According to the Chinese calendar, it’s the year of the rat. But ask Christian rapper El Prezidino about 2008 and he’ll say it’s ‘the year of Dino.’ His album title, Me or Nothing, may lead listeners to ask, ‘would I rather listen to this guy or nothing at all?’ You may lead toward nothing at first as El Prezidino does little to impress in terms of bassy beats. These aren’t ass-shaking tracks to get you crumping on the dance floor in the name of Jesus. But when listened to in the right frame of mind, El Prezidino has some legit and profound things to say about God and humanity. On the down tempo Tupac side, his social- and humanity-conscious lyrics aren’t too heavy on the church-speak. Even he admits, ‘they mad cause I don’t say Jesus every three bars.’ Sampling Jay-Z’s ‘PSA,’ Kanye West’s ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing,’ and even a sped-up version of ‘I Just Died In Your Arms,’ Dino keeps it current with his sampling along with his social commentary, which ranges from Katrina to gas prices. And just because Dino is ‘God’s voice to the people’ doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to skimp on the hater bashing. In ‘Haterz,’ which uses the ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing sample,’ Dino says, ‘haters say Prezidino acts too whirly, well y’all Perez Hilton haters act too girly.’ This sentiment, frustration with his public image and how hard it is being Dino, is reflected throughout. The album cover features Dino’s baby face in an angelic light, while the back cover displays Dino’s back as he throws up three fingers to represent 3Fingers Management and a bandana hanging out of his baggy jeans. Like a Christian mullet, El Prezidino is all Jesus in the front, gangsta flava in the back.

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