ALBUM REVIEW :: MC COOL WHIP’s Cool Whip Recipes
I have been observing nerdcore hip-hop for some time now, and I’ve noticed a somewhat steady divide on the definition of what is “good nerdcore.” It basically boils down to the nerdcore vs. hip-hop argument: do you prefer something more nerdcore than hip-hop or vice-versa? Truth be told: I prefer the nerdcore over the hip-hop. I want to hear something unique and genuinely “geeky.” There are those out there that pretty much BAG on nerdy rappers that try to do their own thing if it means sounding less street, and that’s something I just can’t agree with. Don’t get me wrong: I am a staunch supporter of artists like Dual Core, MegaRan, or (of course) YTCracker, who definitely have a rich hip-hop feel to them, but they stand out for me because, though they seem to pull strongly from “conventional” hip-hop for their stylistic inspiration, they rap about nerdy topics not because they’re trying to seemingly “fit in” but because that’s WHO they are.
I preface my review of MC COOL WHIP’s recent release with this to let you know where I stand in the unwritten argument of nerdcore. If you turn to nerdcore because you are hoping for something that is more or less hip-hop with the occasional nerdy references, you may not enjoy this album as much as I did. However, if you are actually interested in someone’s experimenting in what nerdcore can be, then read on.
I guess I should ALSO forwarn that I am a bit of a supporter of the young WHIP. I’ve been listening to (and critiquing) demos since 2007, happily opened my home as a place to crash for two Nerdapaloozas, and artisted (Editor’s note: Hex likes to make verbs out of non-verbs and out of annoyance I left this one in. HA!) his two most recent album covers, so that may lead you to believe that I am more biased than the next reviewer. You would be correct. However, my bias won’t be expressed as lauding incorrect praises upon this young rapper, instead I give you a bit of a case study of how he has progressed over the years as an artist. I am not of the opinion that coddling will help someone improve. I see COOL WHIP as someone who is still developing as an artist and a performer, so until he has found his final niche, it’s actually my duty as someone in his corner to not pamper him so that he can grow.
If COOL WHIP’S time in the scene was his study into nerdcore, Cool Whip Recipes would be his thesis. His VERY rapping style has been both his most appealing trait and his darkest of cardinal sins according to the two camps of nerdcore. Obviously influenced by MC Frontalot‘s unorthodox style, COOL WHIP raps with a pronounced and seemingly stiff flow (as contradictory as that may sound) and it’s DIFFERENT! It was COOL WHIP’s rejection of standards of hip-hop in his style and subject matter alongside his enthusiasm that fist endeared him to me. I feel that the album has shown how much he’s grown since then, gaining confidence and showing certainty that his style is that: HIS.
The album showcased an array of collaborations, from the spellbinding Schaffer the Darklord in the Faustian Sick Skills to the unfortunately distracting Grizzly C on You’ve Been Bitten. What Do I Do?, the first horror/love song I’ve ever thoroughly enjoyed (or heard for that matter). COOL WHIP stayed pretty consistent throughout the album and the collaborations sometimes helped and sometimes hurt the track. I will also admit that I braced myself before listening to the album, expecting mediocrity, but was pretty impressed by All Around Awesome and was glad to see my favorite track from The Man Cave make it onto the album (Welcome to Ohio).
CONCLUSION: 3.9/5.0
I think that MC COOL WHIP has truly outdone himself with this album and that he’s on a path to his own style. I don’t feel that he’s fully discovered his final sound, but he has grown confidence that what he’s doing is right, and that’s a good direction. This album is worth what he’s charging for it, as the bulk of it is truly enjoyable. As I’ve said, if you’re not into trying out an unorthodox sound to hip-hop you may not find this enjoyable, but if you’re looking for a unique rap experience that travels into space, the zombie apocalypse, and a high school essay on why you’re proud of your state, than this is definitely worth a listen.
For a LIMITED time offer, MC COOL WHIP has offered Cool Whip Recipes to you for half price! All you have to do is go to his Bandcamp Page and put in the promotional code of coolbeans, and you’ll get the album for only $5! 
Back in December, we started our 
This week, we discuss with Brian the dangers of drinking the water in Italy, the new video games (including a trial of the brand new Super Mario game, which apparently doesn’t suck), and interviewed 
