Thug Life Army

Most times when hip-hop and rap albums are reviewed, there can tend to be a little bias towards the artist; depending on where the reviewer lives.

East Coast reviewers will review East Coast artists differently than they do West Coast artist, and vise versa; we all can see that in the reviews.

There is a gangsta rap artist, Gat Murdah, out of Bedford Stuyvesant - Brooklyn, New York who has just released an EP, “Murdah Iz Da Streets: The 1st Degree.” The EP consists of 6 tracks to be followed by an full length album in 2007.

The sound is fresh and we decided to give a well rounded review of Gat Murdah’s work and talent, we would give the EP to a few of the staff from different areas and see their reviews and get an International review point rank on this EP. To get that we will add the point ranks up from each different review and give the average.

Hip-hop and rap artists need to be noticed for their talent and to take one review and say that is how it is, in many cases is not the thing to do. We wanted a truthful and well rounded review of rap artist Gat Murdah.

THA ZOO Records, a Connecticut hip-hop record label is behind the release of the EP from controversial Brooklyn gangsta rap artist, Gat Murdah. The EP, entitled “Murdah Iz Da Streets: The 1st Degree,” became available nationwide on April 1, 2006.

Gat Murdah, who hails from hip-hop’s famous Bedford Stuyvesant - Brooklyn, New York, the same neighborhood as late legendary rap artist Notorious B.I.G. and hip hop mogul and rapper Jay Z, is gaining attention for his distinct aggressive sound and controversial lyrics. So let’s get to the reviews and see how Gat did.

Internationally: with an average of all the reviews Gat Murdah “Murdah Iz Da Streets: The 1st Degree,” received a 3.7 out of 5.

West Coast Staff Member Gza Genius

Average Score for Gat Murdah EP - 3.2 / 5

Gat Murdah - "Murdah iz da streets - the 1st" – Hip-Hop / Rap Album Review

This EP was my first time hearing Gat Murdah, being from the west coast i could tell right away that he was from NY (not a bad thing).  The gritty style that NY is known for come's out in Gat, who is a native of Bed Stuy in Brooklyn. He's not gonna blow you away with lyrical ability, but he definitely keeps you listening with his raps on this ep.  The beats weren''t really doing it for me, but I always give an honest opinion, and with a little work I think Gat will really be able to show what he can do.

1) Get a Gat 3.5/5

This was my favorite track on the ep. I was feeling the overall vibe from the beat to the lyrics. It's a darker song that brings you the reality of life in Brooklyn, and he keeps it moving.

2) It's gettin hot 3/5

This track has a catchy hook, the beat is nice and Gat displays his ability to keep the lyrics street, but bring a club vibe to the track.

3) You scared (skit) 5/5

This skit's pretty funny, dude let's off a couple rounds and scare's his unknowing friend who get's shook when the shot's go off.

4) Respect my gangsta 2/5

I wasn''t really feeling the repetitive sound on this track, the beat was kinda blank, but Gat still came hard with his raps.

5) Stomp 3/5

Gat speeds up his flow a little bit on this track which was a nice switch. 

The beat was pretty good, and Gat put together a nice one.

6) Let's go 2.5/5

Again, Gat held his own on his verse's, but i wasn''t feelin the beat, it might be the west coast bias, but don''t let that hold you from checkin it out.

If ur a fan of NY rap, u''ll definenlty want to check Gat out. He's got a lot of potential and this was only his first ep, he's got alot of time to improve and change minds of any doubter's.  A good quality he showed was he can put together a track, and not just throw some verse's down, that’s a skill not all rappers have.  For a first release u can''t complain about the quality, he put a nice ep together.  And even though the beats weren''t doing it for, I’m expecting Gat to keep it moving and I’ll definitely check out his First LP when it drops.

UK Staff Member John

Average Score for Gat Murdah EP – 3.8 / 5

Gat Murdah - "Murdah iz da streets - the 1st" – Hip-Hop / Rap Album Review

Tha Zoo Recordz Presents……

Gat Murdha – “Murdha Iz Tha Streets – The First Degree”

EP Track Listing

1.         Get a Gat (4/5)

2.         It’s Getting Hot (3.5/5)

3.         You Scared (skit) (5/5)

4.         Respect My Gangsta (3/5)

5.         Stomp (3.5)

6.         Lets Go (4/5)

It happens like a fresh of breath air when some original rap music comes onto the block. The block we are talking about is Bedstuy Brooklyn , New York.  The artist is Gat Murdha. He is signed to Tha Zoo Recordz label. Coming up from the same hood as rappers Jay-Z and The Notorious BIG, the streets are talking that this MC is going to blow up big.

Gat Murdah has just released an EP with tracks available for download, the website being, www.thazoo.com. There are five tracks on the EP that show the skills that Gat Murdah has applied to his music. Known for his aggressive style and delivery there is a lot of heat circling around this new young rapper.

The EP opens with the track “Get a Gat”, a stomping bass drum thunders throughout the track and a chorus that would fit perfectly in The Omen film. He utters words of what weapons are on the streets, a real street, gritty track that would sound good in any Cadillac Escalade with the rims spinning. 

The second track “It’s getting hot” immediately sounds sinister, tales of sexual encounters riddle through the verses, the chorus “It’s getting’ hot, so make it pop, and don’t you stop, ‘cause I like it like that” echoes through the speakers.

“Respect my gangsta”, a message to all, respect what Gat Murdah is about, or feel the wrath and repercussions. He continues to lay it down low, of exactly what Gat Murdah is capable of. Again heavy bass drums and a Dre esque piano make this track add fire to the lyrics.

The final track on the EP, “Lets go” again tales of violent surroundings, encounters on the grimey streets of Brooklyn.  “I rock concerts, I heavy metal the crowds, been married to the streets, you just settling down.”

Let me make this clear this is not something you will see on MTV, your six year old daughter will not be giving it a listen. This is a street record, tales of harsh brutality, hustling and overcoming the difficulties of urban life. Gat Murdah, paints a picture of what life has been like for him and with the use of lyrics brings a shocking reality that we should all take notice of.  The album is due to be dropped in 2007 and I can honestly say that I am excited about this project.

Visit Gat Murdah at www.thazoo.com for the latest downloads and info.

Site Admin. & Staff Member Robert. Hails from the Mid-West

Average Score for Gat Murdah EP – 4.1 / 5

Gat Murdah - "Murdah iz da streets - the 1st" – Hip-Hop / Rap Album Review

1. Get a Gat – 4.5/5

This is my favorite track off the EP. Has a good gangsta feel to the beat and the flow. Nice song to ‘roll’ with. The beat is a little over powering but it is track that is real talk and can be felt by many.

2. It’s Getting Hot – 4/5

Nice beat. A lil club, a lil street. The lyrical talent of Gat compliments this strong beat and Gat does a great job not being over rode by the beat.

3. You Scared (skit) 5/5

I love skits on albums. Ya feel like your just hanging and then well ya got ta hear this one. Dude buggin and that’s real there – a big LOL.

4. Respect My Gangsta 3/5

Great lyrical flow from Gat, but the beat is wrong for the track. No diss on the production team on this album. Because even this beat is tight but not for this track. Twisted and flipped this could be a hot track, but lyrically Gat carries this track, just not as strong of a track as it could be.

5. Stomp – 4/5

Like the flow Gat puts down. Good to hear music like this again. The entire EP is a great change from what we are being feed lately.

6. Lets Go – 4/5

The beginning should have been done by a female gangsta rapper. The hook would be tight by a ruff female. Gat has great flow. That is apparent all thru out this EP. I think experimenting with a ruff female on this one would be to nice and top it off to a total 5. Gat’s flow is nice and tight.

This is one album that I am looking forward to. In a time when hip-hop seems to be so stale, this EP is refreshing and is a teaser to the LP which should be hot – so don’t forget that name Gat Murdah. This EP is not east or west coast it is truly just Gat Murdah and it’s great to hear.

So opinions vary but as you can see it is above average in quality and content. Give it a listen and make up your own mind and watch for the full length Album due in 2007.

Gat Murdah is opening for hip-hop artist Method Man in May at the Webster Theatre in Hartford, and will be performing at the 2nd Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival on June 24th, 2006.

Seems Bedford Stuyvesant - Brooklyn, New York has turned out another hit maker – so watch for Gat Murdah on THA ZOO Records and ‘Get a Gat’.

Related article HERE.