Straight out of Wells, Maine, this is an album of local rappers from the most unlikely state in the nation. “We Smoked It All” is Cam Groves’ first CD of his own, with help from the up-and-coming dopest rapper in Maine, Ryan “Spose” Peters.
Spose and Groves have been rapping since high school in their cars, at parties and at school talent shows. The practice paid off when Spose found out he was nominated the “best hip-hop artist” in Maine for both 2008 and 2009, according to the WePushButtons awards held in Portland.
These guys are the unfound Asher Roth’s of Maine, with better rhymes and flow. Spose made a song which can be found on “Preposterously Dank” titled “Drugs, Girls, Money & Liquor” years before Asher Roth made his hit single “I Love College.”
If you go to Wells, chances are Spose’s freshman CD “Preposterously Dank” is bumping in cars of people 22 and under. This mix tape will quickly replace it.
Many of the songs relate to Wells and / or Maine in general. Titles such as “A Dude Named Spose,” “Wells Maine in the House” and “I’m Awesome” grace this CD and can be used as introductions if you have never heard of Spose or Cam Groves. Spose and his band “The Danks” are not new to the Orono scene. They came last year to play two shows, and they will be back on this college campus.
Many people might laugh or at least smile when they hear of a rapper from Wells, Maine. Think again. The flow and lyrical content in this mix tape will make you become a firm believer. Many people are attracted to these guys because they are relatable. They do not mask themselves to be “thugs” or anything else they are not. They know they are white, they know they live in Maine and they rap about it — and they do it better than anyone else.
“Look at spizzy Spose / he thinks he’s so cool / look at his wrists and lack of necklace with no jewels.” Spose and Groves know they aren’t flashy and don’t make up stories of luxuries and living the high life.
The second song, “Wells Maine in the House,” starts out by Spose singing, “I’m comin’ straight outta Wells / a paranoid nerd named Spose / my parents still annoyed / I live high, aim low,” recreating the “Straight Outta Compton” flow from N.W.A. Many Maine references are scattered throughout each song, which is what fans love so much about the duo.
If you get offended by lyrics about recreational drug use, please avoid this album. Groves and Spose tell it how it is. These guys don’t hold back whatsoever. In “Still Preposterous” Spose states, “On stage drunk / flat out rude / when there’s ice storms here / we get blackouts too / next to Vermont / we’re the smokiest around / clam buckets, green nuggets / up in copious amounts.”
Groves sings, “Every time I’m laying down a track / I get towed up like I was laying on my back / We can rap in Maine / It ain’t hard to do / Still no grill (nah) / Just a barbeque,” in the same song.
Groves and Spose vocally compliment each other. Spose’s voice is upbeat and in your face. Groves is more chill and could be compared to Roccafella’s Cam’ron. They are opposite, which makes them a collaboration to be talked about for years.
The single from “I’m Awesome” is currently getting play on Q97.9 and WCYY, based out of Portland.
This CD is funny and phenomenal. Perhaps some lyrics may be inside jokes that only Wells people understand, but if you know Maine and particularly Southern Maine, you will get the gist. The CD can be enjoyed by all who appreciate local rap, underground rap and true lyrics.
Grade: A












