Karma “Cleopatra” Jonze (@KarmaJonze)
Retro Active


I'm becoming a believer in the following statement: “2012 is gonna be the year of the female MC!” If you'll recall, I've given high praise to the mixtapes done by Bambi (BamLanta) and Ms. Bhavin (“Dumb It Down: The Patron and Lime Juice Edition”). After the bosses here at the magazine did an “altar call” for reviews, I received a link to a mixtape done by Karma “Cleopatra” Jonze titled “Retro Active”. Being that she's an unestablished (new) artist, I was interested to hear what this lady from Austin, TX had to say.


I gotta say this off the top, and I'm gonna use the lingo of my ATL brethren: Shawty Can Spit!!! I mean she is as ruff and rugged as they come...male or female. Unfortunately, the production didn't quite match her intensity. As a matter of fact, most times the tracks were quite the opposite. A lot of the tracks were laid back, R&B type tracks (which she stated she liked/wanted); however I'm extremely curious as to how her aggressive style would sound on tracks that are equally as aggressive.


As far as the music that is actually contained on the “Retro Active” mixtape, you'll find mostly freestyles. The job she did on “Love Don't Live Here” was beyond great...she pretty much summed up the feelings of a woman scorned by a cheating man. I also loved her flow on “I Trusted You”; I'm telling yall...she's an absolute beast on the mic.


Honestly the only thing that's holding her back is track selection/production. I'm hopeful that when she makes her next mixtape (and there better be a next one) she'll have the sound to match her flow. Be sure to check her out...she's definitely a star on the rise!


Best Song On The CD: “Love Don't Live Here”


Song I Enjoyed The Most: “I Trusted You” “Been There, Done That”


Overall Rating: 3.5...you did good on this one...now on to the next one


Rating System:


1—Recycle Bin
2—Could've Been
3—Aight
4—Tiiiiiiiite
5—Ri-DAMN-diculous


Reviewed by DJ KontraDikshun (@KlubKD)