic tastes. You don't see many spitters with his outward appearance. He's a very humble guy when you speak to him, and quite the character when the mic gets turned on. As comical as he can be he's very serious when it's time to be. He's been toughened and hardened by a rough childhood as he describes. Instead of a cynical exterior, he's translated his experience into love and thus the dedication of this tape to his grandmother, Beatrice Collins.
I must say I missed out on this for a long time before finally hearing it a few months back. I didn't really dive in but after meeting him the question marks about his music were replaced with exclamation. He brings a unorthodox flow more similar to a spoken word or prose poet than a rapper. If you're a sports fan like myself you're going to appreciate the basketball references and analogy throughout his music. Beatrice Collins brings a complexity that's refreshing to hear from a local act. The track listing, skits, and production is intricate. I'd really love to interview him personally on the other side of the microphone one day. I'm not going to give an all out review but I must say Beatrice Collins was superb. Some of my favorite songs are For You, Entourage, and Friend Zone. Frankly, not listening to Shakespear was a mistake on my part considering I listen to everything going around these parts. Don't do what I did. Beatrice Collins is below for you consumption, I need y'all to feel this.
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