This album was released by Quik in 2002, a little before dropping his Greatest Hits. I think DJ Quik is massively underrated both as a rapper and producer, despite consistantly dropping quality albums throughout his career.

1. Tha Proem (feat. Hi-c, Talib Kweli, Shyheim)

This first track doesn’t feature Quik at all, although like the whole album, it is produced by him. Good intoduction to the album with some nice guest appearances.

2. Trouble (feat. Amg)

A superb track, and one which still grows on me the more I hear it. The pairing of quik and amg is as good as ever. This song flows well, with simple yet effective production.

3. Come 2nyte (feat. Truth hurts)

Another decent track, although I think the production on this one is too similar to a lot of Quik’s other stuff. Truth Hurts sings the hook, and makes a good job of it.

4. Put it on me (feat Dr. Dre)

This is what happens when the west coasts premier producers hook up. Excellent production (produced/mixed by dre), and some good verses and a catchy chorus. It has to be said that DJ Quik somewhat outshines Dre on the mic on this one.

5. Murda 1 case (feat. KK, Chukey, Pharoahe Monch)

Not a bad track at all, but you may skip over this one a little. A nice piano on the production, with Quik’s new reggae artist Chukey on the hook. Pharoahe Monch comes as tight as ever.

6. Ev’ryday (feat. Hi-c, James Debarge) 

Some pretty innovative production which bounces along and becomes catchy. This track was skipped over a fair bit when I first copped the album, but is now certainly one of my favourites. Check out the chorus. Quik’s choruses are usually excellent, this is no exception.

7. Get Loaded (feat Amg)

An ok track (another good chorus carries the song somewhat), but again I think this sounds too much like an old reworked track in terms and does nothing special for me.

8. Gina Statuatorre (feat. Chuckey)

A fairly decent track which see’s Quik and Chuckey rapping and singing about a girl who is underage, but continues to flirt and tease older men – who if give in have to face the consequences. The typical funny and ‘cheeky’ lyrics of Quik are complimented by Chuckey’s regga influence.

9. 50 Ways (feat Wanya Morris)

A suprisingly serious track for Quik, who tackles issues of life, death, his career etc, with Morris from Boyz II Men handlin the chorus. Despite being an unusual kind of song for him to do, it works well and doesn’t seem out of place. The use of the military style drum loop is effective. And is that a subliminal diss to Suge Knight on there, or simply satan himself? The jury is out.

10. Quik’s Groove 6

The mandatory quik groove, like the title suggests, the sixth one. These tracks are instumental only, and serve to show DJ Quiks all-round musical ability. Although not the best one he’s ever done, there’s certainly nothing wrong with having a break from hip-hop to listen to a bit of jazz – this fits the bill.

11. Get tha money (feat. Suga Free)

The famous pimp rapper suga free has this track to himself, and sticks to his usual flow and style. Not a bad track, but nothing special.

12. One on 1

It’s debateable, but this is the best track on the album. If there was one track to stir up the emotions with a lady friend, its this. Very sexy track, El Debarge does some excellent background vocals, and Quik keeps Roger Troutmans legacy alive with the talkbox on the chorus. The only problem I have with this song is its only 3 minutes long.

13. Sex Crymee 

Quik lives up to his name on this one, spitting some pretty fast verses. Good production and a solid track.

14. Birdz and da beez (feat. Hi-c, Amg)

It’s all down to personal taste but I’ve never been a fan of this track. No real flow to the production, and a horrible chorus doesn’t help matters. Possibly the weakest song on the album.

15. Oh well 

Another solid decent track, although the high-pitched tune can get annoying. The talk-box helps this song out, and is not a bad finish to the album

Hidden tracks:

Leave the last track running and the outro will appear – an instrumental, featuring some nice production. Bit pointless but nonetheless better than nothing. After this has finished, leave the cd running again to hear a brief message from Quik, giving shoutouts and thanking you for the purchase. How nice of him!

Another solid release from Mr Quik, one which any west coast fan should not be without. Again this album highlights DJ Quiks abilities both as a rapper and a producer. This is not as good as his Rhythm-al-ism album in my opinion, but will certainly not disappoint. There is talk that this may be his last album. Lets hope not.

Total mark for album 4/5

The Miami rapper Trick Daddy hasn’t been one of my favourite rappers during the years, but a lil trip to the Dirty South made me change my mind. That’s also where I got this album from…

1. Intro

2. I’m a thug

I like the production of this track, and the chorus are cool too. Trick Daddy’s saying he’s a thug. Tight track right here. Good way to start the album.

3. Where U From (feat. Trina & Duece Poppi)

Trick Daddy, Trina and Duece Poppi’s representing where he’s from and other places I guess. Persionaly, I like this track. That could be very affected by the fact that I used to stay at one of those places. Trick’s representing and if he’s representing where you’re at, you’ll love this song. If not, you’ll probably like it anyway.

4. Noodle

This production may be loved by some, but I’m not feeling it. It’s ok tho. It’s a nice track to put on on the after party when you’re lighting up that last one tho. Trick Daddy’s lifting this track.

5. Take it to da house (feat. Slip-N-Slide Express)

Definitely a party track with a cool hook. You might not be stunned by the lyrical capacity of the guests on this song, but they’re ok. If you play this track at a party you’ll definitely enjoy it.

6. Trump in the trunk (Skit)

7. Can’t ***** with the south (feat. J.V.)

Sure the other coasts can ***** with the south, but Trick’s doing a very good attempt to claim that the dirty south owns the game. This is a realy tight track with tight lyrics, tight hook and tight production. Definitely one of my favourite cuts on this cd.

8. Survivin’ tha drought (feat. Duece Poppi)

This track is kinda weird. The production is mellow, but the raps are kinda raw. Not one of my favourite songs on this album.

9. Pull over (remix) (feat. Trina, Kase & Duece Poppi)

If you like the original version of this track, I’m sure you’ll like this one too. It’s an up tempo beat with cool lyrics to it. A party track.

10. Have my cheese (feat. J.V. & Money Mark)

I don’t know if I should love or hate the production on this track. It sounds kinda wack at first, but then when the hook shoots in I’m feeling it. It’s still not one of the better tracks on this album tho.

11. Bricks & Marijuana (feat. Kase)

I haven’t heard much from Kase, but he’s wack on this song. He ruins it. The production is ok at most, so this track is a “skippable” track.

12. N Word (feat. Tre+6 & Duece Poppi)

Yeah we know you use the N word, Trick. You didn’t have to do a wackass song about it.

13. 99 problems (feat. Tre+6)

99 problems but a ***** aint one… The production on this track is ok but the lyrics are kinda wack.

14. For all my ladies (feat. Trina)

Wow. A few wack tracks are followed up by this tight ass track! And an other tight assed rapper is on it – Trina. She’s coming out really well on this one. Actually, Trick Daddy isn’t even on this one!

15. The hotness (feat. Society)

I’m actually feeling this cut. I’m probably one of the few tho… Not much of a production and the lyrics aren’t all that either. I’m feeling the beat, tho.

16. Somebody shoulda told ya (feat. Migraine)

What the ****! I thought this was a Trick Daddy album! He hasn’t appeared a lot on these past tracks at all! This track has ok production and wack flow.

17. Amerika

Slow jam. Tight. You’ll definitely feel this track. Trick Daddy’s criticising the government… All in all a good song.

18. Duece Poppi snippits (Bonus)

A lil promotion for the upcoming star of Slip-N-Slide – Duece Poppi. Sounds cool… but has nothing to do with this album.

This album has its ups and downs. Personally I was feeling a lot of the tracks, but that could be because I’ve heard it at a lot of parties etc. The best songs are really tight, but the others are kinda wack.
I give this album 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Before hearing this album I have only heard track 3, “Things I’ve seen” before, and it was really tight so I’m hoping this album will be something special. The group has a great female singer named Ming Xia and 4 male MC’s.

1. Other script

The album’s starting off with a song with weird production. It’s ok but I’m sure a lot of people doesn’t agree with me on that. The Spook’s doing a good job flowing over it tho and the chorus is kinda catchy. The outro’s wack.

2. The mission

Nice and different production on this one. Xia’s doing a great job with the hook… However, the others are wack and I could probably go to the mall right now and find someone who’d do it better.

3. Things I’ve seen

“Things I’ve seen” was the first single and a major reason this album sold units. The production is tight and Xia’s making it a great commercial success. The other MC’s doing decent verses and I really like this song. However, I think the single version is different production wise. This one’s way to low and I was disappointed with it.

4. They don’t know

What the hell is this?! I’m sure someone’s worked very hard to produce this song, but it’s wack! The lyrics are decent but that won’t help this track. Skip this!

5. I got U

Again, very different production than what we as rap fans are used to. This one’s pretty decent tho. To bad the track as a whole is wack.

6. Flesh not bone

This is more like it! I’m actually enjoying the production on this song from time to time. To be more exact, I like it when the guitar’s in the picture. The beats are also kinda cool tho. Again, Xia’s doing her part very well.

7. Sweet revenge

Wow! I had lost faith in finding really tight tracks on this album, but this one made me change my mind! It’s a very tight production and the lyrics are really cool too! I’m impressed!

8. Deep cutz

Damn. I was hoping for a tight followup to “Sweet revenge” but instead I get this… a pathetic attempt to try to make it look like an old Ice Cube song. This aint even close. Wack.

9. Karma hotel

Xia’s starting off this track, and there’s no denial in that she has a beautiful voice. Unfortunately she’s not doing the entire song, instead the other’s coming in. They’re doing a decent job on this cut, but I’d rather hear Xia throughout the entire song. She IS doing a good job on the chorus tho. It’s worth listening to.

10. Safe house

Cool beat on this track but that’s all. Even Xia’s wack on this one.

11. Something fresh

This track’s based on some 80’s rock thing. It’s quite neat… Especially when the chorus’s cutting in. You might not like this one, but I do.

12. Swindley’s Maracas

One of the better tracks on this cd… Not that that would tell you something. It’s average. Xia’s once again doing a great job and she should go for a solo career. I especially enjoy the guitar.

13. ***** blood

This has got to be one of the worst tracks ever made. Skip it!

14. Murder

They probably couldn’t come up with a worse way to finish off the album. Wack!

Throughout this album it had different production. It sounded kind of like a mixture of Rap, Jazz, Reggae and Soul.
I’m gonna be honest with you and go right to the point: This album sucks! The average track on this album is some wack shit who should never have been released. However, some tracks like “Things I’ve seen”, “Flesh not bone” and “Sweet revenge” was actually quite tight. If you would remove those 3 tracks, this album would get 1. Now I’m forced to atleast up it to 1.5.

When I picked this album up I didn’t know much about Royce da 5’9”. I knew he was affiliated with Eminem, and that could possibly mean he’s only selling records because of that. Other artists has sold a lot more with Eminem than they would without him. We’ll see…

1. It’s Tuesday (Intro)

Royce da 5’9” starts off this album with a slow, cool song. Neat beat and cool lyrics. This is something between a normal track and an intro.

2. Rock city feat. Eminem

Eminem’s co-producing this track and since the production is good I’m guessing he did a good job. This has to be one of the first commercial tracks he produced. He’s also featured on the song… He’s really just doing the chorus and it sounds kinda gay. Eminem shouldn’t sing like this.

3. Get’cha paper feat. Tre’ Little

This is more like it! A slow but still raw track. Royce’s coming out hard and so is Tre Little even tho he’s not as raw as Royce da 5’9”. Tight track and a catchy hook!

4. We live (danger)

This song is also kinda slow… The production is cool and so is the lyrics. Nothing special really. The hook is kinda catchy.

5. You can’t touch me

This, just like the other tracks, is a kind of slow beat with rawer lyrics on it. I like the beats, but the rest of it isn’t all that. All the tracks has sounded too much the same this far.

6. Let’s go feat. Twista

Twista’s one of my favourite Midwest rapper. Nobody can spice up a track like he does when he’s spitting a verse in his typical way. Same thing with this track. If it wasn’t for Twista I probably wouldn’t have like this one too much, but now I think it’s really cool. The production is above average, too.

7. D-Elite Pt 1

A 1.38 long track. It’s cool but the length of it make it seem more like a skit.

8. D-Elite Pt 2 feat. Tre´, Cha Cha, Jah 5’9”, Cut Throat and Billy Nix)

Tight beat and production for this one and I enjoy all the verses. They’re all good rappers. I’m not really into the slow kind of production Royce da 5’9”, or maybe the executive produced; Eminem, seem to like.

9. She’s the one feat. Tre’ Little

Boaring music… the rap don’t save it. Skip this track.

10. Boom

Damn! Just as I had lost faith in this album this track comes up! DJ Premier is a tight producer and he’s proving it right here! Tight production no doubt, and Royce da 5’9” come out tight too. This is my absolute favourite track on this album this far. No contest!

11. What would you do

Royce da 5’9”’s rapping about how bad he is, and what he’d do to you if you messed with him… The production is nice, but the talking at the end kinda ruins it.

12. Who am I

Uh oh! 2pac die-hard-fans will not like this. Royce’s rapping over the Pain production. When Ja Rule did that, 2pac fans started hating on him. Ja Rule took an entire 2pac verse and just changed a few words tho, Royce’s doing new lyrics to it. It’s cool but I usually don’t like when a rapper’s taking someone elses track to remake it.

13. Life

Nice slow jam. I’m not normally into slow jams but I like this one. I believe the hook is taken from some other song… Either way it’s catchy and I like it. One of the better tracks on this cd.

14. My friend

Cool way to finish of the album. The production is kinda old school like, and Royce da 5’9”’s showing skills on the microphone.

The question I asked myself when I got my hands on this album was if Royce da 5’9”’s only selling records because of his affiliation with Eminem. The answer is both yes and no. Personally I like it, but I’m also sure the mainstream audience isn’t. It’s an average rap album and sounds more like an underground album than a commercial release. It’s a good thing he’s not changing his style to sell records, tho. This is an average album and therefore I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

I’m not a big fan of Master P, however I spent some time down in Florida and down there, Master P is a living legend. That was the only thing that made me buy this album. My expectation was low. Master P is the kind of rapper that most people either love or hate. I’m neutral in this tho.

1. Take it outside feat Krazy

Nice way to start of the album. I like the beat and if the album continues like this it’ll be a cool album. It IS kinda long tho… they shoulda cut it off earlier.

2. Ghetto ballin feat Lil Romeo & Silkk The Shocker

This song will make you bump your head. It’s tight and cool lyrics. However, the music string and beat are the same over and over and over again here. They just repeated it. I remember playing this at the basketball court when this album came out and I always liked it back then.

3. Ooohhhwee feat. Weebie

The first single of the album, and definitely a hit. A typical party song with a catchy hook. Master P successfully picked this track to promote the album. I’m pretty sure this song and this song alone has made this album sell better.

4. Real Love feat Sera-Lynn

Nice lil beat and a cool hook. However I gotta say Master P is ruening this one. His verses is quite wack… There’s nothing wrong with the lyrics but I don’t think this production is meant to scream on.

5. We want dough

This is a cool song. I especially like the hook. It’s quite catchy and match the production well. Some may not like the way Master P’s rapping to this, but I think it’s cool. This song’s average.

6. The block

This song’s proof that Master P shouldn’t do slow jams. It’s too bad, because the production is tight. Skip it.

7. A woman

Another slow song. I don’t like Master P on slow stuff. Next!

8. Back on top feat. C-Murder, Silkk The Shocker & Lil Romeo

Cool sample of the old Ice Cube track “One nation” with George Clinton. I like this! Tight remixing and tight verses. Master P and his fam is representing the New No Limit, and they should since it’s their company.

9. The farm

Wow! I wouldn’t expect Master P to come out good on a slow jam! But here he proves me wrong. Good lookin out Master P!

10. What i’m bout

An other kinda slow song. The beat’s cool but the combination of beats and rapping just aint right. Master P’s talking about his career and what he’s about.

11. Whoadie gone

Whoadie gone is done in memory of all the fallen soldiers. Master P’s coming out with his classic “UUUUGGGGGHHHHH” and the production is tight. However, this is an other slow jam and like I said before – Master P shouldn’t do them, atleast not when screaming to a slow music. The song’s got a good message tho.

12. I don’t feat Krazy

This is more like it! Master P fits in perfectly on this kind of production. One of my favourites on this album and I think all ya’ll will like it too!

13. Rock it feat. Weebie & Krazy

The second single and a hit! I can’t stress enough what a great party track this has been for the clubs in the dirty south! Weebie got a style similar to Nelly but it’s more in the rapping direction than what I’d say Nelly’s doing. Production is straight fire!

14. Loose it and get it back

An other kinda slow song. Thisone’s better than the other ones tho. The production is cool and the chorus is kinda cool. A good way to finish off this album.

This album has it ups and downs. Tracks like “Ooohhhwee” and “Rock it” are tight party tracks while tracks like “The block” and “A woman” aren’t too good. If you like Master P, you’ll probably still like the slow jams on this album, but personally I don’t think Master P fits in on them. I’d rather se someone else doing their thing on those.

This album is hard to grade, but since the best tracks are really tight they bring up this album to an average level.

I give it 3 out of 5.

LL Cool J is a legend in rap. He’s released 10 albums counting this one, and if you listen to rap, you definitely know who LL Cool J is. Recently people’s been saying he fell off, so it’ll be interesting to listen to this album.

1. Intro

2. Born to love you

LL Cool J’s starting off this album with a neat beat and cool lyrics. The guitar string in this makes the track go from average to above average.

3. Luv you better

At first when I heard this song I thought the production was tight, but now I realize it’s realy a 5 second string over and over again. I know a lot of people like this track, but I don’t.

4. Paradise feat. Amerie

This song sounds more like an 80’s funk track than a 21st century rap song. Definitely not one of my favourite tracks on this album!

5. Fa Ha

Who produced this track? He shouldn’t produce rap any more! Wack ass production. Good thing LL’s holding it up.

6. Niggy nuts

Wack ass production on this one too. But just like on “Fa Ha”, LL’s holding it up. LL Cool J didn’t fall off – he just can’t find the right producers!

7. Amazin feat. Kandicce Love

A slow kinda jazz like track. I don’t like it at all, but I can imagine it’s nice to listen to sometimes when you just feel like relaxing.

8. Clockin G’z

The production’s getting better with this one, but I still don’t like it. Good thing LL Cool J’s doing a good job with holding up the tracks. If they had a wack rapper on them this album would suck.

9. Lollipop

This song actually’s got cool production. But if you compare this to the others, LL’s not doing his best performance. It’s an average track tho.

10. After school feat. P Diddy

Finally! Tight production! I’m not exactly in P Diddy’s fan club, but his verse here is ok. The chorus is really catchy and I really like this one!

11. Throw your L’s up

Tight ass beat and very cool chorus. LL’s as usual tight and this track is one of my favourites on this album no doubt. “L! Who bring you the hotness? L! Yo, you don’t wanna stop me! L! Forever keeping it lock’d, it’s now time to rock with: L!!”

12. You should

Realy nice slow jam. I’m feeling the production on this one, and LL’s always been good at doing these slow jams. This album has taken a U-turn and now every track seem to be tight!

13. 10 million stars

Wow! Tight as *****! LL’s dropping TIGHT lyrics and the production is straight fire! The chorus is really tight too. At the end LL’s going: “L’s worth paper. Ask Def Jam who put em up in that skyscraper. Ask my dogs up in old five, who made a major/ LL playa, now who’s next to need a paper, drop a bomb on em”. In the skit after this track LL’s bragging some about his body, and that’s also the intro for the next track.

14. Mirror mirror

Nice slow jam according to some, but I don’t like it. LL’s not coming out tight on this one, and it’s just overall not all that.

15. Big mama (Unconditional love) feat. Dru Hill

This is a realy neat slow jam with Dru Hill on it. Usually when Dru Hill’s been on rap albums it’s been coming out tight.

The question when I started listening to this album was: Is it true? Did LL Cool J fall off? The answer is no. This album had some wack production, but LL came out tight on most tracks. On the second part of the album, the production shaped up and the album is above average. If there was a 3.25 grade, I’d give it that. Instead, I’ll give it 3 out of 5.

Daz, a member of the platinum plus group the Doggpound, has released a couple of albums revently. My favourite Daz albums are Revenge, Retaliation & Getback (Death Row) and R.A.W (DPG Recordz). On this album he’s brought in the producer Mike Dean to produce with him. All south fans know who Mike Dean is. He’s on Rap-A-Lot and has produced a lot through the years.

1. Intro – DPGC 4 life

2. Drama

Wow! Great way to start off the album with! Tight production and Daz come out hard as *****. When I hear this I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album!

3. Ain’t that somethin feat. Crystal & P.F.N

Tigh ass beat and nice raps over it. Overall a tight track but not as good as the pervious one. Still a good track and definitely not a “skipper”. I’ve never heard P.F.N before and I wasn’t realy feelin em. Crystal came out tight tho, and Daz was raw as usual.

4. ***** make me rich feat. Too Short

Don’t play this track to your girlfriend! The title is self explonary. Too Short’s coming out tight on this track and the chorus is tight. Daz’s tight as usual even tho I happen to know he took off Kurupt’s verse on this track and recorded pretty much the same lyrics himself. Still, I find this version of it better.

5. Keep it gangsta

One of my absolute favourite tracks on this album, and also the first single. The chorus is cool, and actually quite catchy. Daz does his part realy well. Party track!

6. I live every day like I could die that day

“I live every day like I could die that day” is a slow jam. Daz’s saying he don’t give a ***** about them major ass labels in the beginning, and going independent ignoring major deals proves that. This is not one of my favourite tracks but the bassline is tight and some of you might like it.

7. Load up feat. Tanya Herron

Wow! Bomb ass beats and tight ass lyrics, can we ask for more?? I don’t think so! Daz’s realy proving himself with this one and if you don’t like this, there’s something wrong with you. Probably my absolute favourite track on this album! Tanya Herrons chorus and lil verse there is also tight. I don’t normally like when there’s someone singing more than the chorus, but this is an exception.

8. Run tha street

Cool beat on this one, but not one of my favourite songs of this album. The chorus is tight as ***** and that’s making this track above average.

9. We do this with passion

Daz follow up “Run tha street” with “We do this with passion”, a track with a very tight production and lyrics. It’s a kind of slow song but not too slow. Very tight track and kinda hard to describe. I guess you gotta hear it yourself! Daz’s throwing in a few disses to Death Row too.

10. Redrum galour feat. Mean Piece

This production doesn’t sound like Daz at all. It’s a rock kind of production but I like it. It’s not one of my favourite tracks on this album but still good. The chorus is kinda wack tho.

11. This is the life I lead

Daz’s going off on this song and it’s lifting it up, since I didn’t like the production at all. Too bad because with better production this could have been a dope song!

12. Outro

(Bonus track) Gangsta prerogative feat. Kurupt

Don’t forget about the bonus tracks! This track is actually one of the best tracks on this cd! Both Daz and Kurupt’s coming out tight and the production is just tha bomb! They’re rapping about how it’s DPG for life… I guess that’s a lil diss to Kurupt since he left for Death Row. DON’T SLEEP ON THIS!

(Bonus track) From the moment feat. Kurupt

A slow jam with a deep content. Not at all one of my favourites on this album. It’s nice with a few bonus tracks tho.

(Bonus track) Keep it gangsta (remix)

Tight remix of this track but I liked the original better. Considering the original is tight as *****, this is still a tight too!

Overall this album is tha bomb! I didn’t expect an album this good from Daz right now since he’s releasing a lot of albums and he’s doing them pretty much by himself. On this album Mike Dean stepped in and dropped some tight ass beats and that made the album a little different from the average Daz album. If this album was released on a major label, there is no doubt in my mind it would be a platinum plus album. Don’t sleep on this album! I give it 4 outta 5 stars.

This Death Row compilation was arranged by Keita Rock when Suge Knight was still in prison. Since Snoop made the radio stations ignore Death Row it’s called “Too gangsta for radio”. The album didn’t sell to well but it was highly anticipated by the die hard Death Row fans.

1. Intro
A funny intro about Snoop waking up in the middle of the night, making his girl call the pen to see if Suge is still there.

2. 2pac – Friends
This song was supposed to be on the Makaveli album by Tupac, but they couldn’t make the sound clean. Or atleast that’s what the rumour says. Fact is that this is a very tight track. I’ve heard the original and it’s a lot like that, so Big Hutch didn’t change much when he reproduced this. Big ups to him since this is a dope production. QDIII produced the original.

3. Crooked I feat. Treach & Scarface – Gangsta Rap
Tight track. Crooked I’s first released track on Death Row/Tha Row and he’s doing a good job. Treach is good but Scarface is not exactly doing his best verse ever on this track. It’s ok tho, he’s talking about fakes. They failed to mention in the credits that that’s Kurupt on the hook.

4. C.J. Mac – I ain’t f*****’ wit cha
Tight beat on this one. C.J Mac is dissing the shit outta everyone on Aftermath. Actually this is one of my favourite tracks on the cd. It’s funny. I know that a lot of people don’t like it tho…

5. Above The Law – Everywhere we go
Very tight production. Above The Law is definitely dropping one of the better tracks on this album. The beat is tight and their verses are ok too. Don’t skip this one.

6. Tha Realest – F*** Hollywood
The intro is funny as hell. A mother’s telling her son: “What’s wrong baby?” And the son replies whispering: “I se gay people”. Just like in the 6th sense. The song as a nice, southern inspired production. Tha Realest is calling out pretty much everyone in the Hollywood, name by name, and saying they’re gay or something like that. Funny track to listen to. It’s not a big banger tho.

7. Ja Rule feat. Cadillac Tah, Black Child & Vita – Murda for life
Murder INC diss to the Doggpound. They’ve taken the “Doggpound for life” beat and made it “Murda for life”. Anyway this is an average track. The beat is good, but it’s recycled.

8. Ruff Ryders – In too deep
Worst track of the album. The beat seems to be a 4 seconds loop of some wack shit. The raps are ok, but can’t hold this track. Skip it.

9. Tha Realest, Swoop G, Twist & Lil C Style – F*** Dre
The intro to this is funny as hell. It’s showing how Dre takes care of someone who wants a deal. Tha Realest, Swoop G and Twist are doing one good verse each, and Twist is good at the chorus. But Lil C Style is just wack on this track. I know some who think he’s doing the best verse on this track but definitely not in my opinion. It’s a tight track tho. It’s dissing Snoop, Dre, NWA, Eminem, Hittman etc.

10. 2pac – Thug nature
Very tight 2pac track. One of the best reproduced 2pac tracks. J. Valentine on ths hook is doing a good job too. Death Row did a very good job picking 2pac tracks to put on this album. They were both bangers!

11. Crooked I – Death Rizzo
Crooked I’s first solo track on Death Row. This track has a super-tight beat and Crooked’s doing his thing proving why some now call him the best in the west.

12. Swoop G feat. Keita Rock & Juice – Projects
Swoop G is a good rapper no doubt. When he was doing this his mind block’d so Keita Rock wrote him a verse. Swoop G didn’t think it would be right for him to rap Keita Rock’s verse so he asked him to do it himself, and he did. The result’s ok, and that was enough for Keita Rock to start working on his own album. Juice’s doing a good job on this one too.

13. K-9 – Gangsta’d out
This track starts out with an Eminem diss. It’s a KKK leader saying their newest member is Marshal Matters… The song itself is NOT a diss record tho, except maybe a lil bit. At one point he’s saying “Makaveli your ridaz are scared to ride”. Rumor is that this is the track K-9 got signed for and after dropping it, Death Row dropped him. It’s a tight party song and nice production.

14. Dre’sta – Give it up for Compton
Eazy E’s old homeboy is givin it up for Compton. Tight production and Dre’sta’s definately got authority to speak on rap today.

15. Mac-Shawn – Real type gangsta
Mac-Shawn’s rapping about how Snoop stole his style. “Always spittin my game, but never mention my name”. An interesting fact is also that Mac-Shawn got a big Death Row tattoo covering his back. That must feel weird now that he’s not on Death Row anymore…

16. G.P. – The coff
G.P sounds kinda like DMX or Ja Rule, but he’s 10 times harder! The beat on this track is kinda weird but if you give it a chance, you’ll probably like it. This track made me go to G.P.’s site and hear snippits from his album. They sounded tight so I ordered his album and I’ll post up a review of that later on.

17. The Relativez feat Nuttz – This is the thanks you get
This is a direct reply to Dre saying “We started this gangsta shit, is this the mother*****in thanks we get?” and go on dissing some other west coast artists. The production of this song is cool and the verses are ok.

18. Dre’sta feat. Young Hoggs – Too gangsta
Dre’sta is givin it up for Death Row – there’s something you wont hear every day. This track has realy tight production and a catchy hook. One of the better tracks of the cd!

19. Outro
You are now allowed to go back to your mainstream pop shit.

This album was very very slept on. The album got tight production except for a few exceptions, and most artists are skilled rappers, too. Both 2pac tracks are above the standard of the reproduced 2pac songs from Amaru/DeathRow/Interscope and upcoming star Crooked I made his name know a little bit more than it was before. A funny note is also that he’s the only rapper from this compilation still on Death Row/Tha Row. This is a typical example of that pop rappers are taking over and real gangsta rap like this don’t sell anymore unless it’s got a lot of promotion. This album had none. I give this album 4 out of 5 stars.

Fabolous was found by Dj Clue and now he’s on Desert Storm. I didn’t expect much of this album.

1. Click & Spark
Dj Clue’s annoying screaming voice starts off the cd. That’s a big minus. The track itself has a nice production tho and Fabolous is coming out tight with his laid back flow.

2. Keepin it gangsta
This song has a nice production, and a catchy hook. Fab’s verses are tight too.

3. Young’n
You can hear this is a Neptunes production. To be sure I checked the booklet and just as I thought, The Neptunes produced this track. Very good production. Fabolous is dropping his laid back rhymes as usual. If you like that, this is the track for you!

4. Get Right
I don’t realy like the production on this one, but I can imagine that others do. The hook is very catchy tho and that makes it an average track.

5. Ride for this feat. Ja Rule
Nice production again. Fabolous is not dropping his best verses, but they’re ok. Ja Rule is pretty much just singing the hook.

6. One day
Nice slow jam. This is a very relaxing song. I like it.

7. Trade it all feat. Jagged Edge
This is for the ladies. I know the ladies like this. Not one of my favourites tho.

8. Right now & later on
Timbaland production. I didn’t like the production on this one at first but it’s getting better after a while. Fabolous come out tight on this one.

9. Take you home feat. Lil Mo
F.A, B.O and Lil Mo. Nice Fabolous verses and nice hook by Lil Mo. Not one of my favourite tracks tho.

10. Get smart
Nice production again and Fab’s also doing his job.

11. Can’t deny it feat. Nate Dogg
Bringing in Nate Dogg on a track usually means it’s gonna be a big hit, and just like Fabolous probably planned, this was. And I can’t deny it, it’s a tight song.

12. Ma’ be easy
Weird production but it’s ok. I don’t like this track tho. Next.

13. We don’t give a
Skip this track. It’s wack.

14. The bad guy feat. Pain in da ass
Fabolous rap about how everybody see him as a bad guy when he’s realy not. The production is ok.

15. Gotta be thug (Hidden)
This track samples the Terminator melody, and it’s really neat. Fabolous come out tight, too.

16. F.A.B.O.L.O.U.S (Hidden)
Nice track to finish off the album. F.A, B.O, L.O, U.S. is getting money.

This album has a very good production. With hit producers like Neptunes and Timbaland, and in-house producers Clue and Duro the production of this album is definitely the strong side of it. Fabolous sounds like Mase, if you ask some, but I wouldn’t realy agree on that. Yes, they both got a laid back style, but that’s also the only thing they got in common. Fabolous lyrical skills are underrated. This is a tight debut album and everyone who enjoys tight production should definitely get this. I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The Outlawz is the old group of Tupac Shakur. Right after Tupac was killed, Kadafi was also shot and killed a few months after. As if that wasn’t enough, Fatal also left the group. The remaining members are Young Noble, EDI, Kastro and Napoleon. The Outlawz were all over 2pac albums such as Me against the world, All eyez on me, and 7 day theory. They also released an album titled “Still I Rise” with 2pac, and a solo album called Ride wit us or collide wit us.

1. Intro.

2. Rize (feat. Big Syke)
Tight production, tight lyrics and Big Syke goes hard on this one. Definitely one of the better tracks on this album.

3. This Is The Life
This production is pretty wack if I may say so. The verses aren’t all that either. Young Noble’s chorus is pretty damn wack too…Some may call it hard tho.

4. Ghetto Gutta (EDI & Kastro)
Neat production with a lil piano roll. EDI and Kastro rap about 2pac as usual. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but it’s been 6 years…

5. Our Life
Life seem to be very hard for the Outlawz after Pac and Yak died. And they make sure they say it. This track has tight production and is a nice, kinda slow jam.

6. Ya’ll Can’t Do
Simple production. Ya’ll can’t do it like the Lawz do it. That’s the message. Nice lyrics. 2pac and Yak is brought up in this track too, but then again it’s about what the Outlawz has done in the past.

7. Interlude 1.

8. Red Bull & Vodka
Tight production. Napoleon come out tight as always. I didn’t like this track first time I heard it, but after hearing it a few times I’d say it’s tight. It’ll definately make ya bang your head.

9. 2nd Hand Smoke
Slow jam. Nice guitar string.

10. Interlude 2.

11. Boxspring Boogie
Original and tight production on this track. This is pretty much a Young Noble solo track and he’s doing it well.

12. History
You gotta know where you’re from to know where you’re going. Simple production. I’d say it’s pretty neat tho. Not one of my favourite tracks on this album. And like most other tracks on this album, 2pac is brought up.

13. So many stories (feat. Hellraza)
Simple production. To simple. I do’t like it. Napoleon holds it down as usual tho. Some of you might like this slow jam, others will not like it.

14. World Wide Remix (feat. 2pac & T-Low)
Tight ass track. Tight production, tight verses by the lawz and by 2pac. Nice hook. Only thing that irritates me is that the handclaps realy don’t sound real. It’s still a banger tho!

15. Die if you wanna
This is pretty much a Napoleon solo track. And since he’s a very good rapper this is a very good track. Southern kinda beat drum.

16. Interlude 3.

17. Loyalty (feat. Ed Bone & Kamikaze)
Some say this is a diss to Fatal. It’s a tight track with good production and tight lyrics.

Overall this album is tight. If you’re an Outlawz fan you will definitely like it. The production could be better, but then again you can’t expect the top producers to appear on an album from an indie label. The Outlawz represent Pac and Yak A LOT. If you like that, you’ll LOVE this album. If you, like me, think it’s a lil to much, it may irritate you. It’s been 6 years and it’s time to let go atleast a lil bit. 2pac is mentioned in almost every track and Yak in most too. I understand that they’re representing their fallen soildierz tho. This is a tight album to be from an independent label and I give it a 3/5.