50 cent had it all last year, respect from the listeners, respect from the rappers, million of dollars he even went 10x platinum with his debut album ‘Get rich or die tryin’ He is now back with ‘The Massacre. This being his make or break record 50 Cent would have to make sure this was flawless. So did he do what he went out to do and massacre the rest of the charts or massacre his career?

To begin with the intro we hear 50 mimicking the Valentines days massacre original done by real life gangsta Al Capone. Can you already taste the corniness? Can ya? Can ya? Then the first song drops and it’s really quite nice to listen to begin with. Over a really dark and sinister beat 50 cent raps about his typical thing him and most of his G-unit does and that is brag and tells stories about him being “In My Hood”. In all 50 cent just tells you the do’s and don’ts in ‘the hood. After that you notice it’s the same with most of the g-unit albums and that is boring rhymes and dope production. Maybe the second song will be a shining light of hope. And the answer is……NO. “This is 50 while is has a nice beat just like “In my hood” you can only sit back and listen to it and notice it is the same as “What up gangsta” from GRODT without the really addictive hook attached. Then I saw “I’m supposed to die tonight” on the track listing and thought maybe a paranoid 50 looking over his shoulder and stuff like that and from the hook which is nice I thought yes! But after the hook you hear nothing that new from “Many Men” where he brings up his grandma house maybe a flash back on the time he was shot 9 times. Over a good production from Eminem with violins giving it a atmosphere like the one I thought he would be rapping over instead he raps about how someone going to die either him or the enemy. Shame as this won’t be notice for Eminem superb production but will be disrespected due to 50 cent.

Then hits the anticipating diss, which is aimed towards a lot of NY MC’s “Piggy Bank”. First you hear the hook which is terrible. The rest is pretty average disses towards the NY MC’s which he says at the end is warning shots. The production is really good as well on this. Produced by Needlez which originally helped Young buck with the hit “Let me in” he creates a dramatic feel with opera requiem and the nice electronic bass. This maybe one of the 4 reasons why people would even think of buying this record. The other 3 being his 3 singles. “Disco inferno” which he trys to recreate the magic of the club hit “In Da Club” but it doesn’t even with the production he has it just isn’t that good. The other two, both being the man at the moment with mainstream hit’s Scott Storch “Candy shop” which also includes Olivia 50’s new member of g-unit and“Jus a lil’ bit”. Both of these are Sex raps where they misplaced words with dirty and awful puns like “I’ll melt in your mouth and not in your hands” which will get any teeny boppers dancing to it and all the girls idolizing the fact this may be them. This seems to be 50’s new market as he has many songs love and sexual topics something he dissed Nas earlier for. Also on his last album GRODT he had “21 questions”

The album is split on either Sex or violence which isn’t a very clever formula to be truthful. 50 kind of warned us by saying it was going to be his most sexual record. With songs like “So amazing”, “God gave me style” and other stomach turning topics, unless you have a ***** and a pair of tits I don’t think your male hormones will be able to take it. Even the production is piss poor on these records. “Get in my Car” where he brags about his status and how many women he can get and disrespects them with the hook this is the same rapper which earlier or later talks about loving them and treating them right. I hate contradicting people!

Where was the magic which was on the last record? Well it obvious being tried but isn’t working. One pro comment I give it is that the featuring in down to it lowest and production from Eminem and Dre is down maybe trying to go at it alone. Dre does only two songs and both of them really good but again 50 brings them down. Eminem only produces only 3 songs and appears on one. “Gatman and Robbin” oh what a clever name but song wise I kind of like. The production sounding like Batman theme from Eminem, this song where 50 and Em talk about how they relationship is like and how they would do all kind of stuff for each other. Eminem flows right to the beat on this one and gets even more credit from me for it and outshines 50 easily. “Hate it or love it G-unit remix” has all of the g-unit on this song trying to recreate the magic from Game’s better album. They all rap kind of good but Young buck impresses me the most. 50 cent could of at least had done a new verse like Game about his love for his group or how and why they could hate him (please no lists needed). “My toy soldiers” which features Tony Yayo a look it’s Yayo out of prison and he rapping to get more credibility and production from Eminem and like most of his production is it is 100% recognizable. The worse thing is the title. Like toy soldiers was a big hit for Eminem and he trying to get the fame of him by changing the title but it’s disgusting. He does this throughout the record with lines like “drop it like its hot” which is referring to Snoops big hit. A lot of mainstream rappers like Cam’ron, G-unit ETC are doing this a lot in rhymes. This isn’t the hip-hop I feel in love with firstly as a kid on Skater thrash and destroy soundtrack with people like Run DMC and Public Enemy and later on with people like DMX, Ice cube ETC!!!

There are some positive songs to name which I haven’t said already if I did. “A Baltimore love thing” where he puts him in the shoes of a drug and his lover is an addict and how their relationship goes on with a kind of nice thing. The beat is good as well. “Ski mask way” even tho I don’t feel the beat matches the thuggery inserted. “ I don’t need Em” is also a good song even tho the beat is probably the most used ever in hip-hop since the Wu-tang arrived. The lyrics are about how he always get blamed and how disloyalty comes up with the hood.

In all this gets a 1.5/5 maybe a 2/5 at its best. I don’t recommend anyone to buy this record I would download it and sort out your favourite songs. Buy “Get rich or die trying” as that is more worth your hard earned cash. I would even recommend Lloyd banks album before this one and that was boring as *****!

In all he doesn’t even out the production with different types and doesn’t cover all topics possible. You think yeah this may be bad but what about the mainstream what about them aren’t they going to be claiming it is the Shizz! My answer to you is NO! I know two kids which are big into mainstream hip-hop and when I handed them my Cd or the link to them they were like” WTF Bullitt isn’t there any good songs except the ones out!” So not only the women and the kids will be wetting their pants.

This is clearly a Massacre of 50’s career.

1. Dont Fight The Intro 

3 min intro, too short raps a little in the beginning, pretty good flows and lyrics, but just for a quik second. later he talks about his peoples, his label and what he is up to. so this is just an intro but if anything 3/5.

2. I’m A Player

GREAT track right here, one of my favorites. no features, straight up HEAT by the one and only Too Short. his flows are amazing, and hes right with the lyrics. and a good beat too provided by Ant Banks, and the dangerouse crew. 5/5 easily.

3. Just Another Day

Real Nice track, short rips it, tells a great story about his everyday life in the streets of Oakland. his flows are pretty good as always, his lyrics are great as well. a nice old school beat as well prodced by the dangerous crew. a great song just to listen to when you want to relax. 5/5

4. Gotta’ Get Some Lovin’

FAVORITE TRACK, jesus what a awsome track, another ‘Short SOLO. OMG his flows are incredible on this and especially his lyrics. love this track man, cant get bored. 100 PERCENT pure pimpin’ this track shows what too short is all about. “Gimme Head While Im Doin’ Bout 90 Biyyyatch” 5/5 EASILY

5. Money In The Ghetto 

Pretty cool track, real old school kinda beat to it. another solo from short, shorts lyrics arnt as good as the others on this one, but flows are always right. and a great hook. 4/5

6. BlowJob Betty 

An OK track from Short, talks about a ***** about Betty, long track kinda boring if ya ask me. not really feelin it, the beat ruins it all, but short got a good story with nice lyrics. 3/5

7. All My *****es Are Gone Ft. Ant Banks

a slow beat, short raps slow, real nice tho, alotta pimp shit, ANT BANKS is in this. truly he saves the track, good flows, his lyrics catch up to him at the end of this song. 4/5

8. The Dangerouse Crew Ft. Spice 1, Ant Banks, Mhisani and Pee Wee 

Real Nice track man, Beat is raw short starts it off with short real nice flows and lyrics. too short shines them all on this, but everyone keeps it right. Good track man fasho. 5/5

9. Get In Where You Fit In

A GOOD beat, Second fav track on here. Pee Wee Is the Narrator i think, what a great track, Too Short disses MC “whats his name” lol again. he hits him hard on this one, great flows and especially lyrics. keeps it right throughout the whole track. 5/5

10. PlayBoy Short* 

Great song, disses all the playa hataz. how he started the game, keeps it right. piano kinda beat, nice flows, lyrics are average. 4/5

11. Way To Real 

A GREAT beat, more newish then the others. Raps Quik, a good pace, how he lives, he keepin it real. good story. puts in alot of tips in for people. good flows and lyrics. 5/5

12. Its All Good

Pretty nice track, talks about a ***** who keep calling him LMAO. he getting sick of her, and shit. GREAT GREAT GREAT hook. a real nice track, short spits nice, and slows are on point. pretty nice no doubt. 5/5

13. Oakland Style Ft. FM BLUE, and Ant Banks 

great speach at the beginning. talkin bout that Oakland Shit yadidmean. shouts out RICHMOND in this (Pee Wee). one of the BEST track in tha whole album. talks about the city of oakland, FM BLUE starts it. great track witha awsome beat. short Rips it as well. FM blue > short on this one tho. 5/5

Like any other Too Short fan, or even a plain rap fan, they would give this Album a 5/5 Classic easily. this is my favorite Too Short album, some debate this or Gettin’ It. gettin it is a close second no doubt but Get In Where You Fit In Is Classic. MUST BUY, PLEASE CHECK IT OUT.

This is Canibus 6th album to be released but most of this material was wrote between 2000 B.C. And C True Hollywood stories but money problems was the cause of such a late release and now I suppose it is a clever tactic as everyone is waiting for his return Hip hop for sell from releasing the dope Rip The Jacker. When listening to this you must remember this was wrote ages ago and was his and Ricky Lee attempt for an independent label and this is his attempt ti write deep lyrics from his typical battle raps. I’m going to give this score which first come into my mind.

1.33 3’s (4/5) 

This is a pretty good way to begin the album. Canibus does a sequel to Jay-z’s 22 twos with 33 3’s. On this record he bases everything around the number 3 and shows his creativity. The song doesn’t make sense althogether but it’s cool. The beat is quite uptempo which is made of this piano/keyboard instrument and Canibus flows well. In all good way to begin the album. The not making sense lowers the mark.

2. Canibus man. (5/5) 

I love the guitar in the background gives this an aggressive feel. You can hear scratching of his famous 2nd round knockout. This is really a typical Bis battle rap song which proves how great he is. The hook is alright pretty simple tho. This is pretty dope.

3. Atlanta. (3/5) 

The beat is nice on this one but yet lyrically this isn’t Bis at his best. He spits about how he love Atlanta yet isn’t he from New York? Nevermind about that tho he spits stereotypical stuff of a south rapper and even gives himself a south flow like Lil’ Flip about how. Like CTSH I think this is Canibus trying to be clever by chucking irony in it. Pretty average

4. Gybaotc (4/5) 

The beat is pretty alright but the drums I hate as they sound like a typical club shit which I don’t like tho the violin type of instruments and the guitar loop is pretty good. The lyrics are about strip clubs and are bearable if it was a different rapper but yet again it irony which doesn’t drag this down. The hook is pretty funny tho. It’s quite a storytelling story as Canibus is a customer and the lady rapper is the stripper. Its pretty hilarious as instead of being a rapper who is iced up and touches the *****es during they dancing but Canibus is a broke rapper who touches a stripper by accident. Pretty good

5. In the rain (3/5) 

The beat is alright and the lyrics are alright . This song is average at it best time and spits one of the most stupidest lines every “you don’t know nothing I said well at least I know something”. The trumpets are alright on this one. Canibus tries to be deep on this one but doesn’t come well. He looks at himself optimistic as a rapper/artist. The hook is pretty annoying. He flows well that’s another pro of this song which is painfully average!

6. Mind control (2/5) 

The title song of the album yet it’s a stinker pure filler. The beat is painfully average with it electronic based stuff. The hook is pretty poor as well. The lyrics are in storytelling form and he warns you the dangers of the career he does placing it in his shoes and how you should take control of your life. It’s a nice idea but Canibus doesn’t pull it off and wern’t expecting this from Canibus with the name of Mind control. With a name like this I was expecting shit about how he can control your mind and dope stuff but this isa attempt of Bis breaking Mainstream.

7. Last Laugh (5/5) 

This is pretty dope. The beat has a Jamaican/Caribbean feel which you don’t hear that much no more. The hook is pretty good as well. The second verse reminds me of Phuk you where he shows he skill by placing a sample with his lyrics which always shows skill to me. The lyrics in general are his battle advanced style which is great IMO.

8. Not 4 Play Feat. Kurupt (3/5) 

Alright when I read this I notice two of my favourite mcs together I thought great going to be my favourite but it like most of this delayed album incredible painful to listen to. The beat is pretty nice witht that string instrument in the background but the lyrics are just pain terrible if the name hasn’t gave it away. I would rate this a 2/5 but the beat brings it up a little.

9. Stupid producers (2/5) 

This is a storytelling track and it is average (what a surprise). The lyrics are about some producer and Canibus making a deal with each other and Canibus take shots at producers and certain flaws they have. The producer’s voice is annoying as ***** and the beat is pretty simple and can’t save this. It’s a nice realistic story but I don’t like the beat and I don’t like the producer voice. The best bit is when Canibus starts beating the producer ass! Yes give it to that squeaky voice Bis!!

10. Talk the talk (3/5) 

Again the beat has a nice guitar loop but something makes this pretty average (beatwise), must be that synthesizers loop thing which replaces the guitar loop. I hate the hook. He raps about how you can’t talk about him and his stuff until you been in his place. Again the lyrics are his battle type of lines. He does that “you can talk about this you can talk about that you can talk about anything you want” type of thing where each line concentrates on a word. The hook and the synthesizer shit makes this not get above average.

11. Nobody 

The beat is more of a slow tempo and again has that synthesizer stuff which I don’t like making the beat an average one. There isn’t any lyrics just talking down the mic which doesn’t end the way how he could go out IMO.

I would rate this 3.5/5 and his 4th best album out of six

When you listen to this album you must remember that this was written as his 3rd lp so you shouldn’t really put it against his new work and say how bad it was compared to it and say he fallen of because he has gotten back up since this was written. Production lets this down in most but it an independent company with one producer and has done his best. Lyricially he still good. Most song appear on a Canibus mixtape which also brings this down. This is just a filler for the anticipated album “Hip hop 4 sale” which will probably production from Stoupe and A rumour Is Kanye west.

Recommendation. I would buy this if you are a big Bis fan but if its your first album of Canibus then Buy Rip the Jacker. You shouldn’t try this if you are ignorant and not willing to try something new then “Dat Gangsta Shit!!!11oneone”

Jehst is from Hudderfield yorkshire UK.

High Plains Anthem

The album begins brilliant. The beat which is produced is this quite funky beat made up of drums,bass and the piano which shines out on this one and it is yet very addictive. The hook is a Dj premier type of thing where samples are used of Nas. Jehst flows incredibly well with this raw flow and spits some dope stuff on this track. Jehst uses wordplay and anything else he can to make a dope song. “More bad apples in the crew than cheap cider” makes this song and is my favourite line.

Skit.

A weird beat based thing with alot of scatching does actually what it says on the title

City of industry

To begin with you hear this very depressing sounding violin type of instrument being played it with a nice bass and then the drums slowy begin to be added to the mix. Then some crackling samples of Prodigy (from Mobb deep) begin. Jehst begins to flow and starts describing a typcial bad weather day in a northern town in the uk. he spit some dope stuff again. There is dope lyrics and maybe even better production which infact this song is done by himself, Which gets double brownie points from me.

Bluebells

This beat is more happier than this one and the next one. With the nice sampling and really nice baseline makes this very catchy. Kind of skitish type of thing.

1979

To begin with there is some really quite furious and rough drum loop and a quick scatch of something which you think it going to be a more aggressive song until it stops and some really weeping sound violin type of instrument and some sort of horn instrument. I was thinking if these are the two parts of the bea together this aint goint to work but instead when the drums mix with other stuff if works, amazing! Then jehst starts to rap about him strugggling in life and trying to get back on track. In the hook there is just sampling again which i can’t remember where from.

The Trilogy Ft. Tommy Evans + Ricochet

The bass is what really shines out on this one, but in all this really is a meancing beat. All together the mc’s use battle type of lyrics showing up of fake and piss poor mc’s. To begin with Jehst lays a really dope verse with lines like “Any timewasters grab them by the tie breaker Betta chance of flying off a sky scaper”. Then ricochet lays a good verse but weak against Jehst’s and Tommy’s but still keeps above good with lines like “Spit a muderous verse and rip like van winkle”. Tommy finishes this off with a good verse. to begin with in my opinion it pretty weak but keeps improving ever line. No chorus just killer verses. Ends with some sampling.

Alcholic Author 

This is dopest as it comes. This is my favourite on this dope E.P. I can’t really describe the beat on this one except dope. The lyrics are themed around his environment and the struggle. Damm whenever my favourite song i come to reviewing it i come off piss poor.

Staircase to stage Ft. J-zone

This is the song which on some albums where i think “is this better than so and so aka the favourite song” this arguable with myself to be favourite but is my second. Over a dope Piano loop with a pretty simple drum loop and sampling of Raekwon delievered by Harry love a very good UK producer and you can see why! Jehst lays some very and i mean very quotable lines. “Bling Blinging like Jahjah rings but you haha funny like ja ja binks” just to quote one line out of the many. This is one of Jehst stronger lyricially songs in my opinions. US underground legend J-zone appears on this one and does a dope appearence, but in all he gets outshine by Jehst easily. sorry to j-zone and all but even tho i’ve got love for him and all Jehst pulled out even more cards.

Return of the drifter

This is the title of the track and like the rest of the songs its dope. With harp strings and drum loops and nice bass makes this nice. Lyricwise i think this is about drugs. Nice flow and use samples of himself and someone else.

People under the weather Ft Asaviour

This is more weaker songs which is a 4 no doubt and ironicially i feel this is the more usual dope uk sound which i normally love.The title is a saying in uk only i think which means being sad and sometimes use to say unwell but also cleverly it is taking the piss out of the normal UK weather which is raining. The beat is made up of drums, bass and scatching. This is the only song with a hook and is pretty addictive and they spit dope lyrics.

Trilogy Remix Ft Chester P + Kyza

The beat is the same one as the original but with the new verse from all three Mc’s I feel Jehst i better on this than the original verse. chester p is my favourite and Kyza is the weakest in my opinion. A nice way to finish off this dope album

In all this gets a 5 out of the 5 as this is proberly my fave E.p.

In all of the uk records i have about 10+ of them this is one of the two i rate a 5. The other being Iron bridge Toilet humour. The best thing about Uk hip hop is the newer and more range production which the uk seem to have and this defines it.This album only has 1 4 star record. Jehst is lyricially advance than most of the uk mainstream junk which gets through he reminds me of Uk’s answer of Big l with a more advance vocab. Also its a really shame he doesnt get notice while people like lethal bizzle,the streets,Dizzee rascal ETC ETC does. I hate most of the stuff being shown on Channel U as the video are awful and you swear you turning on MTV base. He has this new kid of flow which also adds why i like him. he does his own production on some which adds to his dopeness. He proberly wont get regconized in the outer uk base as his lyrics are too hard to understand at times and the mainstream UK people are too ignorant.

Recommendation: BUY THIS *****ING ALBUM!!!!!! IF YOU FROM THE UK OR GOT INTERNET ACCESS I’F YOU DONT YOU’LL KICK YOURSELF. Jehst has also released another e.p which i dont know the name and a album called Falling down which should be checked out aswell.

Iron Bridge consisting of Dirty Verbals and Jibbarish come from Essex in the UK. Essex is about 20 miles from the capital and is moulding some great artists, with these two leading the way.

The album begins with an intro, the “Intro” is a very simple yet catchy hook over a simple but again catchy beat made from what sounds like a brass instrument. The scratching also keeps it refreshing and entertaining. After the intro we get one of the first singles “Dance 4 Ya Daddy” The song isn’t really showcasing their lyrical skill but is more an energetic and fun track. Ronnie Compost joins them and makes this hilarious with one of the most quotable punchlines ever to be done in rap history. If I’m right then they also released two other singles. The next one is “They’re Comin 4 Ya ft Essex” which is a posse filled cut with nearly every rapper from Essex. A lot of different people come with different styles so many shine out for one reason or another. The last single is “Get up”. Get up is a solo song by Jibba where he spit venomous battle rap with aggression, with him constantly changing from normal to warp speed.

Looking at the tracklist there isn’t really too many songs which don’t feature someone apart from the solo songs and 3 songs. “Slient Hill” is the annual weed song which appears on half of the hip hop albums. The flute type of sound really suits the topic. “Die Tryin” is Dirty Verbals solo song. Dirty over a really energetic beat does a sort of fun battle rap song. “The shining” Where over a very melodic beat with them speaking about their struggle in the rap game. “The Outro” again over a crazy beat from pager the lads show their raw energy which a lot of people lack these days. Jibb even gives you his signature bullet speed rap for his last verse. “The Howling” is another Jibb solo and once again doesn’t disappoint. Over an incredible creepy beat by Ill-son, Jibb tells a story about a werewolf which is released on humanity.

It’s a shame as that is the only story on the album as that the refreshing and most entertaining story I ever heard since Ghetto Vampire by Chino XL. Apart from that original song idea there are a few more. “International Relations ft Shain Caw” Dirty V looks at other countries in the stereotypical views people have in the UK. I enjoy it even more with the beat by Ill-son and catchy hook by Shain Caw. “We Got Game ft Tekneek, Ennicee and Blokey” Where all four rappers spit about different type of games with a beat which matches i.e. If it is computer games then they rhyme over an electronic beat which suits the topic. “Scientific Cypher” over a very eerie beat, Dirty V and Wizdom speak upon very scientific stuff. “Essex Boyz” by far my favourite song. Joined by Phonetics they spit about the stereotypical images that the rest of the UK has on Essex. To be honest they are mostly true! “Silent Hill On Acid Remix” where most do the typical weed song (which they have on “Silent Hill”) them and Ronnie Compost look at Acid.

As mentioned earlier the album has a lot of track featuring slot but unlike most there is a reason behind this. They wanted to show Essex has skill and tried getting 90% of the Essex hip hop scene which existed then. They also feature the two crews they are part of. On “Ill Mentality” it features the rest of the Ill Psychosis. This is a crew type battle track which is pleasing to the ears. Then the title track of the album “Toilet Humour” which features the Human Vermin and a load more rappers. They do the humour which 90% of Essex people have over a beat sampled from the Oompa Lumpas from Willy Wonka. It isn’t a really a strong track for lyricism but is a funny and a good song.

In all this gets a 5 from me. Only this and return of the drifter from Jehst which gets the full 5 from the UK. All beats are brilliant, they are lyrically gifted and complete artists in the full content.

I’ve decided to review this album as this was the first whole album I really enjoyed. I got this from a copy of a mate when I was noticing the favourite genre of music was Hip-hop. In 1997, DMX emerged from Yonkers painting Dark and powerful pictures with this Gem of a debut It’s Dark and Hell is hot. Lately I have been reviewing without single song ratings but I have decided to do it with this one as this one deserves it.

1. Intro (5/5)

This is a great way to begin the album. To begin DMX is talking to someone talking about the Ruff Ryders, then the Bell hits then the drums slowy begin which are very nice. The whole beat is very dark and quite eerie,and I don’t normally say it but Irv Gotti came up good on this one. DMX Flows real nice and DMX spits about his takeover really with Dark lyrics.

2. Ruff Ryders Anthem (4/5)

This is good. It’s not my favourite but its still quite good. I don’t like this as much as the live version on the end of my CD for some reason. The beat is pretty simple but is effective I feel. Not the greatest beat but its by Swizz Beats so I wouldn’t be execting top notch. The lyrics are really what the Ruff Ryders are like and represents them. DMX’s flow is nice with his multi flow. The lyrics are good. The hook is pretty basic but does the job.

3. *****in’ With D (4/5)

This is good. The beat is pretty good I really like the bass. Not much to say on the beat for this one except it’s pretty good and a bit simple. The lyrics are pretty much about *****ing with him is the wrong thing to do.

4. The Storm (Skit)

There these two people and they talking about X and denying his skill. Just an intro to the next song.

5.Look Thru My Eyes (5/5)

This is dope. The beat is very dope, I especially like the piano. The whole beat in all is a slower more dark track and dope in total. X’s lyrics are about judging, street stories all about seeing things through his eyes. He flows well and shouts out most but he can pull it off. The hok is very catchy In all, very dope.

6. Get at me dog Ft Sheek (4/5)

The beat is good. I can’t really explain the beat but its good. Dmx makes threats and tells stories so it’s typical X stuff. The hook is alright which is delivered by Sheek. Flows well as well.

7.Let me fly (5/5)

The beat on this is very dark made with especially dark synthesisers. X raps about violence and pain. The hook is very good almost sounds like X is depressed but it is also very catchy.

8. X is coming (5/5)

To begin with a kid starts signing Freddie’s chant with one or two of the lyrics is changed. This is the hook as well. The lyrics are very dark and I’m still laughing (an evil type of humour) yet shocked at the lines his spits especially the 2nd verse. I feel he used the freddy chant due to him being like a nightmare. The beat is very dark and makes this song very dope.

9. Damien (5/5)

This is very dope!!!!! Over a dark beat which I can’t really describe except dope and dark he spits about this “friend” he has met called Damien. Damien doesn’t exist I feel hi just the dark side of X telling him to do stuff to please him to be his “nigga”. Quite a storytelling track. This is very dope and this type of song appears on every X album. This is why X has gone to 1st with all his albums.

10.Hows it Goin’ Down (3/5)

Urgh a for the females type of song. These are the worse type of songs in history of rap music IMO and that means not a lot of people can pull this off. X does not do this IMO. The beat is pretty good especially for this type of track. To begin with it has this long skit which I use to skip because it was so long I thought this was a skit. From what I was expecting to come from DMX when females where put into his songs. I was expecting very dark mistreating women type of stuff. Meh it could be worse he could go on about what his going to be doing to satisfy them with dirty puns and metaphors like Cam’ron.

11. Mickey (skit)

I laughed at this skit does this make me evil??? Just a skit

12.Crime story (3/5)

This beat is really quite boring and doesn’t really fit the topic matter. The topic matter is very dark and hectic and the beat is really mellow made up from bongos and drums. No wonder why it’s a Irv Gotti beat, he only ever makes good beats once and a while! This is a storytelling track where x spits about him killing some cops and them hunting him down and what his pressured to doing. The bit where he says he act as a girl is hilarious. In all the lyrics are dope and the beat is very boring.

13. Stop being greedy (5/5)

DOPE!!!! DOPE!!!! AND DOPE!!!!! This might aswell be my favourite X song ever released! Over a very dark uptempo beat made up for violins and organs, DMX spits about the struggle and ho the other ones are being greedy. X spits dope stuff! He really flows well.

14. ATF (4/5)

This dope but way to short it doesn’t get the full 5. It’s like Crime story in the way he is trying to escape from the police but this time he really is pressured in this one and the beat fits this song perfectly with the furious violins almost reflecting on X’s feelings. Shame this beat is way too short.

15.This is for my dogs (4/5)

The typical rap song now days. All about loyalty and how they ride for each other. The beat is nice and all of them spit good stuff. Not much to say except good.

16. I can feel it (5/5)

I love this song. The song has a mellow feel sampling Phil Collins for the hook. X spits about his life and what has made him. The lyrics in all are pretty dope. I’m a big Phil Collins fan and this maybe whyi give this the 5.

17. Prayer

Like on most DMX releases like a Damien song there is a Prayer. X is really religious and you can see why x does this then. Deep stuff displayed on this song.

18. The Convo (4/5)

This is a song which a lot of rappers do where they talk to God. X spits about his fate and his past and how god *****ed him though it yet his still grateful. At the end the topic gets all good by thanking god for positive things. The beat is pretty slow which restricted him from getting the full 5.

19. Niggaz Done Started Something Ft LOX + Ma$e (4/5)

This is pretty good way to end the album unless you have the Germany Extra track one like me. This is with the Lox and Ma$e and they deliver some good verses. The beat isn’t the beast it could be but does the job. X I feel delivers the best verse and Ma4e takes second. The lyrics are about how if you want money you should be prepared to take on haters and how they deal with them.

20.Ruff Ryders Anthem Live (Germany Extra Track) (5/5)

This is audio of a live performance of the Anthem and I like it better than the original one due to the Liveness adds a point o it if that makes sence.

In All this album gets a 4.5/5

This album falls half a mark even tho more than half the album is filled with %’s there are two 3/5 tracks and I feel to get a five you need more than half the album 5/5 and the rest 4. The lyrics are dope and is X at his best! The production is dark and dope and fits X’s lyrical matter prefect. This was the first whole Cd I heard and lit the flame for Hip-hop so I felt it had to be reviewed. This album did news things with hip-hop and you can see why all of X’s came first in the billboard charts.

Recommendation: BUY THIS!!! This is X’s best CD. The rest are pretty tight as wel with Flesh of my flesh blood of my blood getting a 4 from me, And then there was X getting about a 4 (not sure haven’t really listened to that one to review it probably.) The great depression which gets a 3 from me and Grand champ which is 3.5.

1) Flight Risk

The name of the album, so you gotta expect something firey. Love the beat, amazing piano keys on this. Speedy states his gangsta, states his affiliations, states what he’s about. Perfect track to open the album out. 5/5

2) Blacc Ass Nigga

Beat is decent, nuthin’ special. This is a ***** song to me, ***** songs gotta be sumthin’ Pacish for me to really feel ’em. Speedy spits some game on this, I’m feelin’ the hook, he rides the beat well. Middle of the track it cuts out, Speedy on the phone…”Sup *****? You gotta get yo’ ass over here now.” She says, “Okay Daddy.” Beat rolls in again, then track cuts out AGAIN!! Speedy *****in’ two *****es. Shit is comical on the real, but overall decent song. 2.5/5

3) Bring Some Friends f/ Tha Realest

Beat is knockin, Realest kicks in, sounds a ***** lot like Pac on this track, but his lyrics ain’t to his par. “It really doesn’t matter *****, bring some friends! A gutta nigga.” Speedy lowers his tone of voice on this track, and raps some good shit. Pretty good. 3/5

4) DeathBeforeDishonor Radio (skit)

Turn your *****ing speakers down before you play this, cuz the ***** is screamin!! ahahaha

5) Gangsta Rapperz f/ Young Roscoe, Method Man & Prodigy

This track blew me the ***** away, so far the hardest track thus far. Beat is crackin’, Method Man and Prod do the hook, back and forth, murder it. Method kicks in, ain’t heard him spit like this in awhile. Speaks his gangsta, strait up. Speedy jumps on next an rips the track apart, real talk. Roscoe finishes it off, he spits okay, but I’ve heard a shitload better from him. 4/5

6) Hustle N Da Hood f/ C-Bo, Neko Supreme

I really like the beat on this, love the hook on this. C-Bo shines the greatest on this track, “Yeah they swear I’m from da Bay the way I pop collars, bark like a rotweiler, hot like Impalas, shit i been hotta, finni jeans, tims, prodda, step to my men you step to a mack 10 choppa, 500 sport proppa..”. I don’t know who Neko Surpreme is, he got a deep ass voice, slow flow but I’m feelin it. Speedy ends the track on some gangstaish. 3.5/5

7) Skit

This Kurupt, they ask him when is the new album commin out? Kurupt says, “I don’t have one, why should I? They don’t want me to make a mutha *****in record. I make a record, I cause wars.” Everyone wants this nigga to make a *****in record! And thats even the *****es talkin…

8) Gangsta’s Roll f/ Kurupt Young Gotti

This track is so point point, the beat is so on point, Kurupt murders the hook, catchy as *****, my favorite track so far. Nuff said. 5/5

9) 21 Gun Salute

This track is okay. Its the type of track that’ll grow on you. 2/5

10) Rollin’ Stone f/ Neko Supreme

Got that dirty funk sound, love that sound. I think its sampled, who the ***** am I to know. Top Down! Close Doors! But the rims still spinnin!!! Speedy a sloppy low tone, my favorite style he got for real. Neko spits some very nice shit. Both ride the beat, nice feel to this track. 4/5

11) Ghetto Millionaire

Whoever the ***** is on this, she spits some serious fire, flammable like propane. Second rapper on this track, flows nice on this track. Beat is catchy as *****. Speedy okay spittin. 3/5

12) Supa Fly f/ Dru Down

Dru Down is *****in’ comical, no one got flows like Dru Down!! No exception here, beat is alright, could have been better. Speedy comes in, spits some alright shit. Without Dru Down, song ain’t shit, but he can’t even save it alone. 2/5

13) Hood Shit

Mellow ass track, good for bumpin’ down the street, and nothing more. 2.5/5

14) Move The Car

Cheesey ass gun shots and breaking windows sounds, then an AK spits in, horns sounding…sounds like their playing Duke Nukem, no word of a lie.

15) Street Grimmey

Sometimes you have to run through alot of shit until you find a gem. This is it. Play this LOUD. 5/5

16) Feelz So Good To Me f/ The Game, Too Short

Ohh no, it can’t be, another *****in’ gem. I’m beginning to feel The Game’s music alot, he’s still hungry, let’s see how long it lasts. He spits real nice, flow on point like it always is. Speedy kills the shit. What else can you expect from Too Short? 5/5

17) Crash Dummy f/ Roscoe, Piyow

On a roll here, love this beat. It’s like Atari shit, swear on it. Now here comes Roscoe with that real shit, “No love for the law throw slugs on ’em all, I’m bout to go balistic on ’em, dis’ Killa Cali Yo milli’s an calico’s thats all I need to split the whole district open..” Whoever Piyow is, he salutes Roscoe. Tri on the track speaking some real talk, “Don’t ride for a nigga who don’t ride for himself.” 4.5/5

18) See Saw N f/ Zig Zag

Zig Zag rips the track up. Beat is okay, feelin’ it. End of the track, gun shots, and they ain’t on no Duke Nukem shit! I like this track, Speedy came correct. 3/5

19) We Ain’t Listen f/ Young Noble and EDI (I think)

Gangsta, strait gangsta. The beat is so gangsta. Excellent damn track. Speedy shows his talent here. Outlawz come correct, ***** it’s about time. 5/5

20) Gangsta Shit f/ C-Bo, Big Eastwood 5/5

Just ride! JUST RIDE!!! Another gem. Eastwood murders tracks, like always, so does C-Bo. *****, so does Speedy. 5/5

21) It’s Hard Out Here

A track wit’ some debt, an its overdue. Speedy speaks on his own death, his families deaths, ITS HARD OUT HERE!!! Damn, good track. 4/5

22) Bonus Track f……………..YUKMOUTH AND GAME???????

Incoming mail. INCOMING MAIL! That *****in’ track, Speedy put it on the album and put his own verse on it. Jelly Roll beet. I can’t believe this track to tell you truth, Yukmouth really murders this track to pieces. 5/5

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

This is a STRAIT GANGSTA RAP ALBUM TO THE T!!! To be honest, I was impressed with this album. Speedy’s style is original, and he knows what the ***** he’s doing. Although his high pitched style gets a little irratating (or maybe cuz I’m hung over) after awhile, he switches it up to in my oppinion, the better low tone flow. I find the best tracks mostly, the ones with feature from Kurupt, C-Bo, Eastwood, and his other homies, but Speedy came correct on this album. I’d say probably the most bangin’ WCMG rapper’s solo album to date. Production never fails to shine from C-Bo’s camp, NEVER!!!! Here is no exception. I reccommend this album if your a Westcoast fan, and definatly if your a fan of West Coast Mafia Gang.

Peace.

1. Fresh Mode

Great way to start off this EP. Young Einstein produces a really good beat, very sample heavy with a lot of scratches. Andy C & Dizzie Dustin to the rapping and they do a great job. Andy C is a guy who I can relate to, the guy raps about stuff he knows about and doesn’t rap about redundant subjects. Just a great track to bump. DOPE!

2. Now Who’s Laughin’

Great beat by Young Einstein, nice bouncy piano vibe to it(With heavy scratches). Dizzie & Andy trade some verses and again they rip the track, the thing about Ugly Duckling is that they have fun when they rap and don’t try to impress the masses with idiotic punchlines and over crowded guests. This track is good stuff. Good

3. Get On This

Great relaxing beat by Einstein, this is a slower track and this is where Ugly Duckling shines. Dizzie starts it off with a great verse about the trials and tribulations of being in a group. Andy with the next verse with a great verse, man these guys are overlooked, they are damn near flawless on the mic and make some great music. I like the chorus as it’s heavy on the scratching. Some more goodness from the UD crew. DOPE!

4. Einstein’s Takin’ Off

This is where Einstein shines, this is a track about his production and his scratching. The beat is really good, sounds like an old school 70’s sitcom. Dizzie & Andy rap about Einstein and how great he is. One of my favorite tracks on the EP. DOPE!

5. Everybody C’Mon

This track sounds like something J5 would rap over. Really good beat here by Einstein, has a dope organ thrown in there. Dizzie & Andy show some great chemistry together. Just a fun track you can play at a party. Good

6. Do You Know What I’m Sayin’

Great piano beat here, nice drums as well. Andy shines on this track. Man these guys are really good, they just flow over the beat naturally, nothing is forced here. Another classic UD track. DOPE!

7. Everything’s Alright

DOPE DOPE DOPE!!!!! I love the beat here, it’s a mixture of relaxation and darkness, just a really well done track. Dizzie raps about the trials of the world and how the end of the world is almost here and that he’s prepared. I love the chorus, just sampling goodness. Andy has the second verse and outshines Dustin, I like how Andy twists up the Nas line(On Live From The BBQ). I also like how Andy shows no shame praising Jesus. Dizzie & Andy trade some verses here and there for the third portion. You have to hear this track, probably one of my favorite Hip Hop songs. DOPE!

8. We’re Here

Nice bass heavy beat, has a funkish feel to it. Dustin has a mindblowingly great first verse. These guys are like The Beastie Boys but a lot cleaner….not that that’s a bad thing, in fact I applaud them for not cursing in their rhymes. Andy C does a great job on this track as well. Great way to end the track. Good

All in all I’m going to give this a DOPE! rating. Probably the best EP I have ever heard(Hip Hop wise). This was a really well done EP and should be heard by everyone. BUY IT!!!!

Handsome Boy Modeling School is made up of two of music’s most experimental producers/composers/..whatever: Dan the Automator of Deltron 3030 and The Gorillaz, and Prince Paul (formerly) of RZA’s Gravediggaz and De La Soul. This is a two-man group to rival Blue Man Group in terms of sheer creativity with music (and what music actually means); the album, as can be expected, is an excersize in trying to see how many genres they can bend without breaking.

1) Rock ’n Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This)

Starts off with a short skit, followed by voice samples over a heavy guitar. The vocals eventually cut out, leaving room for some nice record scratching. Later in the track, the instrumental completely morphs (briefly) into a drum track with some horns blowing over it. Pretty much the intro to the album. (Good)

2) Magnetizing ft. Del tha Funkee Homosapien

A friend of both producers, rapper Del guests over this stifling, dark-piano track with haunting Asian flutes. He does a good job flowing over the odd track, lyrically good as always, and even adds to the effect as his voice can be quite haunting. (Great)

3) Metaphysical ft. Miho Hattori of Cibo Matto & Mike D of the Beastie Boys

The track is based around a gothic organ which alternates with a happy-go-lucky piano. Miho covers the first three “verses” with a Stephen Hawking-sounding lecture on the metaphysical, while Mike D simply talks over the track. No rhyming done, plenty of musical experimentation. (Decent)

4) Look At This Face (Oh My God They’re Gorgeous)

Starts off with a funny skit about a kid trying to show his dad what handsome is; quickly goes into a classical-flavored instrumental, over which drops a heavy bass/drum. The group’s namesake is revealed here, from a skit on a short-lived sitcom. (Good)

5) Waterworld ft. Encore

A dangerous-sounding, banging piano over a marching drum track, dripping sounds and a pulsing organ set the background for Cali rapper Encore to kick some intricate verses. (Great)

6) Once Again (Here to Kick One For You) ft. Grand Puba & Sadat X of Brand Nubian

This beat has a meandering synth mixed with a quick horn and a hard drum. The vocal samples on the hook and the catchy relative simplicity of the beat give it the feel of a DJ Premier cut. The Brand Nubian duo both step up to bless the track with their trademark. (Excellent)

7) The Truth ft. Roisin of Moloko & J-Live

This is a slower track, with a loungy feel to it given by the slow piano, the mournful singing by Roisin, and the jazzy bass and horn blats in the background. A little past the halfway mark, J-Live’s verse comes in; as with the others, he comes correct both flow-wise and lyrically. (Excellent)

8) Holy Calamity (Bear Witness II) ft. DJ Shadow & DJ Quest

This is a creativity-mash which teams Paul and Dan with legendary Bay-area producer DJ Shadow and the predominantly-techno DJ Quest. This energetic track starts off with a yelling vocal sample which moves into a pseudo late-80’s rap beat, complete with break beats, B-Boyish vocal samples, a fat horn, quick trumpet blats and–later on–massive amounts of scratching. About 3/4ths of the way into the track the scratching stops briefly for a beatboxing interlude. (Great)

9) Calling the Biz

A short interlude, a call about the HBMS project.

10) The Projects (P Jays) ft. Dave of De La Soul & Del tha Funkee Homosapien

A disjointed piano set to a drawn-out, high-pitched harmonica drawl over a sloppy bass becomes the perfect mishmash of sounds for Dave and Del to rap slurring, sometimes-humorous verses about the ghetto. Del’s lazy stylings remind one of a version of Ludacris “done right,” as it were. (Great)

11) Sunshine ft. Sean Lennon, Money Mark, Father Guido Sarducci, Josh Hayden of Spain & Paula Frazer of Tarnation

This laid-back, sunny strings track sees a slew of singers–including Sean Lennon, also of Cibo Matto and the son of John Lennon and Yoko Onno–singing about forgetting one’s troubles and longing for love while Father Sarducci speaks in the background. (Good)

12) Modeling Sucks

This track, which samples a certain famous classical composition, finds the enthusiastic young man from earlier in the album disillusioned by the shady work and hard times of the cutthroat male modeling industry.

13) Torch Song Trilogy ft. Sensational

A spaced-out 50’s sci-fi movie style xylophone (?) kicks off the track, reminiscent of Psycho Social LP-era Jedi Mind Tricks, wherein experimental MC Sensational–of the same school of Hip-Hop that birthed Kool Keith and MF Doom–kicks a slurred, mumbly freestyle verse that somehow works. Good if you like lo-fi stream of consciousness type rap. (Good)

14) The Runaway Song ft. DJ Kid Koala

A snoopy tuba over an organ with some vocal samples fills out the round, plodding flavor of this cut. More scratching marks this as a definite DJ track.

15) Megaton B-Boy 2000 ft. Alec Empire & El-P of Company Flow

The banging-on-metal-pipes drums and electronic distortion-turned-background mark this as a definite El-P track. Producto himself shouts in his trademark fragmented style over the mass of electric noise, with cybernetic bleeps thrown in later for good measure; but this is like El-P on overdrive–we’ve rarely heard even El-P this daring. (Good)

16) Father Speaks

A man who sounds like the SoBe commercial guy speaks on his good experiences in the Handsome Boy Modeling School.

My Rating: 4.5/5

In terms of sheer creativity, Dan the Automator and Prince Paul can’t be beat, especially when they team up together. Their magic touch somehow seems to make everything they put their hand to sound good in some way or another. A great foray into all the facets of rap music and musical experimentation, past and present.

Recommendation: Buybuybuybuybuybuy

1.The Fix

Intro. It got a quite nice beat with piano etc etc Just an Intro

2.Safe

This is great song to start the album. Scarface gives us a street 101 on the street dope dealing game. The beat is real nice. The beat is quite a funky beat in my opinion made from funky guitars, hit from trumpets and a pretty simple drum.Scarface flows incrediably well. Very great way to bring this album about a 4-5 rating

3. In Cold Blood

This album gets better. To begin with you hear this sampling or singing which is quite eerie especially done by the crackling effect of the song. The beat starts and its pretty good done by Kanye west and in my opinion this is one of his better stuff. He samples Gladys knight’s “And this is love”. The beat doesnt really sound like a typicial kanye beat. Scarface flows nice and spits about street poetry. Nice stuff a 4 to 5 stuff.

4.Guess who’s back

This is done by Kanye and is more easy to regonize it as a kanye beat. Hard to explain but image his normal stuff. The beat is nice tho.Jay-z begins and it is hard to analyse the lyrics because this is jay-z with his half of the time very weak flow. Kanye does the flow on this one and its better then the lyrics. Scarface spits and it is his usual topic stuff but with a little lower standards. Beanie up last and ironicially his my favourite minus bad flow. Dont like the lyrics or 2/3 of the flows so ill give this one a 2 to 3 for the beat.

5.On my block

This is dope easily a 5. The piano based track gives Scarface the power to spit some heartwarming shit about his block. He talks about the general hard life and the good times in the ghetto. So reallly street poetry. Originallly done by 2pac and in my opinions both the lyrics and beat are much much better.

6.Keep me down

I dont know if the greatness of the last song or if this is but this one seems boring with the beat. The beat is like this guitar loop with some weird sound being played and doesnt reallly keep me interested. The lyrics are alright and is multi based but really its about haters trying to keep him down. About a 3 due to the beat.

7.What can i do.

What can i do is the question on this one and my opinion is to skip it. The beat is better a little bit but something is missing.Scar reminds me of a preacher how he delievers this song. Kelly price is alright.The lyrics aint much in my opinion. About a 2

8.In between us

This is dope and i have to brand this a 5. Nas features and spits first and steals the show. While flowing really nice he spits about his fights(first one really) to begin with and goes on about enemies and into backstabbing. Scarface spits some nice stuff and flows alright. He spits about his street human relationships. The beat i love and the piano is what i really like on this beat and the acoustic strings in the chorous. The lady sounds like shes in pain and for some reason even tho i dont like it i feel it matches witht the topic of relationships going sour.

9.Someday

This is featuring mary and she alright on this, Like what can i do some thing is missing in this. The beat is better than Keep me down and so are the lyrics but something wrong. Scar’s lyrics are about meeting up someday. In all a 3

10.Sellouts

If you can’t tell what the lyrics are about just give up on life right now. Lyrics are about how *****es are sellling out and how stupid *****s thinking he will ever be selling out to get the money He spits some dope shit and flows nice. The beat is quite west g-funkiksh. The hook suck but in all its pretty good song a 3 to 4.

11.Heaven

This is really nice. Lyric wise he spits heartwarming stuff like family and friends,his daughter and god being in his life. The beat is real nice on this one and changes into something tighter in the end. the first one is made up of synthesizers and the last one is really a sample of something or another. Kelly is nice on this. In all a very good and deep song so this gets around 4 to a 5

12. I Ain’t the one

Damm this sucks and this is a very way bad in my opinion to end this alright album. The beat is simple and so is the lyrics. The lyrics and beat are a rendition of N.W.A’s or ice cubes I aint the one but “cleverly” changed to not pissing him or Wc off. the beat is simple and uninteresting. this is easily the worse song on this album and gets a 1.

13.Fixed 

Same as the intro maybe changed. WHY Finish it like this i have no idea???

In all this gets a 3.5 out of 5

This album is either highly dope or highly boring. The source rated this a 5 and in my opinion you have to make a album with no filler and mainly thrillers but this album clearly has 3 out of the 11 (2 skits not included) but looking back its the source and when has anyone payed that much attention to them in a while. In songs some are good beatwise and some are good in lyrics but never really matching each other except maybe 3 songs. Once while on the internet i saw this thing which i agree and it was “Def jam: we sign legendary artists and make them worse and destroy their legacy” whch they done to certian artists in a certian amount. Soem thing i notice aswell none really have that south feeling which also loses some marks as a 5 clearly shows where they from. Scarface is one of my favourite artists from the south and this is not a great outing for him as seen in his last albums.

Recommendation: Alright it depends if you want a more now sound then yeah if you want to dab in an artist many claim the king of the south(i do too ) but if you want the best go for The Diary. Normally this is the bit where i run down the list of which is better and which is worse but i can’t be bothered.