Avg Rating: 
3.5 ( 11 total votes )
GemStones a.k.a. Gemini - XL (Excel)
Producer: A.J. Crew
Album: On the Road to Glory: My Story
Label: Unsigned
Despite the severity of America’s obesity epidemic, fat is an issue rarely taken seriously in popular culture – and in rap, it’s hardly ever more than a throwaway punchline. For GemStones, however, the vicious circle of binge eating and insecurity is no joke. On XL (Excel), a standout track off his latest street album, the Chi-Town native gives listeners an up-close and personal perspective on the struggles overweight individuals face on a daily basis, touching upon everything from the self-consciousness one feels in public to the fear of serious health problems, flowing over the piano-led boardwork of A.J. Crew. After painting this painful lyrical picture, however, Gem goes on to recount the diet and exercise regimen by way of which he overcame his own weight issues, encouraging those in similar situations to “Never quit quittin’.” Topped off with the guest vocals of R&B singer Sa’alek, this powerful cut and much more can be found on the former 1st and 15th signee’s On the Road to Glory: My Story mixtape, released this past Saturday and available now online.
Listen to More: GemStones a.k.a. Gemini Street, Underground, Midwest
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 8792 |
Rating:
There are very few artists who are both open about their own personal issues and at the same time are actually very talented individuals. Aside from Big K.R.I.T. and K-Beta, an artist who fits this description perfectly is GemStones. One listen to this song and instantly you feel a close connection to its artist. That is a rarity these days.
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| Posted on Aug 23, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 678 |
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Gemini, no Gemstones, no Demarco Castle, or is it actually Gemstones... no matter the name, this guy is dope. I've been listening since the Testimony. Big fan. I hope Gemstones is on the way to releasing an album.
Gemstones covered this topic completely. Exceptional job. I can't wait to hear more |
| Posted on Aug 23, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 936 |
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Pure Poetry. Listen closely. 3.5
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| Posted on Aug 24, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 31 |
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WHAT?
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| Posted on Aug 24, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 1063 |
Rating:
This song is so powerful; I’m always a fan of music with a meaning.
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| Posted on Aug 24, 2010 |
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Resident DJ |
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this track is so creative. as richard wrote in his review no one talks about this, but gemstones does it amazingly. my only criticism (albeit a minor one) is that he seems a bit soft at points, probalby just an enigneering fault. 3.5 but ill round up for originality
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| Posted on Aug 24, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 2480 |
Rating:
Reminds me of that cut on Black on Both Sides where Mos is talking about water conservation, in the sense that both Gem and Mos address issues no one else will, and make it sound dope. The beat doesn't begin to match the quality of the lyrics, but Gem's performance is so overwhelming I can't rate anything less than a 4. It's a courageous song.
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| Posted on Aug 24, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 102 |
Rating:
Solid Track. I think if you got this guy into a proper sound room he could probably go places.
Music with a message? What a concept! Puting Emotion in Music?Revolutionary! Edit: Hay Nathan, I think that song was New World Water back in 97 or 98, cant remember though, the 90's wasn't good to my brain..=/ |
| Posted on Aug 24, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 480 |
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At first I didn't think I would like the song. It turns out, I did. Very true song
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| Posted on Aug 24, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 3098 |
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isn't the background music that from "Hurt" by Christina Aguilera? good job!
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| Posted on Aug 25, 2010 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 2065 |
Rating:
The production really weakens the track, and the intro was really uncessary.
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| Posted on Sep 17, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
This track deserves a 6 out of 5
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| Posted on Apr 10, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member |
5
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| Posted on Apr 10, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member |
5
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| Posted on Apr 10, 2012 |
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