XXL's Scores
- Music
For 380 reviews, this publication has graded:
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68% higher than the average critic
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6% same as the average critic
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26% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.7 points higher than other critics.
(0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 74
Highest review score: | Life is Good | |
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Lowest review score: | Hotel California |
Score distribution:
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Positive: 260 out of 380
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Mixed: 120 out of 380
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Negative: 0 out of 380
380
music
reviews
- By Date
- By Critic Score
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- Critic Score
The end result is a body of work that pushes hip-hop in a bold new direction and puts Mr,. West back at the forefront of the culture once again.- XXL
Posted Dec 23, 2010 -
- XXL
- Posted Jul 19, 2012
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- Critic Score
Every record is both complexly arranged and sonically fitting, foregrounding Kendrick's vivid lyricism and amazing control of cadence. There's not a single loophole.- XXL
- Posted Oct 24, 2012
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- Critic Score
These verses could've fit on any of his past records or mixtapes. But the production on Mic Tyson ties them together nicely.- XXL
- Posted Nov 6, 2012
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- Critic Score
That title is the rapper’s motto for the project and he accomplishes both. Not only does he strive to become a better, more diverse artist, he definitely prospers in more ways than one as he continues to make a name for himself as one of New York’s biggest talents.- XXL
- Posted Apr 29, 2016
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- Critic Score
In stark contrast to less talented producers who enlist MCs for name recognition alone, Statik’s posse cuts are the product of thoughtful placement.- XXL
- Posted Jul 9, 2015
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- Critic Score
Ultimately, Acid Rap’s biggest victory is living up to it’s own hype and Chance’s careful packaging of his artistry.- XXL
- Posted Jun 7, 2013
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- Critic Score
The rapper, producer and crooner pulls all the stops on The Chief, resulting in a first impression that is a memorable one.- XXL
- Posted Feb 27, 2017
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- Critic Score
Nothing is forced in his rhymes; his lyricism is so dense and acrobatic that his freestyle vibe is all the more impressive.- XXL
- Posted Mar 30, 2015
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- Critic Score
Throughout, 7L can only be described as a “Rock Beast,” as he brings a consistency and ferociousness to the Czarface sound that comes off best in the track of the same name.- XXL
- Posted Mar 26, 2013
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- Critic Score
The tandem intuitively displays a concept--the grind, fame, and reconciliation--by evolving the lyrical content and changing the aural backdrops- XXL
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Seven of the ten tracks are under 3 minutes long, leaving the listener wanting more. It's as if you've just begun to take off with the jets, but the pilot is forced to make a premature landing. Even so, CC delivers, it's quality outshining its quantity.- XXL
- Posted May 20, 2011
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The sonic mood of Ambition reflects its title and author and proves, on the whole, far warmer than his debut.- XXL
- Posted Nov 1, 2011
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On Thank Me Later, he explores what it's like to have done that-to have become successful. Turns out, it's not exactly what he thought it would be. But it still sounds pretty damn remarkable.- XXL
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- Critic Score
Aside from a few problematic miscues, the majority of Mr. Wonderful can be maneuvered without the skip button in tow.- XXL
- Posted Mar 25, 2015
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- Critic Score
Fraud’s production matches his laconic delivery in a way that other producers’ work just hasn’t. This makes Saaab Stories a much more cohesive mixtape than it would have been otherwise.- XXL
- Posted Jul 25, 2013
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If their first album acted as the duo’s thesis statement, the two MCs laying out the blueprint to what they wanted to accomplish, then this second is a laser-focused execution of that idea, of never letting up and never sugar-coating their sound to fit into any particular lane. There won’t be another album that comes out this year that sounds anything like this one.- XXL
- Posted Oct 30, 2014
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Coloring Book, replete with a spiritual aura and talk with the man above, is a heavy contender for the best project released this year because it goes against the grain while still building upon hip-hop’s foundation.- XXL
- Posted May 20, 2016
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Atmosphere has never been afraid to bare everything, strip things down to their most honest form, and grow with their listeners. Southsiders is the next step in that lineage, and one that falls directly in line with their previous work.- XXL
- Posted May 12, 2014
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For all its dabbling in the black arts, Surf does have a few missteps, but they are ephemeral at best.- XXL
- Posted Jun 5, 2015
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- Critic Score
Invasion Of Privacy sounds incredibly well thought-out. The beats were strategically chosen, the lyrics and hooks carefully constructed. Invasion Of Privacy was not slapped together, yet punches anyone in the face for doubting Cardi B. The odds were stacked against her, and she won.- XXL
- Posted Apr 11, 2018
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- Critic Score
No song strays too far from the narrative or the occupied soundspace, and with each passing breath, Isaiah Rashad becomes a viable threat to leave an indelible mark similar to the one’s left by the southern rap Gods he follows so devoutly.- XXL
- Posted Feb 20, 2014
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- Critic Score
Overall, Music For My Friends is another solid offering from Skyzoo that hip-hop purists will appreciate.- XXL
- Posted Jul 7, 2015
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The seasoned MC isn't exactly saying goodbye to rap. However, whenever he does decide to hang it up, Trill O.G. will surely go down as a testament to why Bun B is one of the trillest to ever do it.- XXL
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The Infamous Mobb Deep is a must-have in a true Mobb Deep fan’s collection. Crafting such a quality hip-hop album, two decades after your magnum opus, is a remarkable feat.- XXL
- Posted Apr 17, 2014
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Regardless of whether or not the album will spawn a generation of imitators like his previous releases, Compton is a proper capstone to Dre’s legendary career.- XXL
- Posted Aug 10, 2015
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- Critic Score
The majority of Sorry 4 The Wait reinforces that he's still capable of doing this [dismantling aggressive beats with purpose and flair], even if it doesn't exactly live up to classic mixtapes in his catalog.- XXL
- Posted Aug 3, 2011
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- Critic Score
Artistically, it’s a new and deeply concentrated side of the veteran MC we haven’t seen and, as a result, it comes off as one of his best albums yet.- XXL
- Posted Jul 25, 2014
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Although it doesn’t pan out on every track, the cohesive work allows the listener to feel that they’ve plunged into the depths of Mick’s mind and come out with a soaked sense of clarity.- XXL
- Posted Aug 28, 2015
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- Critic Score
Seen It All: The Autobiography is a solid offering, and shows growth of Tha Snowman who is 10 years deep in the rap game.- XXL
- Posted Sep 4, 2014
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