After five studio albums and a feature on the trailer for NBA Live 2009, you would have thought that Braille would be a more recognizable name in the music culture. But still, many hip hop fans have not heard of the seasoned artist and are therefore missing out on some good rap tunes because of that fact. His sixth studio album titled Weapon Aid is a collection of songs intending to help people deal with pain, hurt, and disappointment.

Weapon Aid displays some very unique production and great lyrics. Braille includes your standard rap tunes such as "Nothing Left To Say," "Complexicated," and "Shoeless Joe." As you go deeper into the album, the music will start to move you as the words hit closer to home, pulling you into the depth of the artist's message. "Give Myself" is a great track about putting yourself second in relationships, and "Resurrection Me" has a slower piano-laced rap vibe with thought provoking lyrics about the difficulties of giving yourself, with lines like "Resurrect me, 'cuz I think I'm dead, and if not, I'm dying." Closing out the album is "Surgical" which brings the journey full circle. The beats, chorus, and lyrics stand out as completely unique. The track talks about how broken Braille is over the darker times in life, and contains lyrics such as "Sometimes you have to smell your own blood so, cut me open" that are equally moving.

Not all is great with Weapon Aid, mind you; there are some tracks that do overall lack. The beats are actually poor on "Poison" and "Up," and "Revenge" just comes off weak. All in all, however, this release is mostly good. And I would recommend it to anyone of the hip-hop genre or those who love a great underground rap style.

- Review date: 5/15/10, written by Kevin Hoskins of Jesusfreakhideout.com