WERS 88.9 fm - Album Review: M-Dot - Money Doesn’t Own Thought

September 14^th, 2009

Boston sure does have talent, at least when it comes to emerging hip-hop artist M-Dot. If you haven't heard of M-Dot aka Michael Januario, (native of Boston's Northshore), you will because he is one of Boston's hottest underground hip-hop artists. With the release his latest street album M.oney D.oesn't O.wn T.hought (M.D.O.T.), on his own record label, EMS Productions, M-Dot gives you 23 tracks which include reflections of his life experiences and some of his salacious fantasies.

M-Dot is not new to the game; he has been lyrically spitting for eight years making an impressive mark on the local scene with the potential for national fame. M.D.O.T proves to be better than on his previous album, Neighborhood Knock, because of the tighter lyrics and head banging beats. The album also consist of collaborations with local hip-hop artists Terminology, Singapore Kane and Agallah out of New York, and he recently returned from a European tour with Bean's own Krumb Snatcha.

The first track on M.D.O.T. gives a snip-it of an interview conducted by WERS 88.9 @ Night disc jockey Jeff Duray, expressing his admiration of how M-Dot self manages his own projects, and the numerous requests for his music to be played while on-air.

"Boston (track #12)" has a smooth, jazzy sound with a female vocalist singing the chorus. M-Dot shows Boston love by calling Boston "…the place be:" Other lyrics includes shout-outs to New England's professional sport teams, and saying, "Boston comes second to none."

He also professes his destiny by stating, "You gotta show love to the place you grow up and I'm gonna show love even when I blow up." Most of the tracks on M.D.O.T. are songs that anyone can relate to like, "Never Good Enough," and "Choose To Try," where he candidly rhymes about his grind and hustle to achieve his goals. Several songs from the album take you back to the good old days when hip-hop was known as rappin' by including cutting and scratching. M-Dot is currently working on his next project, the national release of M.usically D.riven O.ver T.ime which features Edo G, Dre Robinson and several other established hip-hop artists.

M-Dot's M.oney D.oesn't O.wn T.hought is defiantly an album to add to your collection. His beats are phenomenal, his lyrics are nasty, and his speedy rhythms command your attention and leave you wanting to hear more. M-Dot's hunger and persistence to make his claim in the hip-hop industry can only lead to national recognition.

- Najya Mawasi