Mona Lisa by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz - DeepRiffs

ALBUM Explicit

Rap industry veteran Joell Ortiz sounds more focused than he's ever been on Mona Lisa, his full-length collaboration with Detroit beatsmith Apollo Brown. The album's title makes clear his ambitions to create a lasting work of art, and the album's production and direction aim for timelessness rather than trendiness. Brown's beats are laced with vinyl crackle, and they encompass choppy, heart-tugging strings, Portishead-like noir, and heavy, hard-edged boom-bap. Ortiz's lyrics similarly represent numerous facets of his personality. The slightly melancholy "Reflection" is an honest expression of Ortiz's desire to create, even as he comes to terms with the likelihood that his commercial success will probably never match his level of talent. His superb storytelling skills are in full display on cuts like the harrowing "That Place," wherein he discusses his hatred for having to spend time in hospitals, either to visit friends injured due to gunplay or to witness the birth of an unplanned baby. On "Decisions," he comprehensively considers a life of crime versus a rap career over a sorrowful cello sample and a booming beat. "Timberlan'd Up" (with Ortiz's former Slaughterhouse bandmate Royce da 5'9") has a gut-punching beat to match its sharp, cutting rhymes, and "Cocaine Fingertips" is more over the top in its offensiveness, yet it's clear that it's not meant to be taken so seriously. The concluding title track is, however; Ortiz passionately details his creative process, and his yearning for perfection. Immaculately crafted yet seemingly effortless, Mona Lisa is among both artists' best work.

1. Brushstrokes

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz

Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

2. Reflection

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz

Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

3. My Block

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz

Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

4. Cocaine Fingertips

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz

Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

5. Grace of God (feat. DJ Los)

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz, Dj Los

Featured Artist: Dj Los; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

6. That Place

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz

Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

7. Word...

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz

Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

8. Decisions

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz

Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

9. Timberlan'd Up (feat. Royce da 5'9")

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5'9"

Featured Artist: Royce Da 5'9"; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

10. Come Back Home

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz

Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

11. Mona Lisa

by Apollo Brown, Joell Ortiz

Primary Artist: Apollo Brown
Joell Ortiz; Main Performer
Composer: Erik Stephens
Joell Ortiz; Composer
Producer: Apollo Brown; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

11 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

35 minutes and 58 seconds

Explicit

Containing curse words, language, or art that is sexually, violently, or offensively oriented.

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

5/11 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

2/11 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Rap, Hip Hop, East Coast Rap, Underground Rap, Hardcore Rap, The Midwestern Basement

Label

Mello Music Group

Music Distribution Service

Orchard Enterprises Inc

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Oct 25, 2018

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

192562787434