Štrajk mozga (Mind on strike) is the fifth studio album by Bosnian hip-hop star Edo Maajka, released on April 21, 2012. Edo explained in an interview that the title refers to the escape from "norms, media, parents, religion and everything else that takes you away from yourself". The first single was "Imaš li ti šta para", followed by "Panika", for which a music video was released, and the third single "Džigera beat" was released on April 19, 2012.
Development
The majority of the album, if not the core of the album was done over the internet with Edo Maajka and his producers exchanging files electronically. Edo Maajka explained in an interview that he already had some songs ready which he made with the band, but after he realized he had to do most of the album of the internet, he gave up those songs and started to select beats to work on new songs. After he assembled a lot of the beats, he started to write and work on those beats. Edo Maajka further states that after he recorded some, he got the arrangement for the song then he worked with Miro Vidović of Morris Studio over Skype to finalize the arrangement and mixing of the songs. "Basically it is a lot of mails, Skype and uploaded songs" says Edo Maajka.
Reception
Anđelo Jurkas of Hot Night HR gave the album 8 out of the 10. Furthermore, he stated that the beats from Billain, Koolade, Smak, Dasha and Goce were "superb", and that Edo Maajka with his lyrics was in a "good mood, playful, focused, sharp as the toughest days". He also adds that "Edo is an extremely sensitive individual whose verbal talents call to action, not just the current comment." As a final thought he adds "the secret of the new album as well as the previous two is keeping conviction, strength of selected topics and ways of saying, and most insist on a very diverse rhythmic patterns of the producers".
Z. Marković of the portal Terapija rated gave the album an 8 out of 10. He states that "Mind on strike," delivered a couple of really good songs. Which not only continues to confirm the title of Edo Maajka being the best rapper of in the Balkans, but also shows that Edo Maajka is in a constant search for something new, innovative and progressive. He also praised numerous song as standout and having an original sound that includes doses of dubstep and electronics, while there are those classic hip hop beats and scratches combined with guitar solos in songs like "What will they say." or the atmospheric "Sorry Sabina," which by its retro-style reminiscent of the legendary Tupac's album "All Eyez on Me" from 1996. He concludes that the strongest part of the album, as in the previous albums, is Edo Maajka's lyrics, which, when compared to other rappers sound like diaries from introverts of girls because his lyrics are authentic and original.
Benjamin Hasić of Music Zone gave the album a 3.7 out of 5. Praising the beats stating that Edo Maajka has a fine ear for good beats. He also adds that even with his 5th studio album Edo has even more to say. The author comments on Edo's talent by saying that The way he carries his ideas to listeners is amazing, flawless flow makes for a entertaining listening experience, something that most hip hop artists in our country has failed to overcome. Commenting on the overall subject of the album, Benjamin adds that as always, the main theme that runs through the whole album is a social injustice and anger that arises from this injustice. The review commented on the different beats that Edo choose for this album by saying that It is understandable that an artist wants to "grow" and develop their sound., while also commenting on the classic hip hop beats on which he has a chance to show his flow and delivery skills and he concludes the beat selection by saying that I think the Edo managed to find a middle between them wub-wub-wub surface and entertaining old school hip hop background. Commenting on the themes of the songs, Benjamin stats that not one song is on a personal level, rather that every song is at the center of attention at the global, social phenomena such as poverty, corruption, the hole in the ozone and the discontent that is woven into every aspect of public and private life of all inhabitants of the Balkan countries. and also adds that The goal of most songs is not to educate or teach us something new, but let us get going, shock and shake us, which is (at least to me) in itself a good enough goal. Benjamin concludes in his review by saying that Mind on strajk is not the best Edin project, but regardless of that fact a very solid album that is worth to buy..