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Album reviews.

Criminaz – Criminal Activity

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Criminaz - Criminal Activity1. Lockdown(Intro)

Intro.

2. Criminal Activity(Celly Cel)

This is a Celly Cel solo track here and he uses some really dope voice effects for the track, the effects sound like the chorus to Funk Season mixed together. G-Man Stan produces the track and the beat sounds like “187 proof”. Short but good song that shows Celly’s ability. Good

3. Ridaz(Spice 1, Celly Cel, & Jayo Felony)

G-Man Stan produces the beat and he uses 2 Pac’s “Ambitionz Az A Ridah” voice samples, pretty dope stuff with some nice guitar & violin riffs added in. Spice 1 starts it off and his verse is easily the weakest, I’m not a fan of post 1998 Spice 1, he lost his dope flow and just rattles off nonsense. Celly Cel with the next verse and it’s really good. Jayo with the best verse on the track and one of his best verses ever, man he rips it here. Great track. Good

4. Puttin In Work(Celly Cel, Spice 1, & Jayo Felony)

Nice hard hitting beat by Doyle. Jayo starts it off with a dope verse, Jayo is really underrated. Speaking of underrated, Celly Cel does a great chorus and second verse, man he shows some anger here, really dope stuff. Spice 1 with a good verse, it’s a lot better than the last track. Great track. Good

5. N***az Like Us(Celly Cel, Spice 1, & Bun B)

Nice Chi Town style beat here, fast paced. Celly Cel starts it off and he raps fast(!) he does a good job rapid spitting. Terrible chorus here as it’s the title said really slow. Spice 1 with the next verse and he does a great job here, man he goes off here rapid spitting. Bun B is next and he takes his time here, he doesn’t rap fast but he does a good job. Good track. Good

6. My Life(Jayo Felony, Celly Cel, & Spice 1)

Slow paced beat here, a little boring if you ask me and way too sappy. Jayo with the first verse and he ignores the beat and just rips it with a dope verse. Silly chorus here with some girl singing, not very good. Spice 1 also ignores the beat as he does a good job with his verse(Man Spice 1 is motivated on this album!). Celly Cel with the last verse and it’s pretty good(Of course because it’s Celly Cel). Beat and chorus suck but the Criminalz did a pretty good job carrying the track. Average

7. Boss Up(Spice 1, Tray Deee, Yukmouth, & Jayo Felony)

Wow and now we have a recycled song. Beat is not good on this song, in fact it sucks and it was produced by Spice 1 but everyone does a good job with their verses. Tray Deee outshines everyone. Decent track. Average(I cannot stand the sloppy beat)

8. Doin It Big(Celly Cel, Spice 1, & Silk-E)

Good beat here, it’s got some bounce to it, yet has some eerie sounds added. Celly Cel with the first verse and I’ll admit this is a terrible Celly verse. Chorus is terrible, with some guy who has no business singing…….well singing. Silk-E with the next verse and it’s pretty good. Spice 1 with the next verse and it’s decent. Beat was good but everything else was painful to listen to. Wack

9. The Real World(Celly Cel, Jayo Felony, & Spice 1)

Ok now we get back on track. Good beat, it’s got a mobbish sound to it. Celly Cel starts it off with a dope verse. Great chorus here, it’s simple but it gets the job done. Spice 1 with a good verse. Jayo with a decent verse. Good track. Good

10. Reminisce(Celly Cel, Spice 1, & Jayo Felony)

Slower paced beat here, it’s good though. They all rap about their homies they miss and do good jobs doing it. Chorus is decent. Good enough. Good

11. What They Hittin Fo?(Celly Cel, Spice 1, & Jayo Felony)

Really good beat here, it has a laid back feel to it. Spice 1 starts it off with a pretty good verse. Celly Cel with the next verse and he outshines Spice 1, man Celly is overlooked. Speaking of overlooked, Jayo has the last verse and it’s pretty good. Good

12. Rollin Wit My Folks(Celly Cel & Spice 1)

DOPE! The best track on the album! Great beat here, it’s a little odd sounding but it’s good stuff. Spice 1 starts it off with a great verse. Celly Cel & Spice 1 do the chorus and it’s really dope, it has that Ice T “Money Power Women” feel to it. Celly Cel with the last verse and it’s really good. DOPE!

 

All in all this gets a Good rating. This album was overlooked and should atleast be heard. Most def cop it if you’re a fan of Westcoast music……ah hell cop it if you’re a fan of music PERIOD!

K-Os – Joyful Rebellion

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K-Os - Joyful RebellionI had never heard of K-Os before, but hearing about his daring yet clearly Hip-Hop oriented meshing of genres and his conscious style, I decided to check him out. I don’t know if K plays his own guitar, but I would assume so, and he definitely sings as well; very versatile, very talented.

 

1) Emcee Murdah

The track begins with Os commenting on the state of the industry and rap music, then becomes a simplistic but organic-sounding cut, a regretful guitar over violins while K-Os spits a nice verse, not very flow-heavy but really quality lyricism. The sung hook is a nice touch, with improvised rapid riffs. (Great)

2) Crucial

Os brings a more reggaeish feel to this one, though still throwing in riffs here and there. He sings the whole track, the gist of which is “I don’t wanna change the world, I just wanna stop descending.” Later goes into a guitar solo. (Good)

3) Man I Used to Be

Back to more Hip-Hoppins, this is a more aggressive beat with heavier drums, sounds very rock-influenced. Has a compelling sung hook, but the meat of the song is some great lyrics (this time with better flow as well). Ends in a nice guitar/singing improv and a little freestyle. (Excellent)

4) Crabbuckit

A Southern-feeling record, very bass-heavy with some hard kicks, feeling bouncy. Os half-sings/raps the lines, still good. Goes into a sax solo in the middle of the song, after which he launches into another verse. A really jazz-flavored track lit with a catchy hook. (Excellent)

5) B-Boy Stance

Taking it back to the old-school late 80’s style, this was the song’s single. It’s a great breakbeat-style track, with K spitting on people biting when they should be paying dues to the early greats. (Excellent)

6) Commandante

As evidenced by the song’s intro, this is a latin-flavored track with Spanish guitars and rapid drums creating most of the background. K-Os goes right into spitting real lyrics. Relieved at points by a Mariachi-style sung-hook, the verses get more and more fevered. (Excellent)

7) The Love Song

The second single from the album, a euphoric violin/piano combination beat has K-Os spitting/singing nicely about love of music. (Excellent)

8) Hallelujah

With a fair bit of Southern R&B influence, this record is one of spiritual devotion. K-Os strums the guitar and sings with an organ and violin softly playing in the background, giving the impression of a life performance. (Great)

9) Clap Ur Handz

Back to the rap style, a simplistic yet catchy early (early) 90’s beat with a short verse like a live freestyle. (Good)

10) Dirty Water ft. Sam Roberts

A very euphoric, 60’s-sounding record, with Roberts singing a Beatles-style hook and Os rhyming in a very meter-oriented way. He and Roberts then proceed to sing out a happy chorus. (Great)

11) One Hood (Jissy Homicide)

Very simplistic, the first verse seemingly a freestyle over a riffing guitar. A very organic record, not the most hardcore rap but his verses are pretty good and the chorus is nice as well. (Good)

12) Papercutz ft. Kamau

Starts off as another Spanish-styled cut, this one with Latin horns with the guitar. Kamau spits the verses, nice lines with a nice flow, while K-Os sings yet another nice hook. It’s a full 15 minutes long, dominated in the middle by lounge jazz-style piano/bass solos with some scratching in the background. There are a few minutes of silence, followed by the album’s outro, the digitally-altered voice of K-Os addressing the listeners, and a final, expectedly nice verse from K-Os. (Excellent)

My Rating: 5/5 (Classic)

I’m not afraid to rate this a classic album, but it’s not for everybody. This is classic in the sense that, it perfectly accomplishes what it set out to do, mesh genres of music around a central base of Hip-Hop. All in all it’s some great music, but don’t run out expecting traditional rap records like Ready 2 Die, for example. Get this if you like to hear boundaries crossed.

My Recommendation: Buy the shit! If you like experimentation (The Roots, Mos Def) as well as some good positive music, this is MOST DEFINITELY your type of thing.

C-Murder – Trapped in Crime

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C-Murder - Trapped in CrimeIt’s hard to review No Limit’s music, because most people will tell you that it all sounds the same. You have to really be a fan to get their style of quantity over quality. And while most people will tell you that No Limit has a roster of below and average rappers, there are a few that stand out. One of them being C-Murder. It’s not nesecarily his rapping skillz, but the realness that comes with it, and that’s something that his brothers don’t have. That being known, I’m reviewing C’s third solo album, Trapped in Crime.

 

1) Intro: 

Tight way to open up the cd. A lot better than the piano intros on his two first cds. Just him talking over a beat, but nice way to start out the album.

2) Forever TRU:

This song iz dope. C samples ‘Gimme the Loot’ by Biggie, and comes with sneak disses at Cash Money, and two tight ass verses. Def one of the best songz on the album.

3) Concrete Jungle feat. Snoop Dogg, Kokane, Goldie Loc, Tray Dee: 

This is a west coast track w/ Snoop, Kokane, and Tha Eastsidaz. It’s a good song, but not one of the best. Kokane’s hook getz old after hearing it once. But overall, average.

4) They Don’t Really Know You feat. Erica Fox:

This song is trash. P makes it even worse, and the beat sounds like an alarm clock. What makes it even worse, is this was one of the singles. Skip it.

5) How a Thug Like It feat. Da Brat: 

Not a really good song, but not terrible. It’s better then the songs Silkk did with Mya, but that doesn’t mean its good. Brat and C flow decent over a Jermaine Dupri beat, talkin bout how each other likes it.

6) Want Beef feat. Fat Joe: 

Not a bad beat ( Kenoe for Deadly Soundz did it ), but the song is too short, and once again MP ruins it. Fat Joe and C have some aight verses, but MP reppin the No Limit East drags it down.

7) Ride feat. Samm, D.I.G.: 

One of the better songz on the CD with tight features from all three artists. D.I.G. shoulda definatley put an album out. The beat iz hot, the hook is hot. Overall, good song.

8) Staring at the Walls: 

Another great song. This talks about being locked up and wanting to be free. Not a slow song, but not a hype track either. Everything sounds good though, as far as the beat and the flow over it.

9) On Da Block feat. Young Gunz: 

Average song, over an average beat. Nothing stands out, not the features, not the beat. Just average.

10) What You Bout feat. Mystikal:

Tight song over another Kenoe laced beat. This is right after Mystikal left No Limit, but he came hard on his last song w/ C. Everything about the song is Bout It, Bout It. One of the best songs.

11) Battlefield:

Really boring song ( if you want to call it that ). Skip it.

12) Where Do We Go feat. Mac, Silkk the Shocker, Nuance: 

Tight song with a nice beat. Silkk’s verse is nothin that stands out ( what’s new ) but Mac and C-Murder have two on point flows, as the song talks about the ghetto being home.

13) NL Iggaz feat. Afficial: 

Another Kenoe track, and another great song. If he would’ve produced the whole CD, it would’ve been a def. clazzic. C tears it up, followed by average verses from Afficial.

14) Too Much Noise feat. D.I.G., Master P:

Average song w/ D.I.G. ( who sounds like Magic ) and MP. Not bad, not good. Doesn’t stand out at all.

15) Damned if They Murder Me feat. Mac, Ms. Peaches, Magic:

Once again C-Murder and Mac flow perfect on this joint. It’s deep ( which is rare for a TRU/No Limit song ) and definatley one of the BEST songs on the CD.

16) Hustlin feat. Master P, Krazy:

In my opinion, Master P appeared on too many joints already, but on this song he actually doesn’t ruin it. Krazy ( who many people think sounds like Tupac ) has probably the best verse. C comes average, but the beat is good, and its about Hustlin in the ghetto.

17) That Calliope:

Not really a song, just C representing the CP3. Tight beat, but the original version ( unreleased ) is better. Average song.

18) Young Thugs feat. Popeye, Holloway of the Ghetto Commission:

Another one of the highs of the album, talks about young thugs and the mistakes they be makin in the game. Popeye’s flow goes hard, and C and Holloway come correct. Good song.

19) Otis Commercial:

Commercial where C messes with a girl on the phone for playin Soulja Slim.

20) Interlude:

Funny 40 second song about nuttin in a girls eye.

21) They Want My Money feat. Mac, Mia X: 

It’s good to hear Mia X on a NL song again, and she comes tight as she always did. Mac and C couldve started a group though, with the chemistry they got on the mic. They saved the song, it’s about hoes wantin money.

22) Thug in Yo Life feat. Krazy:

Good song about spittin game at a girl. Krazy and C’s flows are on point, over a nice beat.

23) Down 4 My N’s feat. Snoop Dogg, Magic:

As stated in the NL Top Dogg review, this song is a KLC produced joint with hard verses from everyone, but Magic has the tightest. Good pick for a single.

24) Street Thugs feat. New-9, Magic:

Decent song, not the best way to end the album though, it could’ve been better.

 

Overall, this cd is a classic to me. It’s not C-Murder’s best album, but it definatley deserves some recognition. I’d give it a 4/5.

Brother Ali – Shadows On The Sun

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Brother Ali - Shadows On The SunBrother Ali is one of the most underrated rappers of all time. He is an underground rapper who posses many skills giving him the ability to rip up the mic with either a prewritten verse, freestyle or a battle. Brother Ali is one of the most coherent lyricists around today and he can rip up most people who are ever on the other side of the mic. Very few people rival his lyricism which he perfectly coats all his tracks with. Brother Ali is one of the greatest underground rappers around today.

 

A Room With A View 

A simply remarkable track to start off this astounding album with. An astonishing track with tremendous lyrics. :One of the best tracks from the album. A striking narrative laced with shocking lyricism. This track is simply one of the best.

Champion 

The champion flows with a amazing vitality. The only downside to this track is the hook is a bit off. For that sole reason this track may take a while to get into. But aside from that his lyrics are up to speed and it is a great track. Very few rock with this champion.

Star Quality

A softer track lined with lyrics full of reflection. It is slower and extremely steady. Brother Ali comes smoothly with nice lyrics which contain emotions and truth. A great track aside from the slightly annoying chorus.

Prince Charming 

A great track. Brother Ali’s delivery is slightly different on this track. It loses it’s edge and adopts a more playful tone. Ali comes with witty lyrics which make the song an enjoyable one.

Win Some Lose Some 

A good track. His lyrics take a bit of a dip on occasion throughout the track but it doesn’t detract much from the track. His flow is a bit choppy but it manages to sustain some of his usual style. He wins with some lyrics, he loses with some others.

Pay Them Back 

A truly terrific track. Ali comes with some amazing lyrics which come at the listener head on. He showcases his “poetic eloquence” on it with some thoughtful lyrics. One of the better tracks on the album.

Blah Blah Blah (feat. Slug) 

A good track. Considering the artists on it an the potential for brilliance this track was slightly disappointing. Both Slug and Ali came correct but the track on a whole could have been better. It was a still a high-quality track but it had the capability to be superior.

Shadows On The Sun 

The title track does not disappoint. Brother Ali delivers some subtle lyricism. It is all around a good track. The beat may get a bit irritating but at the end, it’s the lyrics which are more important for this artist.

Prelude 

A simple prelude. Nothing good, nothing bad. Wasn’t necessary but it didn’t detract too much from the album.

Forest Whitiker

A great track. Brother Ali lays this track out so simply; his flow, his delivery; basically everything aside from his lyrics. This track is extremely different from the rest of the album. It’s a breath of fresh air amidst originality.

*****slap! 

This is like a battle track. A simple track where Ali lashes out viciously at many unnamed MCs. He basically takes a lot of the rappers around out for a lesson. He gives them a major slap from all quarters. A great track.

Backstage Pacin’ 

A superb track. A narritive on Brother Ali. It’s basically countless thoughts flowing through his head before he goes on stage. On this great track he certainly grasps control on the situation.

When The Beat Comes In 

Brother Ali’s delivery on this track has a slight edge. His self-proclaimed arrogant words on this track describe him almost flawlessly. Ali murders the track with his lyrics and narrative. He rips the mic every time there’s a beat.

Missing Teeth (feat. Slug) 

Yet another Slug featured track, and this one is better than the other. Slug comes nicely on this track. His flow is lazy and unusual. But it is Brother Ali who shines on this track. Together, they make a great duo.

Dorian 

A great track mixed with great lyrics. It’s a great narrative about himself for the most part. The haughtiness on this track is well-fitted for a rapper of his stature. An amazing track as he basically takes the listener on a journey with him.

Soul Whisper 

A short track which contains a few quotable lines compressed within so they can sometimes pass unnoticed. This is one of the weaker tracks on the album.

Picket Fence 

One of the best tracks on the album. A beautiful track with stunning imagery powered by masterful lyricism. Brother Ali relates to the listener no matter what their background may be. This is a tremendous track and almost alters the way of thinking with some of the skilfully played metaphors.

Victory (Come Forward) 

A great track. Brother Ali dishes out powerful lyrics with his amazingly raw flow. Brother Ali spits incredibly on this track. He’s upfront and extremely secure with his well fitted skills. A truly amazing track.

 

This album is a definite recommendation for the avid hip-hop fan that listens closely to lyrics. His complexity may not be appreciated by all but this lyrical album is a must have to fans of artists such as Slug, Tonedeff, Sage Francis, Canibus, Big L and many others. This jewel may be difficult to find but it is worth scouring CD racks for. One of the best releases of 2003. Brother Ali is a must have for fans of true underground rap fans. There is no doubt about this almost classic being a masterpiece.

Rating:

4.7/5.0

X-raided – Psycho Active

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X-raided - Psycho Active1. “Tha Murder”

Just a short intro, X-raided pretends to be a pizza delivery man and shoots the guy who opens the door N/R

2. “Still Shooting”

Gunshots from the intro leads into this track, X-Raided comes in spittin some of those sicc lyrics “I’m a killa the motha*****in X to the R-A-I-D-E-D L-O-C smokin niggas like some green bud” good oldschool beat, the hook is a bunch of sampling good hook, this is a great track to start off this album one of the best on the album 5/5

3. “Call Tha Guardz”

Tight oldschool beat, no hook on this track just more sampling, hard lyrics by X-raided “lable me insane and a dope dealer, now add this your list of cop killas”, on this track X-raided tells some good stories tight song overall 5/5

4. “Who’s Tha Hoe?”

This track start off with a little talking, X-raided talks about how easy it is to get some hoes, some good lyrics more story telling lyrics here, the hook is good they repeat “who’s the hoe” over and over, another good oldschool beat great song overall 5/5

5. “Crazy Than A Mutha *****”

Starts off with Brotha Lynch doing some talking, X-raided comes in with some more sicc lyrics, great beat on this track, no hook just some talking with scatching, X-raided comes hard on this song is, one of my favorites tight overall 5/5

6. “Every Single *****”

X-raided comes in talking about *****es and hoes and how easy it is to get some hoes, tight oldschool beat, X-raided comes hard on this track, the hook is X-raided talking with some sampling, ends with X-raided giving a few shout outs, great song overall 5/5

7. “*****in Wit A Psycho”

This song is crazy, X-raided comes real hard on this song with some sicc psycho lyrics “i’m looking for a slaughter some jack the ripper shit,so I take a ***** and stick a fat knife in her *****” he tells a story, tight oldschool beat here, the hook is some sampling, overall this is a tight song bump this one load probably my favorite on the album 5/5

8. “***** Killa”

X-raided spits somemore pyscho lyrics on this track “it’s halloween, and i got a treat, i’m dressed like a devil and i’m handing out human meat”, he talks about killing about a *****es” I was squeezing trigger hella tight, Like twenty shells I let her have it to the face, when smoke cleared there wasn’t a mother*****ing trace”tight oldschool, the hook is somemore sampling, crazy lyrics on this track, great song overall 5/5

9. “Everybody Killa”

Good beat on this track more oldschool beat, X-raided comes with some tight lyrics he flows real tight on this track short track with X-raided just flowin tight track 5/5

10. “Shoot Cha In A Minute”

X-raided comes with somemore hard lyrics here “Tha Murder, yeah, I got something to do with it, cause I shoot cha punk ass in a minute” another good oldschool beat, X-raided does the hook pretty tight, great song overall 5/5

11. “That’s How My Trigga Went” (feat. Brotha Lynch Hung, Sicx)

X-raided doesn’t have a verse on this track its just Brotha Lynch & Sicx rippin the mic up with some sicc ass lyrics, Brotha Lynch spits first he comes with some real sicc lyrics i’m feeling his flow more than Sicx, Sicx spits next with some sicc lyrics good flow, hard beat on this track, just a short track with Brotha Lynch & Sicx no hook here,just flowin tight song overall 5/5

12. “That Sickness” (feat. Kaos, Big-O, Brotha Lynch, Young Meek, Cyco)

Starts off with Brotha Lynch doing some talking, X-Raided spits first with some tight lyrics more of the psycho shit, “If I can’t beat cha, the gat will defeat cha” he has the best flow on this track, X-Raided does a little talking before Brotha Lynch’s verse, Lynch has a tight ass verse with some sicc lyrics i’m feeling his flow,everyone else has some good flows, X-raided spits another verse last, tight oldschool beat here, great track overall everyone has a good flow good features here, great way to end the album 5/5

 

Overall, X-raided’s debut album is a classic, good production by Brotha Lynch a lot of oldschool beats and sampling which was tight and good features as well this is probably X-Raided’s hardest album, his lyrics on then album were used to convict him of murder, if you don’t got this album go and pick it up it’s classic

Yo Gotti – Back 2 Da Basics

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Yo Gotti - Back 2 Da Basics1. That’s What’s Up(Intro)
Drumma Boy produces a hyped up horn heavy beat. Wow, this is pretty great, and this is only the intro. I’m digging Yo Gotti’s energy here. He channels Pastor Troy here, but he doesn’t jack his whole style or anything, and it works for the track. Gotti says ‘What up?” to a bunch of people. Great way to start the album. Good

2. I Got Them(Feat LiL Wayne & Baby)
Fate Eastwood produces a really hard hitting Southern style beat complete with a ton of scratch samples. Wayne starts it off with a pretty good verse. You know, I’m not a huge Wayne fan, I mean, I can see the appeal and all, but he just seems uninspired most of the time. The chorus consists of scratches(Which is a great thing) and constant “Dope man! Dope man! Dope man!” sayings. Gotti up next and he outshines Wayne here, because he actually shows some energy here. Baby with the last verse and….well….it’s Baby, so it may not be great lyrics, but he’s still entertaining. If you’re expecting great inspiring lyrics from Baby, then you should go look elsewhere. Great track. Good

3. Full Time
Electric guitar type synth here. I don’t like the starting, because it sounds so hokey. Gotti shows a ton of energy here though, which is always a good thing. Gotti talks about avoiding the cops, and being a full time hustler. This is like a weird mixture of New Orleans rap & Memphis rap. Needless to say, it really works well. Good stuff. Good

4. Where I’m At
We slow things down just a little bit here, but the beat still maintains that certain hard hitting bounce to it. Gotti switches up his flow here a bit, he goes for a more low voiced approached as opposed to his energetic style. Yea, this is catchy. Good

5. U A Gansta Rite
Well, we go from sort of relaxing to straight up rowdy style. This track is about all the fakes who try to be gangsta, because they listened to some rap, or watched it on TV, but when it’s time to fight, they run away scared. Gotti does a really good job here getting the point across. Good track. Good

6. Spend It Cuz You Got It(Feat Allstar)
Pretty self explanitory here, and I agree with them. Why not have fun and spend some money? Total flossmode stuff here. Gotti does a good job mixing the Atlanta sound, Orleans sound, & Memphis sound all in one track. Good track. Good

7. Cold game
Nice horn heavy beat, but the starting with the singing is just bad. It gets pretty good after that though. Gotti talks about not going to jail, and trying to take his time to make some money. Good track. Good

8. Gangsta Party(Feat Bun-B & 8-Ball)
Easily the best track on the album. Carlos Broady(Who is probably one of the most underrated producers ever) produces a really great soul mixed with Memphis bounce beat. Eightball starts it off and just flows really well over this beat. Great chorus here, very simple but it works. Gotti up next and the beat changes a bit, so what does Gotti do? He rapid spits. That was pretty great. This is the perfect mixture of car music & dance music. Bun-B is up next and of course he rips the track to pieces. Bun-B’s a guy who could make any track sound good. Wow, that was really great. DOPE!

9. That’s What They Made It Foe(Feat Pooh Bear)
Scott Storch produces a pretty good beat(Which Gotti admits he paid a nice chunk of change to get). It’s simple, but it has a Miami style to it. Great chorus here, it’s pretty simple and the singing adds a lot to it. Both men comes tight. Good

10. 25 To Life
Carlos Broady produces another great beat, that mixes hard Memphis style with soul. Gotti does a good job with wordplay, and telling a story about someone going to court and then jail. Nice reflective track. Good

11. That’s Not Yo *****
Electric guitar type synth here, with a piano thrown in. It’s decent. Gotti raps about how women can set you up, and goes into detail about how he trusted some women. This was really a well thought out track, that really will make you think. Good

12. Shawty Violating(Wup That How)(Feat La Chat)
We go full Memphis style here, complete with the repeated choruses. Gotti up first with a really good verse. La Chat up next and she does a good job, it’s nice to hear her get some cd time. Rowdy type track. Good

13. I’m A Thug(Feat D’Nero From The BlockBurnaz)
Hard hitting track here. This is something you can get crunk to, and would probably incite a riot if it was played at a club. Gotti admits he’s a thug, and he will beat you up if you test him. D’Nero does a pretty good job as well. Good

14. We Gonna Be Alright
Carlos Broady produces a softer soulful type beat. Gotti raps about everything is going to be alright, and that he’ll(Gotti) will support them. Wow, this track is really great, and it’s nice to hear a rapper make an emotional track like this. Good

15. A Part Of Thugs(Feat Jazze Pha)
Carlos Broady produces another really great soulful type beat. Isn’t it odd? Jazze Pha on the track, yet Broady produces? That rules. Jazze does the chorus, and he does a good job. Will Carlos Broady every get his props? Anyway, Gotti rules it here as he talks about getting caught up, and not having time with his woman. Great track. Good

16. Warrior
I don’t like this track at all. It has a hard hitting LiL Jon-like beat, but it’s about how a woman looks like a warrior. I’m not digging this at all. Wack

17. Shawty(Feat D’Nero From Block Burnaz)
Now this is what I’m talking about. Great heavy hitting Memphis style track. They both come tight, and show enough energy to power Las Vegas. Great way to end the album. Good

 

All in all this gets a Good rating. Yo Gotti took elements from New Orleans, Atlanta, & Memphis, and put them on one album. The end result is a great album that should be worth a listen. COP IT!

MF Doom – MM..Food?

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MF Doom - MM..Food?1. Beef Rapp

Long intro to this track, we’re talking a good 2 minutes but once it gets started it really gets good. Doom raps about the usual(Himself, food, beer, and jibberish). Beat is done by Doom and it’s really good, it has that Operation Doomsday feel to it. Great track to get the album started. Good

2. Hoe Cakes

Doom produced this track, ok to get this out of the way, Doom produced most of the beats on this album except 3 and I’ll address those when I get to them. Nice piano beat here with a beat box. Doom raps about a lady and does it in a way where it doesn’t seemed cliche’d. Good track. Good

3. Potholderz(Feat Count Bass D)

Count Bass D produced the track and it’s a little weird but it’s pretty good. The Count starts it off with a short semi verse then Doom takes over for a little while then The Count again with a verse to end the track. Pretty good track, it shows that Count Bass D is a really overlooked producer. Good

4. One Beer

MADLIB!!!!! produces this track and it’s pretty good but I think he could’ve done better. Lyrics are all over the place but that’s Doom for you. Good track. Good

5. Deep Fried Frenz

Pretty good beat, I can’t really explain it. Track is about friends and how you can or cannot depend on them depending on your state of mind. Doom’s using voice samples to end tracks these days and not a 30 second sample but about a minute or so sample(s), I’m not complaining but it’s a little weird and too Madlib-ish. Good

6. Poo Putt Platter

Skit.

7. Fillet O Rapper

Another voice sample skit.

8. Gumbo

ANOTHER SKIT?!? This is overkill.

9. Fig Leaf Bi

Carbonate-Very long instrumental/skit here.

10. Kon Karne

Nice piano beat here, we waste no time here as Doom gets right into the rapping. Semi relaxing song. Good

11. Guinnesses(Feat Angelika & 4ize)

One of my fav Doom beats of all time, this beat has been around for a little while, glad Doom used it for some rapper. Angelika does the rapping here and she does a pretty good job. The chorus is a little weird but all in all a really good song. Good

12. Kon Queso

PNS Of The Molemen does the beat and it’s basic, not really feeling it. Doom carries the track though. Good(Doom raised the score)

13. Rapp Snitch Knishes(Feat Mr. Fantastik)

Nice guitar type beat here by Doom. Both come tight here. Good

14. Vompitspit

This beat sounds like a J-Zone beat, but Doom produced it and of course it’s pretty dope. Doom raps his usually jibberish, good stuff. Good

15. Kookies

Ok so this is the semi single on the album and was praised by Doom fans before the album came out and it lives up to its hype. Doom uses “Cookies!” samples throughout, cookie monster would be proud. Song is about….well of course COOKIES!!!! Great way to end the album. Good

 

All in all this gets a Good rating, nothing in between just all Good tracks, nothing mind blowing but I really wasn’t expecting it since Operation Doomsday is a personal classic to me. The cover art is a sheer classic though. Cop this if you’re a Doom fan or looking for something new.

Ganksta NIP – The South Park Psycho

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Ganksta NIP - The South Park PsychoGanksta NIP – The South Park Psycho
Year Released 1992

 

1. Intro

Just an Intro He introduces himself as “the craziest mutha*****in rapper on earth” and he gives a few shout out, he shouts out rap-a-lot too

2. Horror Movie Rap

This track starts off this crazy album, Ganksta NIP start it off with a nursery rhyme type hook then he starts flowing with some crazy lyrics “after twelve o’clock my blood turns hot pink” “A thousand dead cut-up elephants in my luggage” , good beat on this track, track ends with the same hook as the beginning, great way to start the album, one of the best tracks on the album
5/5

3. Get Out of the Game (feat. Dope E)

Starts of with Dope E doing the hook and its good, an oldschool type beat, Ganksta NIP comes in with some more of the crazy lyrics talking about the dope game “A nigga snitched, he *****ed my connection, they found parts of his daddy’s head in every direction” Dope E does the third verse good flow Nip does another short verse after Dope E, great track here
5/5

4. Rough Brothers from South Park (feat. Point Blank, Dope E, K-Rino)

Good Beat, Starts off with Ganksta Nip doing some talking, K-Rino has the first flow and its tight as ***** “rocked the mic till it was on the ground bleeding saying oh shit” Dope E comes next he has a good verse, Point Blank is next with a cool flow, Ganksta Nip is last and he spits more of those crazy lyrics he comes real hard here, Triple 6 does a little scratching at the end, sicc track overall
5/5

5. Black Godfather 

Good oldschool beat here with a little sampling, Ganksta Nip comes in with some more hard ass lyrics he talks about being the Godfather, the hook is a bunch of sampling another some talking at the end great track here
5/5

6. Psycho

Tight ass oldschool beat here im feeling this one, Ganksta Nip comes in with more crazy lyrics “I’m fittin to kick ass, Breast feed new born babies with unleaded gas” the hook is sampling has an ice-t sample in it tight hook, this is one of my favorites on this album can say anything else about this one just bump it loud
5/5

7. Action Speaks Louder Than Words (feat. Scarface, Willie D, Seagram) 

This tracks starts off with a phone call, the hook is tight here, Scarface is first and comes with a tight flow im feeling it, Ganksta Nip spits second and he comes real hard on this one, Willie D is next with a hard flow, Seagram from the 69th Curbs is last to spit and has a real tight verse im feeling it,good beat, a tight ass track overall good features on this one
5/5

8. Ganksta Mac

Starts off with Ganksta Nip talking, He flows about being a mac, a good oldschool, Nip flows with some more hard lyrics he talks about getting paid, a decent hook on this one, but this is a good track overall
4/5

9. Smokin’ Amp

Track starts off with Ganksta Nip & Triple Six smoking, then ganksta nip comes in with more hard lyrics “I kept hitting now my brains on fire I felt like stuffing mother*****ers in a dryer” no hook here just Triple Six & Ganksta Nip doing some talking Nip does three verses, a decent beat here, a crazy track here
5/5

10. Disgusting

Ganksta Nip flows about crazy shit his lyrics are what the track title says “disgusting”, a decent beat on here, he does some talking no hook, a decent track here probably my least favorite on the album
3.5/5

11. H-Town

Ganksta Nip does some talking, he comes hard again talking about houston some good lyrics here, a pretty good beat, the hook is more sampling a good track here
4/5

12. Slaughter

Starts off with some talking, Ganksta Nip comes in with some crazy lyrics he talks about killing crooked cops on this track, he comes real angry on this track, the hook is sampling again, another good track
5/5

13. Paranoid

Good beat on this track, Ganksta Nip flows with some more sicc ass lyrics on this track, the hook is some sampling a good track overall
4.5/5

14. Damned Shame

Starts off with some talking, good beat here, Ganksta Nip comes in talking about how it is growing up in south park, he switches his style a little bit here he doesnt have those crazy lyrics on this track,but its a good switch no this song, the hook is a little talking with some sampling a good track a good way to end this crazy album
5/5

 

Overall This is a classic southern album, definitly one of the hardest albums ever to come out, alot of tight songs on here and oldschool beats, good features, Ganksta Nip comes with those crazy insane lyrics on this album, this album is out of print but if you see this one definitly pick it up, ive seen it going on ebay for $100.

VA – Celly Cel Presents: Live From the Ghetto

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VA - Celly Cel Presents: Live From the Ghetto 1. Dirty Work(B-Legit)

You know naming yourself after a great movie won’t equal a great song and this just proves it. Beat is by Bosko and it’s as basic as it gets, really boring stuff here as B-Legit raps about making money and what not, yawn. Wack

2. Let’s Get High(AllFrumThaI Feat Boo Kapone)

Nice beat here(By Binky Mac), really relaxing. This has a older feel to it and that’s a good thing. Chorus is a little silly but it gets the job done. Good

3. All In Your Face(Marvaless)

Some people don’t like Hollis’ beats and I believe those people smoke crack. Hollis produces a pretty good relaxing beat here, Hollis is one of the bright spots in the Bay/No-Cal scene. Marvaless does a good job here, she’s overlooked, you know people throw around the word “Remy Martin” and “Foxy Brown” around a lot but Marvaless is better than both. Good

4. Murder(Kingpin Skinny Pimp)

Weak track, you know I’m glad Celly is trying to make this compilation different but I cannot stand this Memphis rap, way too boring for me with slow “dark” beats and the word “murder” said a million times. Skip this. Wack

5. Goodfellas(Rich The Factor & Rush N Roulette)

Rich is a pretty good rapper, he had a different style and I dig that. Beat is mobbish and good. Rush also does a good job. Good

6. Thug S**t(SPM, Frost, Jay Tee, Rasheed, LiL One, & Bad Boy)

Yikes talk about a cluster***** ready to happen and it does just that. SPM is one of the worst rappers I have ever heard, seriously how can people like this guy? Not a bad track though, it’s sloppy but I like the beat and some of these guys do a good job. Good

7. Here Come The Stranglaz(Celly Cel Feat The Hillside Stranglaz)

Bouncy beat here, good stuff. Celly Cel does a good job introducing the Stranglaz, whatever happened to these guys? They weren’t that bad, and where is Celly Cel? He’s one of the best Bay Rappers ever, I’d cop a new Celly album. Anyway good track. Good

8. Go To War(Ghetto Mafia)

Beat is pretty good albeit simple. The rapping on this track is sloppy but it actually works. Not that bad of a track, in fact it’s pretty good. Good

9. You Know The Deal(San Quinn, Fully Loaded, The Riddla, & Willie Hen)

Done Deal track here, decent line up of rappers. Not bad of a track though I think San Quinn is heavily overrated. Everyone comes tight. Good

10. How Many B**chez(Richie Rich, Young C Major, & Hogg Boss)

I like the beat, the album title is goofy and the subject matter is stale but it works. Richie Rich actually sounds interested here. Good

11. All I Know(MC Eiht)

Beat is decent, nothing great or anything. MC Eiht hasn’t been good since Section 8 so I’m not feeling him here. Average

12. Biank Zone(Tech N9ne & Don Juan)

DOPE!!! Tech gets things started with a great intro, then Don Juan rips the first verse. I dig the beat, nice mob style beat. Tech takes the second verse and rips it, he doesn’t go crazy on the track, he takes it a little slow here and he still rips it. Chorus is basic but it fits. Don Juan with the third verse and it’s pretty good. Tech with the fourth verse and it’s the best on the song. Track is pretty crazy. DOPE!

13. Connected(Big Pokey & Nino of PKO)

I like the beat by Nino, it has an old school H-Town feel to it, sort of like something Fat Pat would rap on. Pokey is terrible, utterly awful. Nino does a pretty good job on his verse. Good

14. For Da Hood(Celly Cel)

G-Man Stan produced the beat and it’s not that good. Celly Cel tries his best but this track is just not that good and it’s all because of the beat. Average(For Celly’s work)

15. What Would You Do(Luni Coleone, Skee 64, & Mad Dog)

Hollis produces a pretty good beat here. Luni starts it off with a good verse. The chorus is weird but pretty good. Everyone comes tight here. Good

16. Live From The Ghetto(Riderlife)

Decent track, they try and everything but this album should’ve ended after the Luni track. Average

17. Get Em Up(Felony One)

Weak track, really boring, yup this album most def should have ended after the Luni track. Wack

18. Iz Ya Wit Me?(J-Biggz Feat Cool Nutz & Sarkastic)

No I’m not with you, in fact your track isn’t that good. I just don’t care about any of these guys and they make average music to boot, the first guy is really bad talking about parsley and Bob Marley. Don’t care. Wack

 

All in all this gets a Good rating, pretty good concept here as Celly was trying to bring all the sides together, it worked for the most part. Underrated compilation that should’ve atleast gotten some props. This album serves as a pretty good blue print.

The Game – The Documentary

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The Game - The DocumentaryWhen I first heard The Game, I kinda liked him. He didn’t suck, he wasn’t excellent, and (in my mind) he definitely didn’t deserve the hype he was getting. My opinion of him hasn’t really changed since then. Through months of the newest G-Unit member’s bragging about being the one to bring the West Coast back into the center of the mainstream I looked forward to this album simply waiting to see if–and hoping–he could prove it.

 

1) Intro (Produced by Dr Dre)

Just an intro.

2) Westside Story ft. 50 Cent (Produced by Dr Dre & Scott Storch)

The beat comes in first. It’s pretty good, a deep piano chord with a higher piano chord over it; only problem being it gets a bit repetitive. For being produced by two of the hottest single-producers past and present, it’s pretty disappointing. Game begins by shouting out various gangs (how else?)..his first verse is pretty good, though a bit simple and lacking in substance (nothing WOW) but it’s not bad, either. This continues through the rest of the song. 50 Cent jumps on the chorus, yelling Westside. (Decent)

3) Dreams (Produced by Kanye West)

For Kanye, this beat is exceptionally simple. The producer seems like a shadow of himself by this beat–no soul, no chanting chorus, no catchiness, though it has his trademark strings near the chorus. The sample of a man chanting “dream” in the background gets annoying, though it’s clearly supposed to be used like Fabolous used Blaze’s “breathe,” though it doesn’t seem to work quite as well. Game again shouts out his producer and pretty much everyone else, while simultaneously boasting about his own life. (Poor)

4) Hate it Or Love it ft. 50 Cent (Produced by Cool & Dre)

Here, finally, is a catchy beat. Complex snare with a solid kick, over an upbeat Christmas-sounding slightly jazzy xylophone/sax chord. 50 comes on first; typically, his flow is on point, though his lyrics are lacking. He again sings the chorus, joined by Game–chorus being the best part of the song after the beat. Game’s lyrics are a bit better on this one, but AGAIN shouts out 3 or 4 people. (Good)

5) Higher (Produced by Dr Dre & Mark Baston)

The second single. The beat, being a little more layered, is better than Westside Story’s; four synth keys and a short chord, with some dramatic horns in the background. Game gets right down to shouting out other artists, though otherwise his verse is decent and flow is good. The chorus is good and catchy, but still involves shoutouts, as does the rest of the song. Good club track. (Good)

6) How We Do ft. 50 Cent (Produced by Dr Dre & Mike Elizondo)

The beat, again a simple one, is at least a bit catchy; it consists mostly of a high string and a dramatic, deeper chord. Game’s first verse (and those following) are below average, plus his flow is off. 50, singing the chorus again, manages to be forgettable..his verse is pretty bad but his flow, at least is on point. (Decent)

7) Don’t Need Your Love ft. Faith Evans (Produced by Havoc)

It’s a shame, really. The first really good beat on the CD, Havoc seeming to recover from his Amerikaz Most Wanted slump, with a Kanye style sample all warped and screwed over a sullen chord…and Game’s rapping starts to sound like 50 Cent’s–but only until about mid-verse, then it jumps back up to average. Faith on the chorus sounds angellic, fitting almost perfect over the Hav track. Game’s second verse is better, but overall what was clearly supposed to be a deep cut simply isn’t done right. (Decent)

8) Church For Thugs (Produced by Just Blaze)

This is a beat that sounds very little like Blaze’s usual production. Over upbeat horns and a marching drum, Game demonstrates his half-thought-out attempts at combining consciousness with gangsterism: “I just shot a video for it and spent half the budget/I’m Gangsta!/Let the 40 Cal go in public/More hatred inside my soul than Pac had for Deloris Tucker/” followed directly by “Every time one of my niggas get shot, the more I suffer/Cuz we trapped inside a world where you forced to die for your colors/” (Poor)

9) Put You On the Game (Produced by Timbaland)

This particular beat sounds very southern, very much like Tim’s usual. It’s a pretty nice beat. Game spits typical, by-now-boring shout out/car/gangstaness which is supposed to represent his life. (Poor)

10) Start From Scratch ft. Marsha of Floetry (Produced by Dr Dre & Scott Stortch)

The beat is less minimalist than the last Dre/Stortch cut, in fact it’s pretty good. Game spoke on his cut in an interview, the one where he comes into the studio drunk and spits; he never should have done that, since it completely destroys the beat and Marsha’s singing, what could have been The Game’s own Many Men. (Poor)

11) The Do*****entary (Produced by Jeff Bhasker)

It seems a more aggressive beat spurs Game on to spit more aggressively; his flow is better here, over an ever-changing beat several layers deep, a hard chord with electric guitar riffs and a high string–basically what Dre’s beats should still sound like. Through above-average verses, the chorus is the best part of the song: “I was Ready 2 Die without a Reasonable Doubt/Smoke Chronic and hit it Doggystyle Before I Go Out/Until they sign my Death Certificate, All Eyes On Me/I’m Still At It, Illmatic and that’s the Do*****entary/” Game’s whole album SHOULD sound like this. (Good)

12) Runnin ft. Tony Yayo (Produced by Hi-Tek)

Tek’s beats are usually good, and so is this one–more because of the crooning over the backdrop than the uniform drums and feverish string that make up the track itself. Game relies on his usual, the widely effected three-syllable rhyme style, once again. His lyrics are slightly more metaphorical, but it obviously takes effort not to start shouting out people or telling us what he drives (he does let us know what shoes he wears). Yayo drops a pretty bad verse, nothing really rhymes and he reuses the same words (with the same meaning) several times. (Decent)

13) No More Fun and Games (Produced by Just Blaze)

Ironically, the album’s most G-Funk-sounding beat comes from a New Jersey producer who routinely does tracks with New York and Philly artists…Blaze. It’s a good beat, though, a funk sample with a “crowd” that gives the song the atmosphere of a party, and makes Game’s lyrics secondary. (Good)

14) We Ain’t ft. Eminem (Produced by Eminem)

It’s not a great beat (as you can imagine) but it’s not a horrible beat, either (a step up for Shady). With Eminem on the track, Game can’t resist shouting him out about three times in the first verse; on the upside, he raps about releasing racial tension, but on the downside he probably only does it cuz he feels he has to. Em’s verse is one of the best I’ve heard him spit in a long time, both lyrically and flow-wise. Game’s second verse sounds ghostwritten, it’s in Em’s style. (Good)

15) Where I’m From ft. Nate Dogg (Produced by Focus)

The Aftermath staff producer does a good job with this one; nicely laid back, with Nate crooning the hook, it just sounds good. However, Game’s first verse is probably the biggest orgy of name, car and shoes-shouting on the entire CD. The rest of them are decent, but again just average. (Decent)

16) Special ft. Nate Dogg (Produced by Needlz)

Needlz is an unknown producer to me, but if this beat is anything to go by he’s got some skills. It’s a catchy, slightly warped chord over a shuffly snare with an upbeat kick. The beat and Nate’s hook overshadow Game’s rhymes; a good club track. (Good)

17) Don’t Worry ft. Mary J Blige (Produced by Dr Dre & Mike Elizondo)

This loungy backdrop suits Mary J’s vocals nicely, and the transformation when Game starts to rap is both seemless, though it becomes really simple. Game’s rhymes are decent, as a ladies song it’s not bad (better than Banks’ Smile) but that’s because of the beat and Mary J, not Game. (Decent)

18) Like Father, Like Son ft. Busta Rhymes (Produced by Buckwild)

The beat is nice, pretty emotional; Busta does a nice job on the chorus, unfortunately that’s all he does. Game has all three verses, and they’re not bad. (Good)

 

Average. Pretty much everything is average, disappointing for someone so hyped. His lyrics aren’t especially skilled, and consist mostly of telling us who he runs with, what he drives and what he’s wearing on his feet. While many of the beats are good, none of them (except maybe one) sound particularly West Coast, and there are NO west MCs on here whatsoever…I dunno how he can claim to bring the west back, when he doesn’t rep the west!

Overall Rating: 3/5 (Average)

My Recommendation: Download, keep the ones you like. Or get the instrumental CD.