1. Round 2(Intro)

Great intro here, I can’t rate this because it’s not much of a song, it’s basically Celly talking over a really dope beat.

2. What U Niggaz Thought

DOPE!!!!! This is one of Celly’s best tracks ever. The beat is abrasive yet it has a hint of smooth mixed in. The chorus is sung by Kevin Gardner and it’s a classic chorus. Celly Cel rips this track. DOPE!

3. 4 Tha Skrilla(Feat B-Legit & E-40)

Another classic track, all 3 come tight and just have great chemistry together, see this is the Bay I like. Celly was the most overlooked rapper in the Bay, probably still is, I feel he never got his props when he was on Sick Wid It. Classic track that needs to be heard. DOPE!

4. It’s Goin Down

If you haven’t heard this song then you are not a rap fan. Classic beat by Tone Capone. Slower pace here which is dope. I dig the chorus with the girl singing it adds to the track. One of Celly’s best tracks. DOPE!

5. Can’t Tell Me Shit

K-LOU!!!! produces the beat and it’s great(Of course). Starts off slow then the beat just kicks in. Celly Cel raps about the past. Really good track. Good

6. Tha Bullet

K-Lou with another great beat. I dig the voice effects here. Celly Cel plays the part of the bullet on this song, great concept here. Classic track! DOPE!

7. Red Rum(Feat Spice 1)

DOPE!!!!! If you want to hear chemistry then peep this track and listen to these 2 rip the track and feed off each other. This was back when Spice 1 could actually rap. K-Lou produces a classic beat. Great chorus here. Flawless track. DOPE!

8. Skanlezz Call(Skit)

Skit.

9. Skanlezz Azz Bytchez

Good track but I feel it’s not as good as the others. Celly Cel comes pretty tight on here though and the beat is good albeit sloppy. Good

10. Remember Where You Came From

Another classic track! This is a more relaxing track and it really needs to be heard. Good message on this song as well. Kevin Gardner sings on the chorus which is dope and is mixed in with Celly’s vocals. Flawless track. DOPE!

11. Killa Kali

Great beginning here as Celly plays the part of a news anchor and talks about the violence in California, then the beat kicks in and you’re drawn to the track. Celly rips the track here with some dope lyrics. I dig the chorus as Celly channels Spice 1. Great track. DOPE!

12. Playerizm

This is the only average track on the album. Celly tries but the beat is way too slow. Average

13. Funk Season

BEST CELLY CEL TRACK EVER!!!! Quite possibly the greatest Bay track ever. K-Lou produces a classic beat here. The sound effects for the chorus are just great and add a certain something to the track. Celly rips it here, with some really powerful lyrics. You have to hear this track! DOPE!

All in all this gets a DOPE! rating. GET THIS ALBUM NOW! Seriously you have to own this album, any fan of rap MUST OWN THIS! Celly Cel shines here. COP IT!

1. Regulate

What can I say about this song? Great way to start off the album, classic g funk cut. Nate Dogg blesses the song with his nice ass singing and Warren G’s smooth flow really makes the song tight. Nice song to bump in your car just cruising. 4.5/5

2. Do You See

This song is another nice song, the beat on this is really bouncy and different from most of the other songs on this CD. Nice song overall. 3.5/5

3. Gangsta Sermon (skit)

4. Recognize 

This song is definitely one of the best from this CD. This song features The Twinz. The Twinz really make this track hot with their nice lyrics. Warren G is alright on the lyrical tip but The Twinz really outshine him on this. Tight song. 4.5/5

5. Super Soul Sis 

This song does not feature Warren G, but it features this hot ass female lyricist, don’t know her name. The beat on this is really nice laid back g funk, another nice cut. 4/5

6. ’94 Ho Draft (skit)

7. So Many Ways 

This track is undeniably the best song on this CD! The bass line on this is as funky as can be. This song is addicting from the first time you listen to it. I don’t think I will ever get tired of this song. Definitely the best song on this CD and probably the best Warren G song. 5/5

8. This D.J. 

Another laid back cut from Warren G, lyrics are average like most of Warren’s stuff but this song is still a nice one. 3.5/5

9. This is The Shack

This song features Warren G’s group The Dove Shack, real talented g funk cats from Long Beach. Lyrically it is nothing special but the whole beat, flow and things like that make up the track. Nice track. 3.5/5

10. What’s Next

The beat on this sounds like something Dr Dre would do on the Murder Was The Case Soundtrack, it is different from the other Warren G beats but it is still dope. This track features young talented MC Mr. Malik, this is one of my favorite tracks from this CD. 3.5/5

11. And Ya Don’t Stop 

This song is alright, again, the lyrics are nothing special. This is definitely one of my least favorite tracks on this CD. 3/5

12. Runnin’ Wit No Breaks

This track is definitely dope, nice g funk beat featuring The Twinz and the same chick from Super Soul Sis, really nice track overall. 3.5/5

This album overall is dope, I love this album, I don’t think I will ever get tired of this CD. Warren G is nothing special lyrically, he just has a nice smooth voice to go with his beats, the beats on this CD really make this CD. The only not so good things about this album are that it is kind of short (36:56) and the skits. If the tracks were a little longer with no skits at all, this album would probably be the best west coast rap CD.

Final Rating: 3.85/5

Album: Shock Of The Hour Artist: MC Ren
Label: Year:

MC Ren. A member of one of the most notorious groups in the history of rap. MC Ren has for a long time been considered one of the best lyricists of the group. Ren, is politically strong. Some may find his music offensive but he simply raps the truth. MC Ren is one of the realest rappers around today. This album is apart Ren’s high part in his career. There has been much controversy about the music he put out, solo and with NWA.

11:15

Basically a short introduction track. The villain in black is introduced. Ren’s skills are undeniable from the very start. A simple, yet great beginning to this album.

Same Old Shit 

A great track. MC Ren has a steady pace on this track. Basically, Ren raps about his day, being the same, every day, and every night. This is an extremely tight track. On almost pities lifestyles such as these.
“Same old shit every morning when I wake I’m thinkin’ of another *****’s money to take”

***** What Ya Heard

Ren warns the listener to forget all about what they have heard about him, and that no one knows anything. It has a dope beat, dark and menacing to suit his sinister lyrics. A great track.
“In ’93 I’m wreckin’ shit so you can ***** what ya heard I’m droppin’ plenty shit like a mother*****in’ bird”

All The Bullshit Aside 

It starts off extremely violent. MC Ren shows he has skills on the mic as he switches up his style multiple times. This is a great track. Ren has some great lyrics on it and he raps out the truth
“I killed that ***** that waited 40 ounces Start hittin’ my switches cuz my 40 bounces”

One False Move

A great track. MC Ren basically calls-out all of the sell-out artists whom aren’t keeping it real. This is a lyrically dope track. MC Ren doesn’t come hard but he still is incredible.
“Move, now let me fall into the groove Breakin’ niggaz off but I break ’em off smooth”

You Wanna ***** Her

A great track. It’s about a regular hoe who has been *****ed by just about everyone. He talks about her life and everything she does. He warns the listener that this “*****” is a hoe. This track gets a bit disgusting as he goes into great depth but it’s still great.
“The ***** is a stripper but thinks she’s a star Still rides the bus, can’t afford a *****in’ car”

Mayday On The Frontline

An extremely menacing track. Lyrically high and politically on point. It’s vicious and honest. He raps about street life and what happens. It really hits you hard…
“Niggaz screamin’ mayday ’cause Ren is kickin’ ass like pele Makin’ fools run like it’s a relay”

Attack On Babylon 

By far the best track on the album. He raps with a simple style but what he says is very powerful. It’s politically strong and harsh. It’s brutally truthful and is simply amazing. One of his greatest songs.
“I told ya Ren’ll be back with the niggaz in the dodge and the camoflauge But it after tahj, a million niggaz no mirage”

Do You Believe 

On this tight track MC Ren basically questions many things that have been said in the past. Ren is smooth on this politically charged track. Among the best songs of the album.
“How da ***** can you believe, that people turns to spirits? Don’t run with that bullshit because I don’t wanna hear it”

Mr. ***** Up

MC Ren raps a bit softer on this track. He eases up his style and adopts something much more laid back. This track is all about him. It is a great track, extremely different from the rest of his album.
“My niggaz call me Grinch and yes I’m known to be a ***** up Loaded clip, folded sticks, my lifts and double cuffed up”

Shock Of The Hour 

Are you ready for the shock of the hour? This is a dope track. MC Ren raps hard and is enormously politically strong. One of the best tracks of the album. A perfect ending to this amazing album.
“Now it license lights with million knights the divides and canyon The shock of the hour has come to devour the evil, deceivers, and satan”

This album is by far his best. Lyrically he is on a cloud and his delivery is dark and harsh. MC Ren rips the mic apart. The album is strong on many points. His political rapping is a breath of fresh air. He never lets the listener take a break. To some it maybe a bit to racist for them but it is just short from being a work-of-art. A definite recommendation for the fans of the villain in black, NWA and someone who wants to get a taste of his great rapping. You want quality? This album is full of it. It contains full of banging tracks.

Rating:
4.2/5

Album: Breaking Atoms Artist: Main Source Label: Wild Pitch Year: 1989
This is one of those unheard of brilliant pieces of music. From start to finish, it’s full of high standards. The trio from Main Pitch may seem a little out-dated, a little nerdy. There cover definitely implies that. Maybe they are nerds. Rappers who have studied that rap game. They definitely have intelligent lyrics. The members of this group; Large Professor, Sir Scratch and K-Cut make up quite a great collaboration.

Snake Eyes 

A great beginning to the album. Main Source immediately show that they have skills. It’s a really nice, laid back track. But this track is only the beginning to a jewel of an album
“Rolling dice can help you or hurt you; your virtue Is known when you quit cause you’ve hit your cash curfew”

Just Hangin’ Out 

Main Source is really laid back on this track. Lazy delivery and sluggish lyrics. Relaxing and smooth. This is proof that Main Source can effectively switch up their style. A chilled out track.
“I’m mainly known for the rough raps but kids steal my lyrics like hubcaps”

Lookin’ At The Front Door 

Another great track. One of the best songs on the album. Main Source raps above satisfaction with some great lyrics. It also has some great production from the Large Professor. A classic track.
“We fight every night now that’s not kosher I reminisce with bliss of when we was closer”

Large Professor

A great track. The Professor raps at a faster pace on this track. He basically raps about himself. He showcases his lyrical talent as well as his great delivery. He’s not just a great producer…
“I’ll advance to your backside foot and put Nine prints and diss a meantimes where the sun don’t shine”

Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball 

A political track. It’s basically a simile to real life. Main Source raps knowledge. This track’s lyrical strength is far superior to most of the other tracks. A great track.
“[blam] Aww shit another young brother hit I better go over my man’s crib and get the pump”

Scratch & Kut 

A simple, instrumental track. Just a track to show-off the skills of a DJ. A good DJ track which is constantly switching up.

Peace Is Not A Word To Play 

Main Source is much more aggressive on this track. The most politically charged track on the album. Its lyrically on a high point. They drop wisdom on this dope track.
“Peace!) Piece of what? You can’t mean P E A C E”

Vamos A Rapiar 

A great track. Some nice, solid rapping. It’s a basic, simple track but extremely good. Smooth and refined as though it had been run through a filter. It also contains some high-quality lyrics.
“Rappers can dance sing and shake their thing at the same time But can’t rhyme”

He Got So Much Soul (He Don’t Need No Music)

A great song. Basically about Main Source. They rap about how great they are and how they really don’t need the music but they still do it anyways. A pumped up track
“Man I had soul since I was negative three months old When it came to getting down I was bold”

Live At The BBQ 

A classic track. Nas begins completely ripping up the track. It was his first introduction to the rap game. He spits extremely hard. Next it’s Main Source’s turn. They have a lot to live up to after the young MC but they manage extremely well. Easily the best track on the album
“Street’s disciple my raps are trifle I shoot slugs from my brain just like a rifle”

Watch Roger Do His Thing

This is a narrative tale about someone named Roger. About his life, about his thoughts and about his surroundings. It’s a great track. Main Source proves that diversity is their strong point.
“We all know Roger Roger lives in Queens Brooklyn Manhattan the Bronx and he fiends”

Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball [Mix] 

Basically identical to the original track. The only difference is the beat is switched up. It has more bounce to it.
“[blam] Aww shit another young brother hit I better go over my man’s crib and get the pump”

This is a slept on classic. That’s all there is to it. The album is flawless. Jam-packed with classic cuts. This debut is an astounding one. Main Source is simply incredible. Only real hip-hop heads can really appreciate this. Maybe it was too advanced for it’s time, maybe it didn’t receive enough promotion, maybe there was to much competition; all are excuses. Nothing excuses the fact that this gem has been undercover far too long. All three members hold their own to put together a brilliant album. It’s Like That Y’all

Rating:
5/5

Big L. One of the most underrated rappers of all time but among the greatest lyricists of all time. Coming from the streets of Harlem, brought up by Lord Finesse, and apart of the DITC crew, Big L comes on the rap scene with a bang. Big L’s lyrics are unstoppable. He has a flow hard to be matched. And he raps the truth. But the best part about him is his lyrical genius. This amazing debut of his is proof of that.

Put It On

Big L comes hard on this track! He raps about himself. It’s a great track to begin with. His flow is great and his lyrics even better. With mainly just a steady beat the listener can focus on his lyrics. Big L does, without a doubt, put it on.
“Aiyyo, you betta flee Hobbes, or get your head flown three blocks L keep rapper’s hearts pumpin like Reeboks”

All Black

An ill track. This track showcases some great lyricism. Big L rips it apart. It can be said that it is slightly racist but that’s besides the point. He raps about killing people if you mess with him but the way he says it makes you love the song. One of the best from the album.
“Yo once again it’s the Big L, that kid who got much props from killin corrupt cops, with mother*****in buck shots”

All Endz, No Skinz

One of the best from the album. This song is on point, lyrically and material wise. L raps the truth. It basically says that if you have money all the chicks want to be with you and if you’re poor you don’t get anyone. L flows nicely on this dope track. He manages to twist and turn witty lyrics to get his point across.
“Let me get to the point real quick When ya pockets are thick”

MVP

The best track on the album. Lyricism which is hard to be matched, and a perfect flow to match it. This is L’s greatest song, of all time. This track is all about him being the best. And he certainly proves that. Not many artists can do anything that comes close the this. He is indeed the most valuable poet on the m-i-c.
“A yo spark up the phillies and pass the stout Making quick money grip before your ass is out”

8 Iz Enuff

Big L raps nicely on this track. It probably should have been the introduction track. This is a great song all about himself. He showcases his incredible skills on it. Great lyricism combined with a good beat makes it a deadly track.
“Aiyo, folks who quote what I wrote get choked You better surrender before you get smoked”

I Don’t Understand It

An amazing track. Big L raps about how so many rappers are making it big when they really don’t deserve it. He raps about how untalented MC’s are selling out when there is really nothing to him. He then goes on to rap about those who really rap, and rap truth, don’t even go gold. Too many MC’s take the rap game for granted…
“There are too many MC’s who are overrated You ask me, they wasn’t even supposed to make it”

Fed Up With The Bullsthit

L raps about how he is sick of all the constant bullshitting. He basically talks about how people are being treated like dirt and nothing is done about it. He raps about how ignorant people are and how they can turn a blind eye on the many issues that affect minorities.
“Yo, on the scene is the brother that’s big, I’m not a little kid I’m a nig who don’t dig a mutha*****in pig”

Danger Zone

Big L has an odd flow on this song. But the listener quickly gets used to it. He raps about the streets, the danger zone. This is an extremely vicious song. Violent, but great. He cant be stopped. He raps about how “no man can withstand a hole in his zone” IT also has a bit of Malcolm X sampling.
“The microphone is through when this rap legend grab it Sendin poems to have them faggots diggin hoes like Reverand Swaggart”

Da Graveyard

Big L raps with and unstoppable flow on this track and comes uncontrollably hard. He adds some witty lines to this ill track. He features Lord Finesse, Microphone Nut, Jay-Z and Y.U. They all come correct and manage to all shine on this track, despite L’s great lyrics. An unbelievable track.
“Big L be lightin’ niggas like incense Gettin’ men lynched to win tits”

Let ‘Em Have It “L”

L adopts a style on this track listen to the rest of the album. He slows down the pace but his tongue never tires. He just keeps going on and on. He raps about himself on this track and basically gives it all he has. A dope track.
“Aiyo, folks who quote what I wrote get choked You better surrender before you get smoked”

Street Struck

Just from the beat in the beginning and the title of this track, the listener knows it’s going to be a dangerous one. He raps about the streets and life on it. He has some great, meaningful lyrics on this great track.
“Yo where I’m from it ain’t cookies and cream There’s a lot of peer pressure growin up as a young teen”

Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous

The title of the track basically breaks down the track. He raps about street life and about what happens and how dangerous it is. This is a great track. He raps the truth on this slightly violent song.
“My name is L, and I’m from a part of town where clowns Get beat down and all you hear is gunshot sounds”

There you have it. The classic debut by the late Big L. This album basically secured his spot as one of the greatest lyricists of all time. Big L met his unfortunate end in the streets of Harlem where he was gunned down. Truly living the lifestyle of the poor and dangerous. Amidst all the violence he has managed to stay true to rap despite all the obstacles. Through everything, he has forever left his mark in the rap game. And this classic album proves that…

Rating: 5/5

Digital Underground – This Is An EP Release (1990)

1. Same Song – Shock G, Humpty Hump, Money B, Tupac Shakur

Same Song. “We been all around the world – the same song!” The debut of Tupac Shakur on a Digital Underground release. Same Song is an amazing party track with a fantastic jumpy feel to it. Tupac fans may be a little disappointed that Tupac only gets to rap a few lines (well, they give him the buildup of the bridge at least!). Along Shock, Money-B and Humpty Hump, they all flow over the track with such versatility and speed its hard to believe that such a great song could be made. Listen for the sneak in of ‘Humpty Dance’ on the keyboards. Hella funky. Praised by me in every aspect. Awesome

2. Tie the Knot – Shock G, Humpty Hump, Money B, Kent Racker

Along with “Same Song,” the production notes mention this song is taken off the “Nothing But Trouble” motion picture. First few spins the track is pretty funny. Humpty tries to keep together a marriage choir who keep messing around! Hearing the beatboxed scratching is really something to be heard! There is only really one verse to it by Shock, going along the lines of their B-side “Your Life’s A Cartoon,” (except about rushing into marriage) and after that gets silly. A bit of a slacker on the production note. Piano sounds too laid back. Although the singing is meant to sound silly, after a few plays it gets rediculous Average, at most

3. Way We Swing [Remix] – Shock G, MC Blowfish, Money B, Tupac Sharkur

A revised version of the original off “Sex Packets” LP. Beat is slightly switched up from the original and the lyrics are changed slightly. Shock and Money sound less focused as if it were an album track, just rapping for the remix. As dope as the original, plus ever-so-slightly enhanced beat.

4. Nuttin’ Nis Funky – Shock G, Schmoovy Schmoov, Humpty Hump, Big Money Odis

That’s not a typo. Nuttin’ NIS Funky! The long DU jam track! There ain’t nuttin’ nis funky! Beat is hard to describe. Just odd, Raw Fusion style. DJ Fuze working the decks with the occasional hoot and squeak throughout. Works on the “Doowatchalike” beat with additional bass thuds and “la la da da” of the vocalist. Lots of the boasting that there isn’t anything funkier (at that time) than DU. Good track. Need to hear it to like it, however

5. Packet Man [Worth a Packet Remix] – Shock G, Humpty Hump

Another golden remix. Also taken off “Sex Packets” LP, the beat has been reworked with a saxaphone line and a much dancier step to it and added synth effects. A great job.

6. Arguin’ on the Funk – Shock G, Money B, Humpty Hump

Shock and Hump try to settle their disputes over the “Rhyming On The Funk” beat. Hump wanna know why it was called “Rhyming On The Funk” leaving Shock to amend his misunderstandings! Funny. But only really worth the spin to listen to the beat, same as the original.

OVERALL

Essential? Well, that depends what your interests are. Digital Underground fans will love this EP, it fits perfectly between “Sex Packets” and “Sons Of The P.” The CD insert is only one sheet of paper (the credits are on the back of the case) so some may feel short changed, but the music content is still quality, which is what matters most. DU fans- get this! Others may want to try out some DU before copping this EP – try “Sex Packets” and “Sons Of The P” to get an idea what you are getting. Worth it for the 3 [outstanding] party tracks. Otherwise, leave this gem for the Digi Heads!

The Wu-Tang Clan is probably the best-known, most-revered rap group in the history of Hip-Hop. Sportin 9 members who could really tear it up at any second–not just three or four good members and the rest being hype-men or selling points–Wu entered the game in 91 and took shit to a whole new level, gaining the respect of the entire industry in the process.

Shaolin Sword:

1) Bring da Ruckus

Intros the album with a really short skit and Ghost Face jumps on to kill it. The beat is a hard drum track, with random blats and horns thrown in. Raewon jumps on for the second verse; his early shit seems more hype, rather than the dark, raw style of Cuban Linx and his various Mobb Deep appearances. Regardless, he kills it. Inspectah Deck jumps on third and really stands out, killin an in-and-out scheme (AB, BA type shit). GZA’s verse is the last, and he kills it with his metaphorical symbolistic style. (Great)

2) Shame On a Nigga 

ODB shines over a beat in the same style as the last, cept with a nice piano chord thrown in. Method comes on second and just kills shit, one of his best verses which made the song so big. Raekwon comes on third and spits pretty nice, but can’t ***** with Meth’s verse, and neither can ODB’s finisher, tho Dirty’s playful style pretty much makes up for it. (Great)

3) Clan In da Front 

This beat is more creepin, a string beat with a buzzing in the background to symbolize the Killa Beez swarmin. RZA talks an intro for a while, introducin the Killa Beez, then the beat changes to a slightly bouncier dyslexic piano loop. This cut was GZA’s shine track, and he comes pretty nice with an aggressive take-no-shit style. (Good)

4) Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber 

Starts with a short skit about the Clanites chillin, till they get the news a homie just got deaded, and they’re on their way for revenge. This cut is actually 7 verses long, the only Wu-fam left out is Masta Killa and U-God. The bumpin drum track starts in and then comes the sporadic xylophone-type instrument. Raekwon starts off the rappin with a nice, hardcore verse; Meth follows up with trademark siccness, and so-on. RZA breaks the chain, always bein in my opinion the least lyrical of the Clan, but that’s irrela. (Great)

5) Can It All Be So Simple

A Raekwon/Ghost Face dual cut that showed for the first time how compatible the were rhymin together. The beat is seriously funkified, a thumpin base with a harp strum in the background and a smooth hook. Raekwon comes more familiar here, layin back a little and spittin that shit. Ghost sounds here like a tighter version of Freeway; same loose scheme and high voice, but better lyrics and flow, not as whiny. (Excellent)

Intermission: 

Short skit explaining the various alter-egos and nicknames and ways of the Clan.

Wu-Tang Sword:

6) Da Mystery of Chessboxin 

A faster-paced but still bumpin beat, with squeaky horns in the background. U-God and Masta Killa both finally make appearances here, wit a nice verse and a solid flow. Deck’s verse is solid but not his usual shit; Rae comes with the nicest verse on the shit, IMO, but Ol Dirty’s a runner-up with his funny-ass flow an lyrics. Ghost’s shit isn’t his best, but Killa’s verse also seriously kills it. (Great)

7) Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nothin Ta F’ Wit

This beat is catchy n complex, with an Arabic-type whine and shit. RZA actually kills the first verse with lyrics and straight energy, Meth takes over with a sicc verse. Killa track, a standout in an album of illness. (Excellent)

8) CREAM

Another one of the album’s best tracks. The drums are bumpin, the piano melody is sicc, sounds like something off Illmatic. Rae spit’s an autobiographical verse first, killin it; Meth comes with the catch-as-hell hook, and Deck comes with another bio verse, reflecting on some of the revelations of his life. (Excellent)

9) Method Man

The infamous cut that introduced Meth as the Wu-Tang’s Ace card. It starts off with a sickly-funny skit about ‘methods’ of torture. The beat is a jumpin, energetic piece, which supports Meth’s playful, energetic style. Of course Tical lets off some illa lyrics. (Excellent)

10) Protect ya Neck 

The album’s first single (I think), one of those that got the shit so much deserved hype. The beat sounds more like a Cuban Linx or Liquid Swords style, a more dark and constant piano loop over the now-typical jumpin drums, with a little whine and some trumpet in the background. The only Clanite that doesn’t make even a small appearance here to kill it is Masta Killa. (Excellent)

11) Tearz 

This beat is definitely different, type bouncy, takes some getting used to but still pretty good. RZA and Ghost Face put it down for homies they seen taken down. RZA’s verse is pretty nice and emotional, but Ghost is a bit off here. Still a good, emotional song with a message, though. (Good)

12) Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber pt II

In the last joint on the CD, the beat becomes dark, heavy and bumpin, with random high horn blats. Rae, Tical, Deck, Ghost, ODB, RZA, Deck and Genius all kill it here, though Deck’s flow seems the best out of all’em. Not as good as the original. (Good)

My Rating: 5/5 (Classic)

So much shit was accomplished with one CD, listening to it is nearly impossible to believe the Wu would become fractured and distracted later on. First of all, this should be the definition of a group album; the group doin cuts together, various members together, solos, duos, the inhouse producer going crazy on the beats with every member killin it. Second of all the album is a reminder that a beat just needs to be little more than a thumpin drum and bass with the barebones of a tune, a real MC will take it and make it great. Thirdly this introduced the Wu as we know it to the world; Method Man sewin ya asshole closed and feedin you, Ghost and Rae killin shit together, RZA’s beats, ODB’s crazy style & singin, their amazing chemistry together…everything the Clan is famous for was represented to the fullest in these 12 cuts. Seriously one of Hip-Hop’s few true classics.

My Recommendation: Buy this or cut your own ears off and never listen to rap music again.

GZA, AKA Genius, is one of the Wu-Tang’s most underrated MC’s. Probably the most original out of all of them, G has a taunting, aggressive no-shit style while at the same time spitting some metaphorical/symbolic wisdom. Put all this together and you’ll be seriously reminded of a martial arts master or two from old Kung-Fu movies. Liquid Swords, his debut, is arguably tied for best Wu solo album along with Raekwon’s OB4CL. LS is as deep, multilayered and introspective as Cuban Linx is dark and raw, and with RZA still strong on the beats at that point the CD is definitely worth a few hunned(thousand) listens.

1) Liquid Swords 

Intros the album with a clip from an old movie, a kid talking about his notorious assassin father (probably GZA, killing MC’s). When the beat comes in it’s a string beat, and a bit bouncy. GZA spits on wack MCs, killin wack MCs, and bein a super-rapper with both killa rhymes and messages. (Great)

2) Duel Of the Iron Mic ft. Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck

The beat is low and unobtrusive, but still good–it plays at the back of your head, right below notice, setting the tone. GZA, Masta and Deck all go heavy on the metaphorical style, and all killin it. (Great)

3) Living In the World Today

This beat here is nice, a lighter flutey loop that turns into a classic-RZA bumpin, dyslexic-loop type shit. GZA speaks on some seriously abstract shit, with lyrics nice as *****. (Excellent)

4) Gold

The beat is quicker here, a high-whine with horns, hard to explain. GZA spits a great story here over 2 verses. (Excellent)

5) Cold World ft. Inspectah Deck 

A slow, surrealistic loop sets the tone here, the hook being a singer crooning an angsty-sounding couple of lines. Genius and Deck both spit some good shit about livin in the hood. (Great)

6) Labels 

GZA comes with the creativity here, over RZA’s stop-and-go piano, he rhymes while mentioning the various labels that were big in that time. Even though it’s more of a long verse he does a really good job. (Great)

7) 4th Chamber ft. Ghost Face Killa, Killah Priest, RZA 

RZA lays a high, discordant string loop over a hard snare, which is periodically interrupted by a heavy guitar riff. Ghost kills it, Priest kills it; RZA comes with some ill concepts, though his scheme is slightly off, then GZA comes and murders it. (Excellent)

8) Shadowboxin ft. Method Man 

The beat here is a nice change, a rolling continuous organ. Meth comes on and spit’s a sicc verse with a really smooth flow. GZA kills it, then Meth comes on and flows smooth some more. (Excellent)

9) Hell’s Wind Staff/Killah Hills 10304

Intros with RZA meeting a “grey ghost” to make a deal, and it turns out ‘ghost’ is undercover and 5-0 are headin towards the meeting spot at that moment based on information from a “Don Rodriguez.” Interesting. The song picks up, a story about major drug dealin over an accordion-sounding beat. (Great)

10) Investigative Reports ft. Raekwon, Ghost Face Killer 

The beat: a bumpin drum/bass track, with a continuous whiney instrument over it; good shit. Rae jumps on first with a str8 verse about crooked cops, GZA’s second with a nice verse on the same, and Ghost finishes up with siccness. (Great)

11) Swordsman 

The beat: darker, more chaotic. GZA raps some really nice verses describing going from superstitious and religious to more cynical and logical. (Great)

12) I Gotcha Back

The beat is a bit gaudy, mostly a blaring horn over a not-so-strong drum track. GZA’s lyrics are good, a semi-autobiographic account of his life. (Good)

13) Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE)

The beat here is more playful, with a shuffling snare, a whistle and kids laughing in the background. Tha Genius comes with some seriously illa lyrics about losing his faith in religion and his views on it. (Excellent)

My Rating: 4.5/5

GZA’s excellent debut shows how original and creative he can really be, and he basically goes crazy with the lyrics. Pretty much every original Wu member is featured here and there, except for ODB who was in jail at that point. LS also has some of RZA’s best work on it, this was basically put out in the period where Wu was still unquestionably on top; though not as good as 36 Chambers–one or maybe two joints may sound worn after a while–the vast majority of the album is pure.

My Recommendation: Buy, period.

Kurupt – Kuruption – 1998 Antra Records

After the rise and fall of Death Row Records, Dogg Pound and platinum selling artist Kurupt split from the label and dropped his first solo album after working with the likes of Daz, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and being a part of one of the greatest dynasties in rap history. How his solo album would fare was up in the air.

West Coast Disc

1. This One’s For U – Production: Studio Tone 

A laid back track with a good bounce to it, the production is dope for what it tries to achieve. Kurupt lays back with some pimp shit, dropping some tight lyrical flow with good word play. Good start to the West coast disc.

2. Make Some Noize – Production: Soopafly

Teaming up with Dogg Pound affiliate producer Soopafly, they work together to drop a sick collab. Beats that bang in your speakers and Kurupt comes hard over the beat, with a good chorus by Daz to yell to while having this bang in your car speakers. Good background adlibs by Daz. A slight remake of Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noise” for the new era. Dope track

3. Put That On Something – Production: Devante 

Another track that bangs in the speakers, takes a while to get going. Sounds more like a studio freestyle than a track itself, the vocals have the sound of a freestyle and the mixing isn’t that great. The track is allright to start but its easy to skip past and not miss it. Especially with the chorus which is kind of embarrassing

4. Play My Cards – Production: Battlecat

This track sounds more west coast G Funk than the earlier “west coast album” tracks. With the trumpets and bounce to the background, Kurupt lays down some dope Dogg Food style verses. Tight track, very reminiscent of his Death Row days.

5. We Can Freak It – Production: Battlecat 

Instant classic and one of Kurupt’s best tracks he ever dropped. West coast hit inside out, Kurupt drops one of his best storytelling tracks ever, over the production that just bangs. Any fan of the west could love this track for all its worth. It speaks for itself better than I can say.

6. Fresh – Production: Daz 

The first Daz and Kurupt collabo on this album, and instantly takes you back to the Dogg Pound era. No verses dropped by Daz, but the production he lays out for Kurupt are nothing less than the hits they dropped a few years earlier. Tight track.

7. C Walk ft. Trey Deee – Production: Daz 

Another instant Kurupt classic, and one of his highlights of his career. Daz gives a perfect beat for the verbal assault Kurupt is about to spit on the track. Laid back track but its just fire beginning to end, was later remixed with Tupac (never released) but the original with Trey is much better.

8. Ho’s A Housewife – Production: Kurupt 

The original version of the Kurupt hit that would later appear on his “Streetz” album and Dr. Dre’s 5 mic album “2001”. Its hard to say which version is the best, lyrics are all the same, so it’s a matter of production which are all good in their own right. Another Kurupt highlight of his career.

9. Cant Let That Slide – Production: Twin 

A tight beat, west coast feel to it all the way. Unfortunetely the squirrel voice for a chorus might ruin the track. Kurupt’s storytelling abilities hit a high point this far into the album. Minus the chorus, tight track all the way.

10. That’s Gangsta – Production: Warren G

Teaming up with legendary producer Warren G who helped innovate the west coast sound, it’s a perfect end to the west coast disc. Not so much of a club banger like you’d expect from them, but its an eerie feel to it, and Kurupt lays it down for the strange beat from Warren.

11. Survive Another Day

A slower and deep, dark beat, that Kurupt flows over perfectly. He hits another storytelling high of his career, one of the tracks you just kick back and listen to him tell the story. The chorus fits the track perfectly, dope track.

12. Ask Yourself A Question- Production: Dr. Dre 

Not your typical Dre beat, so don’t get the hopes up for a instant banger. The production might even be the fall off of this track. Kurupt lays down an average set of verses. Not the greatest track on the album.

East Coast Disc

1. It’s a Set Up – Production: D Moet

First listen to the album way back, this was my favorite track on the album. The record static fits the track perfectly, the beat is just bass through the speakers and Kurupt tears the mutha*****a up. It’s a give or take song to most people, but I love this song.

2. Light Shit Up ft. Buckshot – Production: Easy Mo Bee

Kurupt teams up with legendary East coast producer, the way he teamed up with the likes of Daz or Warren G on the west coast disc. Buckshot kicks it off with a dope ass verse, and proves a good duo with Kurupt. Another ill track to start off the East Coast album.

3. Game – Production: D Moet 

D Moet returns with another banging beat for Kurupt to tear up. Track is off the hook, the two of them were a good pair for each other because this far into the album, they’ve dropped two of the dopest tracks on the entire album. Great track.

4. Gimmewhatchagot – Production: MED 

Repetitive and jumpy beat, and Kurupt doesn’t do much to flow over it. The lyrics he drop would be better suited over another type of beat. Bad choice to combine them together, Kurupt does some tight verses, but the song as a whole doesn’t work very well.

5. If You See Me ft. Trigga – Production: Storm 

Very Wutang feel to the track, given, since Storm is famous for doing production for the Clan. First definite East coast track and its odd at first to hear Kurupt on a style of track like this but he doesn’t disappoint. West coast heads will probably be annoyed with it, but it’s a dope track. Loving it.

6. The Life ft. El Drex – Production: D Moet 

A third banging laid back, make you think style track by D Moet. Kurupt and El Drex trade lines back and forth very well with each other. Dope laid back shit, you can picture this track in a movie where someone is in the low point of their life. Tight shit.

7. No Feelings ft. Slop, Patacico – Production: D Moet 

This track is a straight up hit. Kurupt tears up the beat, again D Moet and Kurupt hook up on this east coast disc and again, hit it on the head again. This shit is just fire, Kurupt teaming up with two unknown rappers but you’d never think about it twice, its just a straight hit. One of the best tracks on both discs.

8. Its Time ft. Deadly Venom 

Kurupt hooks up with Deadly Venom, a female rapper who did work with Cappadonna and Wutang. She comes hard over the beat, which is really basic, but the track is just grimey. Gets a little tired before Kurupt finally steps in, if you don’t skip the track before he does. Probably the lowlight of the entire album.

9. I Wanna ft. Ralik Royale, Snake, Floyd, Drea – Production: Devante 

Again, another track to slow down the album. Stupid, unoriginal start to the track mixed with a wack mix of rappers who you hope you never hear from again. Bad song.

10. Who Do U Be – Production: RJ Rice

A more uptempo track that really does nothing to save the album by this point. Kurupt will start to rip but out of nowhere the chorus will kick in, gets annoying when you think hes about to keep tearing the track up. Kurupt does well but as a song together, its wack.

11. Freak It ft. Noreaga

Noreaga’s style of just being repetitive on choruses comes in, if you’re a fan of that, you’ll like it. Noreaga kicks off some dope rhymes over a deep beat. The track is actually pretty good, back in Noreaga’s prime teaming up with a kingpin from the west. Kurupt tears it up. Makes you forget about the last few horrible tracks, if you waited the album out this far.

At the time the album dropped, the rap game was just winding up years of nothing but classic albums on the east and west coast. Kurupt tried to capitalize with both coasts fans, and at the time, let down his fan base in the west while not impressing the people in the east. The album was criticized early, and people quickly put the album away. Looking back at the album today, its hard to believe this could ever be considered a failure. The album has a few weak points on each disc but are very overshadowed by the true hits of the album that people slept on.

Kurupt laid down some highlights of his career with “C Walk”, “We Can Freak It”, “Hos A Housewife”, and that’s just on one disc. On the other, hooking up with D Moet, they worked to drop some straight grimey bangers that should still be in peoples speakers 6 years later. In hindsight this album lyrically is Kurupt’s best output. He kills every track, regardless of the production, which at times is lacking but for the most part is killer. Give the album another listen because its nothing but heat that got lost in an era of classic albums.

Rating – 4/5

Silkk the Shocker – Made Man – 1999 No Limit Records

1. The Day I Was Made – Production: O Dell 

An intro of Silkk becoming a mob made man, a mix of Godfather and Scarface choosing him to join them. Starts into a quiet piano beat and Silkk spits some shit over it. A decent intro to the album with some good lines about life in general.

2. Somebody Like Me ft. Mya – Production: Whole Records

Over a guitar fueled beat, Silkk drops some shit about his past with a lady. A little laid back, serenade with Mya on the hook. Decent for a love track.

3. It Aint My Fault 2 ft. Mystikal – Production: Craig B

a brash beat with Mystikal yelling like a freak in the background. He comes out first yelling like only Mystikal does, fast paced and in your face. The chorus is just horrible, “it aint my fault, it aint my fault…” Boring song.

4. Ghetto Rain ft. Master P – Production: Craig B.

A track over a slower beat, deep and thoughtful. Perfect to the track where P and Silkk talk about their life in the struggle, losing their brother and other hardships. One of the best tracks on this album, deep shit.

5. This Is 4 My – Production: KLC

A piano fueled beat with Silkk doing some spoken word over it. Nothing more than a track of dedications of the album. Rather useless to the album.

6. Commercial One – Skit 

Silkk causing shit with some guy on the street.

7. You Know What We Bout ft. Jay Z – Production: Craig B 

Repetitive beat but it bangs in the speakers a bit. Basic ass lyrics by Silkk, with a weaker flow that mimicks Master P a lot. Its too bad they put Silkk on first because when Jay Z steps in, if people haven’t skipped the track, he puts on a display flowing over a wack beat, and makes it work somehow. He saves a track that was destined for garbage and makes it worth listening to. Shining moment on the track, unfortunately for Silkk, it’s Jay Z that did it.

8. I Want To Be With You – Production KLC 

What’s a rap album without a phone call to/from a girl and the rapper talking about having to work in the studio. Finally Silkk shows some skill at flowing over a beat instead of trying to sound like a typical No Limit track. He hits a highlight with his skills on this track.

9. All Because of You ft. Mia X – Production: KLC

Another track following suit of Slick Rick’s “Lodi Dodi”, Snoop did it great, Silkk on the other hand… not at all, the production of this track is just retarded and not in a good way. It’s just disgusting, the entire track is a mess beginning to end. Horrible, just horrible.

10. No Limit ft. Fiend, Mystikal – Production: KLC 

If you thought the last song was bad, I’ve contested ever since I heard this song for the first time, that it is by far the worst song ever made in rap’s history. This is just a torture to listen to, I highly suggest you do, so you know that no matter how drunk or high you are, you could be a rapper if this ever made a cut onto a major label’s album. I repeat – WORST SONG I’VE EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE.

11. End of the Road ft. Sons of Funk – Production: Sons of Funk 

A deep song about life and how it can go bad in an instant. Over a piano loop, it’s a good output by Silkk, the chorus is perfection to fit the song. A good song if you’re missing a lost one, or to have played at a funeral. One of the highlights of this album. Great track.

12. We Won’t Stop ft. Master P, C Murder – Production: Carlos Stephens 

Three brothers on one track, not often you’d see that in rap. Song about no matter how high they can make it in life, they’ll always be dragged down because of where they came from. A good beat, but they really shouldn’t have yelled over it. Flows are the big drawback to this track.

13. Mr. 99 – Production: KLC 

Finally KLC puts out a beat on this album that doesn’t totally suck. It’s still pretty bad nonetheless. The clicking just rides louder than the rest of the beat, but the constant “MR” yelling in the background makes this track junk. Not that it wasn’t to begin with. Horrible.

14. It Takes More ft. Ghetto Commission – Production: Carlos Stephens

A song about being a thug and gangsta and how people act the part but it takes more than that to be one. Silkk does what he can on a cliché track. Nothing special, but not as bad as most of this album.

15. If I Don’t Make $ – Production: DJ Whop 

When the song first starts it seems like a slight intro before Silkk is about to bust out rapping, but no. He does this through the entire track just barely more than talking over another bad beat. A chorus jacked from DJ Quik’s “Dollaz and Sense”, and true to form, they ruin it.

16. It’s Going Around Outside ft. Rico – Production: Sons of Funk

The Sons of Funk bless this album with another good bout of production for Silkk. They do their best to save this album with tracks like this. Another deep track that Silkk is able to shine over, another track for the fallen.

17. Put It On Something ft. Mia X – Production: Craig B

A good beat for this album, more bass provoking than most of the album this far. Silkk has a decent flow over this one. While on most albums this would be a filler, on this album, its actually one of the better songs.

18. Commercial Two – Skit 

Skit about some *****es walking around a mall complaining. Whatever.

19. Southside Niggas ft. Master P, C Murder – Production: Mo B. Dick

The brothers team up again on the album and over a beat sounding like it was made on a child’s xylophone, they do another sing along pile of shit. The verse by C Murder is actually pretty dope, but still the song isn’t much to it.

20. Get It Up ft. Snoop Dogg – Production: Beats by the Pound 

They end the album off with the best track on the album. Snoop kills this beat, which sounds perfectly suited for the Dogg. This track is fire, possibly the best track Snoop ever made on No Limit. Banger, and west coast style shit. Tight track.

Basically if Silkk isn’t going over a beat by Sons of Funk and doing a memorial type track, or having guests like Snoop and Jay Z, Silkk is trash on this album. Maybe it isn’t him so much as the horrendous production, which proved that KLC is the worst producer of all time. This album includes two of the worst songs ever made in rap with “No Limit” and “All Because of You” back to back. The last song on the album is the only real stand out banger, thanks to Snoop. I wouldn’t be surprised if DJ Quik and Slick Rick sued No Limit after the destruction of their classics by Silkk for defamation of character. Download the songs produced by Sons of Funk, and the last track featuring Snoop. Although you should really hear track 9 and 10 if nothing else for a laugh or if you want to torture somebody by locking them in a room with them playing on repeat.

Rating – 1/5