Album Review- Maino - The Day After Tomorrow

So Maino is one of the harder artists to really judge because looking at him he lacks the obvious rap skills to be a success. However, he makes up for that with reality and passion but also has the negative of being from New York at a time when only Southern rappers who have the same style can get exposure. His first album was a moderate success and this one was pushed back some but the next day has come so here is my album review for Maino- The Day After Tomorrow.



The album starts at an ending of the last album as Maino talks over the intro expressing that though he has finally made it, he isn't quite satisfied yet. This leads into "Never Gon' Stop" where Maino raps about trying to get to the next level of success. Part of this is about how his past could bring him down or his lack of typical rap skills, along with the trappings of finally seeing some success. "Nino Brown" has a nice mature track backing Maino as he talks about feeling bigger than the fictional character from New Jack City who has become the black version of the Godfather. However, the hook kind of drags and Maino cops out at the end of the second and third verses like he was in a hurry to get the song over with. Meanwhile "Need a Way Out" with Mista Raja is a throwback to before he was ever on. The beat builds nicely but the chorus could have done something to be more different.



"Unstoppable" channels the feeling of "All the Above" as Maino once again talks about pushing forward despite his shortcomings. The hook and everything works well but it sounds like more of the same. "Cream" features T.I. and Meek Millz as they rap about being about their money and this is one of the songs where Maino's lyrical deficiencies shows up more prominently. "Let It Fly" is a boring Roscoe Dash hooked composition that does nothing more than fill in on some Southern rap quota. The lead single is "That Could Be Us" featuring Robbie Novoa and is a solid quality spring single that should see some spins. "Make that Money" is another generic track that fits the normal album filler mode.

"Heart Stop" sounds like an attempt at radio smash channeling a Rihanna/Nicki Minaj-esque singer as Maino talks about the trappings of his success which include missing time with his son in order to provide for him. "Heaven For A G" isn't the best attempt at another oft-used concept by reality rappers, while "Messiah" has Maino talking about how he is trying to contribute and 'save' hip-hop, unfortunately he tries to stretch out his two and a half verses and falls short of really representing what he is best at; authenticity and realness in hip-hop. "Glad to Be Alive" is a chance for Maino to show is is thankful for being in his position now. "Day After Tomorrow" is more of the same as he tries to expound on his feelings now and the changes that went on in his life.



I will always support Maino however, on this album he tries too often to channel the success and same feeling of "All The Above" with varying amounts of success. He also doesn't reach too far into the emotional bag on this one. I enjoy hearing him talk about how his life could be but I would have liked to have seen a bigger contrast between the depths of his previous life, the trials of his current one, and more elation at the fact he is by all means successful. He shows he can pick tracks and the album is cohesive but it is too one dimensional and by the third play-through it became slightly tiresome.

Rating: 2.5/5