Dirty-Dirt McGurt – Hard Work & DIRTermination – Album Review | The Ark of Music – The best music in the world…you never knew existed.

The debut of his first album, First March, in 2009, blew the doors open with a smorgasbord of opportunity, which included global performances, an invite to be a regular opener in Las Vegas, and sharing the stage with hip-hop icons like Joe, Lazy Bone, Talib Kweli, and others.

Born the son of a professional bluegrass musician in the small Cajun/swamp town of Marksville, Louisiana, Dirty-Dirt McGurt (a.k.a., Ryan Barbin), taught himself how to play guitar, bass, piano, and trumpet at a young age, and would eventually attend college for dance and music production.

As of late, he’s been grinding to get his artist development and production company, IYAM Entertainment Studios, into the limelight and front-and-center with the culture. The next step in the process is the launch of his long-time-coming follow-up album, Hard Work & DIRTermination, an attitude-packed collection of tracks with a smooth & funky throwback vibe.

HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…

With a swagger reminiscent of Death Row Records’, Nate Dogg, the album opens with, La 2 L.A., a tasteful throwback-style track that bangs like late 90’s hip-hop while telling Dirty’s story of his journey from the swamps of La to the beaches of L.A. …

“I suppose infamous is better than fame. It’s got more letters, so it’s worth more points in a Scrabble game, ya know..?”

—LA 2 L.A.

An anthem for booty-calls everywhere, Call Me Casanova, features a chilled-out groove and the smooth vocal prowess of Elizabeth “Jersey DiMola.

OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
Six tracks deep, it’s totally apparent that Dirty’s flow is for real. Synth and keys lace a beat in the rather personal/confessional-style, Once Lifted Twice Shy, which documents his rise and fall a decade ago. This track has that refreshing substance we’re all looking for—musically and lyrically…

“Yeah, I found me. Finally. So profoundly, I can see. Nothing is guaranteed
Third time’s the charm, or it can be strike three, and thus is seems
Like the world is trying to break me. Like the world is trying to break me down
Three times I tried, Once Lifted Twice Shy…”

No holds barred in, DUI, where Dirty takes us through his collection of experiences with the police. Done so with humor and wit, honestly, the absence of violence and racial animosity is refreshing…

“I am most certainly aware of the nature of my crimes and no, this ain’t my first time
Maybe I do have a problem, but let’s not act like you give a goddamn about my life
So go ahead and read me my rights, and take me down to the station
Unless you’d rather stand around here talking and tell me how your day is going
I’ve got nothing but time…”

Finally, totally digging the ambient, synth-pop vibe in the first 2:16 of Samantha, as well as Flutterby.

IN CONCLUSION…

Regarding hip-hop, if there’s one thing we’ve learned at The Ark of Music, it’s this: No one is born a rapper. A quality flow takes work. You’ve either done the work—or you haven’t. You just can’t fake it. That said, with an oft André 3000-esque southern swagger in his timbre, and over a decade of true-grind in his physiology, Dirty-Dirt McGurt’s many-years-in-the-making sophomore album, Hard Work & DIRTermination, boasts a veteran vibe in both its production and lyrical delivery.

From front to back, the album plays like a tribute to the beats and the story-tellers of two decades ago, with the sonic integrity and melody creation of the modern-day. What it boils down to is old-school storytelling—with new-school production. That’s win-win, ya’ll.

WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Nate Dogg meets André 3000 with a touch of Vokab Kompany…

BELOW: Check out our full artist interview with Dirty-Dirt McGurt, listen to his album, Hard Work & DIRTermination, connect with his social media platforms, watch his music video, and find his booking & contact information. Please support Dirty-Dirt McGurt by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!