DLabrie: MR. NETW3RK

DLabrie is a pretty eclectic dude as far as MCs go. Despite being raised in the midst of East Bay, aka Hyphy Nation, DLabrie is difficult to pin. After all, he’s been a major player in the development of the non-profit Hip-Hop Congress, along with other community-minded and socially aware groups like Hip-Hop Chess Federation and S.A.V.O.Y. This diversity in his identity is apparent in his debut LP, MR. NETW3RK, which spans thematic topics ranging from club nights to typical backpack rap consciousness. Unfortunately, this doesn’t equate with mic skills, as DLabrie exhibits for all of us. His rhymes are more than unforgettable, you just straight up don’t even pay attention to them. Of course, this might also have something to do with his bland delivery, or maybe it’s the wonky, makeshift studio production. Not even his diverse array of guest spots from fellow hyphy MC Mistah FAB to M-1 of Dead Prez save this unremarkable release. It’s too bad, because DLabrie does good work… just not in the studio.