100 Grand Man raps here like he’s trying not to wake someone up. Not a whisper, but like a regular speaking level pushed lower—and just barely melodic. It has nothing to do with street rap’s bark, or most rap in general. It’s a bit of a switch from the more “normal” raps on 2009’s Welcome to Baltimore record, and, at least in this track, it’s unclear if the approach does that much for him. It’s less like he’s fighting and more like he’s assumed a kind of throne stance and doesn’t feel the need to be loud. The basic production is tailored to fit this delivery, all slow-building horn and synth over deep bass and drum-pad skitter. In the end, its slow swagger winds up kind of infectious, having something to do with that hush bringing out more melody in his voice—a more rolling, natural flow. The catch is that you can’t always pick up what’s going on in that flow, but it is safe to say the general gist is all in the title.

For more information visit myspace.com/official100grandman.

“So listen to my story/ God please help me/ Satan is after me/ Why me? Why me?/ I lost my job, I got no luck/ I lost my job, I lost my wife/ It’s too much!/ I pray to God today, ‘Won’t you please take me away’/ Pray my pain away/ I need Jesus/ Pray my pain away/ A-a-men, a-a-men.” This exists: DJ Johnny Blaze, club music’s reigning novelty-in-a-good-way, reimagines Rod Lee’s 2005 seminal club track as a prayer (though the original includes a plea to the Lord too). The production is kicked up and a bit more fun, with horns and squiggly samples. You definitely get the feeling that Blaze, the DJ behind the classic SpongeBob club remix, is at least half making the track for little kids. In other words, “Pray My Pain Away” comes across not as overbearing or pious, but light and even just a little funny. We’d love to hear this slipped into a mix.

For more information visit myspace.com/djjonnyblaze2009.

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