Lord Finesse – Funky Technician

Posted on March 4, 2013 by WWC

Album: Funky Technician
Artist: Lord Finesse
Label: Wild Pitch
Year: 1990

The funky technician, Lord Finesse is one of the most underrated rappers ever. A legend of underground rap, Lord Finesse did not get much commercial success. He had a legion of dedicated fans but aside from that, word about him went from person to person. A member of Diggin’ In The Crates [DITC], he managed to change underground rap. He even introduced Big L, the Harlem legend to the rap scene. He achieved great underground status and secured his spot as one of those, unheard of legends.

This album is on point. Finesse comes with sick lines although they don’t really hit the leisurely listener. One has to be on the look out for the lines, which just pop out in the midst of a song. His delivery may be difficult to get into, but it is because of this uniqueness that separates him from other rappers. His funky flow is matched only by the words that come out of his mouth. It’s as though he is simply freestyling through out the entire album.

The guest appearances fit perfectly. Andre the Giant [AG] and Finesse make a deadly combination. According to legend, Andre the Giant was the only man to come close to defeating Finesse in a head to head battle. It’s not hard to see because he comes correct although Finesse tends to dominate the tracks. Chocolate, fits in perfectly with Finesse. Grandpa Finesse does his thing on the introduction and final track. This album is dominated by the “slick brother with a fade and a half-moon” Never does he let the listener down. He says it best himself, “everyone, moving, but eager, to listen” The highlights to this terrific album are “Lesson To Be Taught” “Bad Mutha” “Track the Movement” and “Back to Back Rhyming” But in all of his songs he comes correct, never letting the listener down.

Lord Finesse’s Theme Song

Grandpa Finesse simply introduces the funky technician, the bad mutha, the slick brother with a fade and a half moon and Lord Finesse

Baby, You Nasty

A dope track! Starts off with great lyricism, which sets up the listener for something great in the album. His flow just keeps going and going. His delivery may seem a little high but the listener immediately get used to it. This track is a boastful one. He talks about how great he is in the most creative ways possible “Lord Finesse is the brother that you have to hear I flow smooth like clouds in the atmosphere”

Funky Technician

The most honest track. The funky technician raps about so many different things on this one track. He is, again, boastful but that just adds to the track. His funkiness is incredible. He is probably one of the funkiest artists around, along with Main Source. “Lord Finesse in effect cause I rhyme hard Look good flow smooth yeah the whole nine yard”

Back To Back Rhyming

Finesse speeds up his pace on this track. Andre the Giant showcases his skills for the first time. He too, has amazing lyricism. Together, they make a stunning combination. It’s no surprise that this cat came close to Lord Finesse. Lord Finesse still dominates the track though. The production is nice on this but some of the sampling was a bit off.” “Now when it comes to rhymes, I’ll drop a swift one I’m the rap senator, ake about ten of ya”

Here I Come

The ultimate introduction. He shows all the new rappers that even though he has been around longer; he still hasn’t lost his touch. He drops the truth about himself on this incredible track. He never seems to tire “Lord Finesse is the brother who’s talking And this is somethin funky to pump in your walkman”

Slave To My Soundwave

Finesse is more aggressive on this track. Finesse is extremely different on this track. This is the only time he takes this aggressive stance on the album. The sampling on this song works quite well. “Hear the crowd, and get the stage set You still got time, so put a tape in your tape deck”

I Keep The Crowd Listening

This is no lie. With his incredible flow and unique delivery this is exactly what he does. There is a bit of sampling on this track but it is on point. “Alright, let me kick this fly intro Somethin that’s smooth but quite simple”

Bad Mutha

He proves his point. He is the bad mutha. Another boastful track. His skills are undeniable. He keeps the track smooth and slow. His diversity is very different from the rest of DITC. He has his way with the mic, there is no denying it. The production is very nice on this album “Turn up the radio, better yet the phonograph And I’ma school the suckers who don’t know the half”

Keep It Flowing

Andre the Giant is on top form on this track. He and Finesse completely rip apart the track, top to bottom. They completely tear it to shreds. This is one of the greatest tracks on the album. Production is perfect and everything works together. “A man thought he could test me and possess a better skill His man shook his head and his mother said “You’d better chill””

Lesson To Be Taught

On this track Finesse chooses to educate the youngsters on the things to watch out for in life. This is easily the best track on the album. Finesse drops some major knowledge on this track. The lyrics are timeless. “Here we go, so pay attention to the teacher Here to preach a lesson to reach ya”

Just A Little Something

Another fast paced song. The funky technician keeps going and going with some great lyricism. The production of the track matches his spectacular lyrics, courtesy of Showbiz “Now I’m the constabulary, great in vocabulary I’m no joke, when up against any adversary”

Strictly For The Ladies

Self-explanatory. This track is strictly for the ladies. He talks about basically how many girls he gets and how they can chill together. This track is basically explaining himself to the ladies “This is strictly for the ladies, no ifs ands or maybes We can chill together but hold on the babies”

Track The Movement

The perfect ending to a classic album. This track is laid back and mellow. He keeps this track even and drops some of his best lyrics. After a wrap-up such as this, there is no denying his talent. “Finesse, now I’m smooth sensational Educational, here to awaken you”

The production on this album is fabulous. The album was produced by DJ Premier, Diamond D, Showbiz and, of course, Mike Smooth. It can’t possibly go wrong with some of the best producers. The combination of the excellent production with Lord Finesse is tremendous.

This slept on album is one of the finest to come out of the Bronx area. This is a classic underground album. Finesse is unstoppable. There are no weak points to this masterpiece.

Rating: 5/5

Rydah J Klyde – Tha Fly Gangsta

Posted on March 4, 2013 by WWC

1. How It Is(Feat Miami)

We waste no time getting into the album as there is no 30 second skit as the intro(Thank goodness). Rydah rips it but Miami is really annoying as he repeats Rydah’s last words to a line in a growly type manner. Decent enough. Average

2. Prince Of Tha Projects

Roblo produced the track and it’s really good, got a bounce to it and what sounds like a horn. Rydah rips the first verse, seriously this guy just kills it here. This sounds totally different than any other Mob Figaz solo. Rydah has a great second verse as well. Good stuff here. Good

3. Bonnie B*tches

Traxx produced the track and it sounds cartoony, like when the bad tune gets exploded by some dynamite and it makes that “Wah wah” sound, good beat but a tad odd to use on a rap song. Rydah comes tight. Good

4. How It Should Be(Feat Mac Dre)

“Summer Breeze” is used as the beat here and why is Mac Dre on this type of song? He should be on the goofy type tracks. Rydah has a tight first verse. Mac Dre with the second verse, you know I like Mac Dre but he should only be used on tracks that aren’t meant to be taken seriously, he has a goofy verse. Good enough. Good

5. Throw’d Out(Feat Husalah & Mac Dre)

See now these are the tracks Mac Dre should be used for. Really goofy type bouncy beat, I love it. Rydah with a good first verse. Husalah rips it here, he also sounds dope over these type of beats. Chorus is Mac Dre “They throw’d us right on out” in a goofy manner, dope stuff. Rydah again with a dope verse. Good stuff. Good

6. Not My Style(Feat Jacka)

Jacka is a really overlooked rapper, just wanted to say this as he rips the first verse, the beat sounds like something that would be used at a Graduation haha but it’s really dope. Rydah with a really good second verse. Rydah again with a verse, hmmmm that’s a little odd but still a dope verse. Good song! Good

7. Get Yo Money

Banging beat here, hard hitting stuff. Rydah comes tight. Good

8. Undaworld Ties(Feat Keak Da Sneak)

Speaking of underrated rappers, here’s Keak Da Sneak who is one of the best Bay rappers ever yet he gets slept on, what a shame. Rydah with the first verse and it’s a pretty tight verse. The beat is a little dark but maintains that street sound with a nice organ beat to it. Keak with a good verse, his constipated type flow is an aquired taste but if once you get it then it’s really dope. Good

9. Priveledge

Basic beat, a little boring but Rydah carries it well. Average

10. 50 Shotz(Feat Mac Dre, Husalah, & PSD)

This beat is all over the place. This track in itself is just all over the place and sloppy. Wack

11. Leave Me Alone(Feat Mac Dre)

DOPE! I love this track here. The beat sounds like something that would play in a lounge. Mac Dre starts it off with a hilarious verse. Rydah with a great second verse, one of Rydah’s best as he flows really well to the beat. Great track. DOPE!

12. I Can’t See(Feat Cutthroat Committee)

Weird beat, pretty sloppy. Not a very good song at all. Wack

13. Fly Gangsta(Feat Yukmouth)

DOPE!!! The beat is nice and bouncy! Yukmouth starts it off with a vicious verse. Chorus is all Rydah and it’s very dope. Rydah with a good second verse and a good last verse. Great track. DOPE!

14. Run Fo It

Wow another dope track, AP-9 starts it off with his best verse ever as he doesn’t yell all over the track and has a great flow on here. I dig the chorus here, a little goofy but it’s dope. Rydah with a great verse. LiL Ric with a pretty good last verse. Great way to end the cd. DOPE!

All in all this gets a Good rating. Easily the best Mob Figaz solo out. You need to cop this album!

Kaoz The Assassin – The Assassination Vol 1

Posted on March 4, 2013 by WWC

1. The Assassination

Crazy 8 produced the beat and it’s good, nothing great but it gets the job done. Kaoz is a rapper who has a semi sloppy flow, he can get ahead of himself and he does that a couple of times on this song. Kaoz has some good lyrics here and comes vicious, good track. Good

2. Shittin On Da World

Sean T produces a really good beat here, it has some Hip Hop flavor to it. Kaoz flows very dope over this beat, he seems comfortable here and has some really good lyrics. I like the chorus, it’s simple and works with the song. Nay sayers should peep this song. Good

3. Get Em(Feat Young Droop)

YES! One of my favorite Westcoast rappers is featured on this song. J Doe produced the beat and it’s hard hitting. Kaoz starts it off with a good verse. Chorus is simple but is decent. YOUNG DROOP!!!!!! Has the second verse and rips it! He outshines Kaoz easily. People like Droop’s older flow better but I actually dig his yelling type flow. Kaoz with another verse, pretty good verse. Good

4. Dirty Deed’s

Hollis produced one smooth beat here, possibly his smoothest. Kaoz raps about women and the dirty deed’s they do. Subject matter wise this song is awful but for music? It owns! Good

5. United We Stand(Feat Messy Marv & Hollow Tip)

Eh I don’t care for the beat, I like Sean T’s production but this beat is basic and quite horrible. Kaoz raps first and has a good verse, doesn’t trip over his words which is good. Chorus is pretty good, gets to the point. Messy Marv with a decent verse, sorry but Marv is one of the most overrated rappers in the Bay. Hollow Tip with the best verse, pretty long verse as well. Average

6. Best Coast

Way Deep produced the track and it’s pretty good, it has a nice eerie type feel to it. Kaoz comes tight here. Good

7. Monsta Rappin(Feat Dutch)

Nice beat here, takes “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and tweaks it into a West beat. Kaoz starts it off with a sloppy verse, it’s a good verse but needed better delivery. Chorus is basic. Dutch with a pretty good verse, he most def outshines Kaoz here. Kaoz with the last verse and I take that back, Kaoz owned it here with this verse. Good track. Good

8. Potency(Feat Stone Kold)

Track is boring, beat is basic and Kaoz tries squeaking his voice during lines, very annoying. Stone Kold with a sloppy rapid verse. This track is the sominex. Wack

9. Whoridin

Sean T with a dope beat, has that West flavor to it. Kaoz brings the lyrics to make this a banging track. Good

10. Other Shit

Awkward, it’s not a bad track but the chant type beat that kicks in really doesn’t work, in fact it makes it very annoying. Kaoz is not one to carry a wack beat. Average

11. Un*****witable(Feat Baby Fluff)

Great beat here, it has that gangsta touch to it, very hard hitting and drives home the message, very abrasive but not to the point where it drives the listener away. Kaoz however is really sloppy here, his flow does not match the track. Baby Fluff’s voice is a bit low here, kind of hard to hear but still pretty dope. I’ll call it good. Good

12. I’m Ghetto(Feat T-Nutty)

Sean T produced the track and the beat is pretty tight, it’s upbeat and bouncy. Kaoz with a pretty good first verse. I do not like the chorus, the low voice is annoying. Kaoz with another good verse and then T-NUTTY!!!!!! Raps and outshines Kaoz. I’d like to hear T-Nutty & Droop try to outshine each other over the Dusted And Disgusted beat. Good

13. Y 2 Kaoz

Has a slower beat to it, really slow starting and again Kaoz doesn’t fit over this beat, slow it down just a little bit here. The chorus is annoying. Not a good track. Wack

14. Real Pimpin

Sean T produced the track and there’s 3 different beats going on here, works well though. Kaoz doesn’t have the charisma to pull off tracks like these, it just sounds overbearing to the listener. Average(For the beat)

15. Ride 2 Dis(Feat Myth)

I dig the beat here, it’s bouncy and upbeat and Myth rips the first verse. Chorus is a little odd but still good. Kaoz with a pretty good verse. Myth raps fast and comes off as sloppy but still decent. Good track. Good

16. Block Hittaz(Feat Trifflin, D Lo, & Dubble J)

Cluster*****, I’m lost on this track as they just go right into it without even an introduction. Wack

All in all this gets a Good rating. Good album but it tended to go off beat and not mesh together. Buy it if you’re a Kaoz fan.

Keak Da Sneak – Copium

Posted on March 4, 2013 by WWC

1. Intro

Just an intro.

2. T-Shirt, Blue Jeans, & Nikes(Feat E-40)

Rick Rock produces a semi basic beat, nice and bouncy but it doesn’t really reach out and grab you. Keak carries this track as his flow is perfect over this beat. E-40 gives an average appearance. I like the chorus to this, it’s nothing mind blowing but it gets the job done. Good

3. Hi-Volume

Rick Rock produces a really boring beat, this sounds like a club beat but not nearly as catchy. Keak tries but this track is just boring. The chorus is all over the place. Skip it. Wack

4. Know What I’m Talkin Bout

EA Ski produced the beat so you know it’s tight. Keak flows perfectly over this beat. I dig the chorus as well. Great track. Good

5. Rappin My New Twist

EA Ski produced the beat and it’s basic but once the chorus kicks in it gets much better. Keak sounds comfortable over Ski’s beats which is dope because not only do we get to hear dope beats but we can hear dope rappers flowing over them. Good

6. Copium

EA Ski produced the beat(YES!!!) and it’s pretty good, a little wacky but Keak flows over it well and not out of control. Again the beat picks up during the chorus. Good track! Good

7. Hi Speed Specialist

EA Ski again produces the beat, this is my dream album right here ha! The beat is pretty dope, nice and bouncy with a hint of gangsta to it. Some people don’t like Keak’s flow and I say “You’re all idiots!”, Keak has one of the most original flows I have ever heard and is easily the most overlooked rapper in the Bay. Good track. Good

8. Freakalistic(Feat Rankin Scroo)

I was spoiled with the last tracks because this one is horrible. Rick Rock should be ashamed of himself for producing such a wack beat. Keak is wasted talent here. Wack

9. Set Up Shop(Feat Bra Hef, Big Scoot, & Whoday)

DJ Epik produced this beat and it’s pretty good. The Farm Boyz are on this song, oh yea and people who said the Farm Boyz album sucked, need to get their heads examined because that album was ownage. Good

10. What It Do(Feat Dola Ike)

Rick Rock produces a really good beat, this has a Neptunes flavor to it but still maintains that West vibe. Keak flows perfectly on this track. The chorus is a little goofy but still pretty good and it fits the vibe of the song. Dola Ike is dope. Good

11. I Don’t Wanna Go

D-Dre produces a semi sappy beat, it’s ok but this wasn’t needed. Some girl sings the chorus and it’s pretty good actually. Keak’s flow doesn’t fit on these kind of songs. Average track. Average

12. Raw

Good song, now this is the kind of beat Keak should flow over, he even throws a semi diss at 50 Cent. The chorus is really stupid but it actually fits with the song. Good

13. Love Da Kids

Weird sounding beat, it sounds like some videogame, it’s good though. Keak does a good job flowing over this beat. Good

14. Still Can’t Get Enough

I don’t like the beat much but Keak does a good job here as he carries the track and talks about getting his rap career started. Average

15. That Be Me(Feat Bra-Hef & Whoday)

Ea Ski produces a pretty good beat, mixture of South & West here. Everyone comes tight. Good

16. Think You Real

Nice bouncy beat with some Asian flavor to it. Keak flows viciously on this track, very dope stuff. Good

17. To Wicked

Bouncy basic beat, nice way to end the track with Keak flowing dopely over the beat.

All in all this gets a Good rating. Keak worked his ass off here and it shows, he went with the big producers and the final product was a certified slumper. Cop this album!!!!

Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Posted on March 4, 2013 by WWC

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.

Genius/GZA – Liquid Swords

Posted on March 1, 2013 by WWC

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.

Big Pun – Yeeeah Baby

Posted on March 1, 2013 by WWC

1. Creation (Intro)

Along the lines of Frankenstein’s creation, where Pun is created from parts of other artists. Eddie Murpy being part of him gotta be the funniest part though!

2. Watch Those Prod. by Knobody

Good first track. Uses the Starsky and Hutch theme tune. To good effect as well. About those who act shady and to be aware of them. Good use of electric guitar loops.

3. Off Wit His Head ft Prospect Prod. by Just Blaze

Would i expect any less from a Just Blaze production? Dueting with Prospect, this makes a tight combination. The only down side is each verse is only four bars long and you hear the chorus many many times throughout. It’s still tight though, just a little repetetive.

4. It’s So Hard ft Donell Jones Prod. by Younglord

Piano driven beat. Simple, but i love it. Jumpy feel to it. Pun flows over it perfectly. Pun is talking about his fame and recognition. Donell Jones also supplies a nice hook too

5. We Don’t Care ft Cuban Link Prod. by Younglord

Its such a shame this track is only 2 verses long. Pun really goes off on this one with his lyrical flow. Pun’s best flow performance on the CD is on this track. Its a dark and traumatic beat. Going out to tell others about the Terror Squad.

6. New York Giants ft M.O.P. Minnesota

I’m not too big a fan of M.O.P. coz i feel they shout too much! However they’re relegated to only one verse between them and the hook! The beat is horn driven, it reminds me of a background beat Tim Westwood would use on his radio shows! Tight beat. Bad choice of guest appearance.

7. My Dick ft Tony Sunshine Prod. by KNS and Guy Boogie

Love the hook! Just have to mention the hook! Something to sing to yourself when people keep getting at you Tony Sunshine has a good one-and-a-half long verse, but that’s no bad thing coz he’s a nice singer, although i think this is more of a Sunshine than a Pun one. Nice and laid back though despite the song content, and its good to chill to.

8. Leatherface Prod. by Mike Trauma D and Jugrnaut

Another electric guitar driven track. It seems by now that Pun is a fan of decapitating people! It’s not really that good i don’t think, i think its just average to me compared to “Off With His Head” (same concept, right?) although the distress samples do at to the buildup in the bridge. Average, i say.

9. Air Pun (Skit)

LOL. Only the lead into the next song so it’s a bit pointless. Pun is asleep on an aeroplane. I find that a strange scenario, coz Fat Joe isnt allowed to fly because of his weight, so how is Pun on a plane?! Hell, its just a skit! Funny when Pun farts though… always gets me!

10. 100% ft Tony Sunshine Prod. by Sean Cane

The hook is all in Latino so i don’t understand it. While i mention the hook, the sound sample appears to be quite muffled when it plays. I don’t think it was equalised very well. That doesn’t mean i don’t like the song. Got a real Latino vibe to it and makes you want to jump to it. Pun is talking about putting his all into the rapping effort and doing it all to be the number one.

11. Wrong Ones ft Sunkiss Prod. by Just Blaze

Not a 5/5 Blaze beat (nice bass throb with drums) but Pun manages to tear it up. His performance is on the level of what he spits on “We Don’t Care” Sunkiss also delivers a slick verse on his behalf, but is outdone by Pun.

12. Laughing at You ft Tony Sunshine Prod. by Ogee

You can’t knock the mocking tone of this song. Has a real holler at those who denied Pun anything as he was growing up and how he’s completely overcome those who thought they were bigger than him yet look what he got now?! Those with a wide music interest will recognise the “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” interpolated hook too. HA HA HA! Adds to how you may relate to the song. Deep. And i like it, although it isn’t too special if you don’t feel you’ve never been in Pun’s place.

13. N*gga Shit Prod. by Buckwild

Poetry on wax really. Boring if you ask me, just repetition of the first line over and over about the stereotypical black culture set to a piano loop. You’ll skip it after you heard it a few too many times.

14. Ms. Martin ft Remi Martin Prod. by DJ Shok

I’m not too big a fan of the Ruff Riderz productions or rappers. Too much emcee-based rapping but leaving them with boring beats (not particularly the RAW type either) Pun’s hook is dire. The most annoying you’d ever hear Pun at I’m afraid. Skip it coz Remi gets the whole song and gets boring.

15. My Turn Prod. by L.E.S.

Dark feel to a piano-tinkling and cymbol beat. It’s a bit boring however. Feels too slow and very depressing and lonely. Below average. Also note that Pun said it features Tony Sunshine but he doesn’t appear on the track. Its a posthumous mix and a badly done job too

16. You Was Wrong ft Drag On, Fat Joe and Remi Martin Prod. by DJ Shok

Another below-par DJ Shok production. Too boring with the beat making. All the verses feel average too. Pity.

My copy of the CD came witha Sony “Urban Classics” sticker attached to it, which is a shame because it shows that it shifted a good few and Pun wasn’t even around to witness it blowing up. I had to listen to this twice before writing the review because i wanted to get into the mood of the CD then compare it to Capital Punishment.

I like this CD. Its no Capital Punishment so it doesn’t mean i’ll be running out to tell all my friends about it like i did with his first but it’s still dope and does sort of grow on you. Lyrically Pun is a Latino rhyme-god and the majority of the beats are on point too, just why Pun felt he had to link up with the likes of Remi Martin and DJ Shok productions i wont know why because at about the point you hear the first Ruff Rider track the CD becomes a turn off. I guess this is the trouble with posthumous releases.

I feel they did a good job with it but messed up some appearances and productions and even just put a few boring Pun cuts in from left over material

3/5

Eminem – Infinite

Posted on March 1, 2013 by WWC

Do I even have to intro Eminem? Y’all know him. He wasn’t always stressed, psycho, immature or even angry at the world tho…back in the day of Infinite he was a pretty mellow guy on the mic. This was Em as a real MC, not the tired, hounded, overrated, distracted etc. etc. rapper he is right now.

1) Infinite

It’s really, really ironic, but this song has to be the song of Eminem’s career. Before this I’d never heard Em rhyme laid-back before, and the shit was crazy; especially the insane shit he spits on the mic here. (Excellent)

2) WEGO

Just an intro to his next song, It’s OK.

3) It’s OK ft. Eye-Kyu

Eminem rhymes on his current situation and his dreams for the future, with a crazy continuous multi-like style. Former rhyme partner Eye-Kyu does the optimistic chorus, and the beat is mellow with a fading chord in the background. (Excellent)

4) 313 ft. Eye-Kyu

Over a slow-drum, deep-bass beat (with a sax that comes in later) Eye-Kyu starts off with a pretty damn good verse, with really the same style Em uses, but Em ultimately comes tighter. (Great)

5) Tonite

This beat has a lounge-feel to it, kinda jazzy. Em uses the same rambling, multi-ish style he had before, still ill. (Excellent)

6) Maxine ft. Denaun, 3

A song about a ho with AIDS, who claims she’s clean so guys will hit and pay her for it. Eminem spits some sick lyrics, but his flow’s a little off on the spacey beat. Denaun spits a pretty good second verse, but it’s not as good as Em’s, and neither is the third guy’s (3, who I’ve never heard of before). (Good)

7) Open Mic ft. Thyme

The beat here is different; kinda jerky, with a dyslexic string and a warped bass. Em spits some real shit, but again his flow is off-and-on. Thyme does the hook; his voice is pretty annoying, kinda high-pitched. (Good)

8) Never 2 Far

Em’s flow is a bit better. He spits about his plans to get money by any means necessary, and he has’nt stopped spittin sick yet. The beat is kinda simple, jus a bass loop over a drum track that’s a little faster and more consistent than the others (prolly why he flows over it easier). (Great)

9) Searchin ft. Denaun

The hook here is kinda gay; a woman singing about love, and the sample sounds a bit annoying and repetetive. The beat is, again, pretty simple, just soft tones over a drum track with a rambling string thrown in sometimes. Eminem and Denaun both spit about the loves of their lives; Em’s verse is sick, and Denaun sings his verse so that it doesn’t even sound like Denaun, nice effect though. (Good)

10) Backstabber

This beat kinda sucks, it’s pretty amatuer and repetitive. Em raps some abstract shit about being a cop chasing a criminal, I think it’s a diss. (Poor)

11) Jealousy Woes II

Em raps about a jealous chick, over a funky beat with overblown bass and drums. He spits pretty sick, though. (Decent)

My Rating: 3/5

Em’s first outing is unprofessional, amatuer, with lazy beats and only a couple of used-and-reused guest appearances. That said, it must be one of his best albums to date, simply for the fact that some of his tracks rival Nas’ Illmatic in hunger, siccness and creativity. This album was basically meant to put him out there, and a first step to really see how shit works in the music business. Subtract some of the wacker or more boring shit like Jealousy Woes II, Open Mic and Backstabber and you have a great album at your disposal.

My Recommendation: It’s really hard to find to buy, so download it and keep what you like.

Masta Killa – No Said Date

Posted on March 1, 2013 by WWC

Masta Killa is one of the most-overlooked members of the Wu-Tang, one of the three who haven’t achieved the superstar success of the other six (along with U-God and Inspectah Deck). In Killa’s case I’m assuming it’s cuz he never released an album until this year, with No Said Date.

1) Born Chamber

An intro using a clip from an old kung-fu movie to detail the splitting of the Wu.

2) Grab the Microphone

Over a sicc beat (by “Brock”), that involves a hard drum and a cool horn, Masta spits some dopeness wit a laid-back flow that goes seamlessly into the catchy hook. (Excellent)

3) No Said Date

Over a fast, anxious, actiony RZA beat, Killa spits the typical Wu-style sick and slightly detatched lyrics that have you figure what he’s talking about but which give sick imagery. The track is about the release of his much-anticipated album, and hopes for success. (Great)

4) Last Drink

The beat, by Mathematics, is pretty good; it’s got a kung-fu-movie-duel type of flavor to it. Masta spits good, but not his best, and not the flame that’s on the previous tracks. (Good)

5) Love Spell

The beat is bouncy, simple with a guitar chord and a bumpin drum; Killa spit’s a vivid story about a chick. (Good)

6) The Future (Skit)

Has a bunch of young kids freestylin hardcore gangsta lyrics. Kinda disturbin.

7) DTD ft. Raekwon, Ghost Face Killer

Another Mathematics beat, this one’s kinda mesmerizing, with hard kicks and a drawling horn, a “different”-style club banger. Raekwon comes on first with a pretty nice verse, starts slow but gets better later on. Killa’s verse is next, it’s pretty good but nothin special compared to Kwon’s. Ghost’s verse is last, almost as good as Rae’s and better than Masta’s. (Good)

8) Whatever ft. Streetlife, Prodigal Sunn

Okay…time to endure the Wu-Affiliates. This beat is odd, doesn’t seem to fit–it’s like an Old West saloon tune. The first rapper’s (Streetlife?) verse is aight, nothin special; the second (Prodigal Sunn?) is a bit better but Masta Killa’s is sub-par. (Poor)

9) Secret Rivals ft. Killah Priest, Method Man

Over a more traditional Wu beat (ironically produced by True Master, not RZA) which has a head-bobbing drum shuffle and a sporadic piano, Priest and Meth spit some siccness; Masta follows with a pretty good verse. (Good)

10) Skit

A clip from an old kung-fu movie.

11) Digi Warfare

A great, futuristic beat with echoes and a crazy snare an shit. Too bad, what Killa spits here is nothin special. (Decent)

12) Old Man ft. ODB, RZA

The best way to describe this beat is “unfortunate,” especially for a RZA joint. It’s bouncy and unnecessary, and I’m really not feelin it. Killa’s verse is pretty nice, but RZA’s is lacking. (Poor)

13) Queen

Better. Disjointed piano chords play over an echoey, shuffly drum track. Killa spits pretty nice shit, a track for the ladies. (Good)

14) School ft. RZA

The beat here is more like what made RZA famous. It’s kinda eerie with a slow drum track, until RZA’s verse, when it becomes faster, consisting of a drum, a bass and an annoying…thing…in the background. (Decent)

15) Silverbacks ft. Inspectah Deck, GZA

Beat: various accoustic riffs aligned chaotically over a soft snare. All verses are good, but GZA’s verse is the only one that stands out. (Good)

16) Masta Killa

This unique, old-Japanese-molded beat courtesy of Baby Dooks brings Masta to life. His flow picks up, and his lyrics are pretty nice shit. (Great)

My Rating: 3.5/5

A solid Wu release by recent standards, unfortunately pale compared to their older shit. Masta Killa’s flow can get unbelievably boring, especially when the whole album seems lazily done, like each member was distracted with other shit–typical of the Wu nowdays. RZA’s production, on the few tracks he does do, lacks the fire of older releases like Cuban Linx and Liquid Swords, and the collage of styles leave the album a thrown-together, disconnected feel. Combine all that with Masta Killa’s (pretty much most of the Wu’s) style of vague, jump-around topics and the album is hard to get into and really listen to.

My Recommendation: Buy or burn, whichever you like, but don’t expect too much–the Wu’s not what it once was.

Yukmouth – United Ghetto Of America Vol. 2

Posted on March 1, 2013 by WWC

1. Intro(Feat J-Flo)

An intro on a compilation? Well it’s funny atleast.

2. Kill Em off(Feat Gonzoe, Tech N9ne, & Big Krizz Kaliko)

YES! Nice opera type beat, picture Regime Mobstaz here. Gonzoe starts it off with a good verse but nothing memorable. Tech N9ne with the VERSE OF THE YEAR!!! I’m calling it here, and also a great intro to Tech’s rapping. Tech just rips it here going through atleast 3 different types of flows. Chorus is good, Krizz’s singing is kept to a minimum which is good, I like Krizz but sometimes his singing is just all over the place. Yukmouth with a good verse but his starting is awful. Great track. Good

3. Kalifornia G’z(Feat E-40, Crooked I, & Nat’e)

I assume Nat’e is the girl singing the chorus. Nice bouncy beat here, this can be a crossover track, it doesn’t have that usual Bay sound, it has a So-Cal vibe to it. I dig the chorus, it’s catchy and isn’t overwhelming towards the listener. Crooked I with a pretty dope verse, why Tha Row wasted him is beyond me. Yukmouth with a good verse but he sounds awkward here, still dope stuff. Good

4. We Just Wanna Thug(Feat NORE & D-Don)

Well if anyone can kill a song it’s NORE and he does just that. This track is awful, with a beat so generic that it can be sold next to the Sam’s Choice Cola. D-Don with a horrible verse, this guy’s the drizzling shits. Skip this track. Train Wreck

5. I Love Dro(Feat Bun-B & Nat’e)

Stupid chorus but the track is great. It has that 1998 Rap A Lot sound to it, with the smooth Devin type vibe here. Yukmouth starts it off with the basics on a smoking track. Yukmouth with a second verse(?) on here which is a little odd. Bun B with the next verse and he outshines Yuk, Bun B is easily one of the best Southern lyricist of all time. Good

6. Don’t Be Scared(Silver Back Guerillaz)

No Yuk on here. This has a grimey Eastcoast vibe to it, dope stuff here. I can’t tell these guys apart so I’ll just say it’s a good track. Good

7. Spin & Chop(Feat Dru Down, Nate Da Nut, & Kieu)

Just so you know whenever I put “Feat” that means Yuk is on the song, he’s on every song except “Don’t Be Scared” & “Suga Daddy”, just clearing it up. This track is sloppy with a weird spastic annoying beat. Yuk with a decent verse. Dru Down with a decent verse. Nate Da Nut with a good verse. The chorus and beat drag this down alot, in fact this is pretty wack. Wack

8. What’s Beef(Feat Luni Coleone, I-Rocc, & Monstah Ganjah)

I like this track, well sort of, the problem is the squeeking robotic sounds in the beat, very annoying. This track hurts my ears, with Luni yelling over the track and this squeeking crap. Luni with a good verse, I-Rocc with a good verse, Ganjah with a dope verse, and Yuk finishes it with the best verse. I want to give this a good rating, they tried but the squeeking ruined everything. Average

9. American Me(Feat Chino Nino, C-Bo, & Young Noble)

This track is insane with a slow starting and then a rough beat kicks in with Chino Nino ripping the first verse. C-Bo with a good verse, wow he really shocked me on here in fact this is one of his best verses. Yukmouth then rips it with a great verse, this track is crazy. Noble finishes it with a good verse. Great stuff here. Good

10. Suga Daddy(Ms Toi, Nyce, & Numskull)

Odd line up. Ms Toi with a boring first verse. Numskull sounds drunk off his ass here which is either sad or hilarious, man this guy has fell off with him slurring and tripping over his words. Nyce with a boring verse. Blah! Crap be gone from my ears! Wack

11. The Side Show(Feat Richie Rich, C-Bo, & Nat’e)

I can see why this was left off “In Thugz We Trust”. This is a little too bouncy and the chorus is all over the place. C-Bo with a good verse. Yukmouth with the best verse. Richie Rich with an awkward verse, his flow sounds awful over this beat and he couldn’t adjust to the different style of it. Average

12. Top Shotta(Feat Gangsta Girl & Brando)

Arabian type beat, think Neptunes here. Yukmouth with a good verse, the thing I like about Yuk is that he can adjust to any kind of style no matter how odd the beat is. Horrible chorus here as some guy is yelling babbling nonsense. Gangsta Girl with a horrible verse, these people suck at Reggae. Yukmouth finishes it with a pretty good verse, he is carrying this track. Good

13. Skit(Feat D Of The Menace Clan)

A skit? On a compilation? Unreal, but it’s decent as D spits a pretty dope flow over the phone.

14. Regime Mob(Feat Chino Nino, Amp-Pachino, & Nate Da Nut)

This song lacks direction as none of these guys except Yuk are in the Regime. This song is pretty bad as the guy rapping the second verse is the drizzling shits talking about rocking “boobies” to sleep(Huh?). Horrible chorus, this is a cluster*****. Yukmouth has a good verse though. Wack

15. Stunt 211(Feat Domination & Bang Em Smurf)

This song is hilarious as they make fun of Stunt 101. This is a Lloyd Banks diss(For the most part) and they spit some hilarious lines here(“Ray Charles can see *****es only want you for your money” & “Young Buck he just happy he got white gold teeth”). Yukmouth with a good verse as well. Everyone from 50 Cent to Game get dissed here but Banks gets it the worst. Good

16. On The Block(Feat Jacka, LiL Cyco, & Benjilino)

Not a big fan of the beat, it’s pretty basic and boring. Benjilino sings a decent hook but man is this beat boring. Yukmouth starts it off with a pretty good verse. Jacka(!) with a really good verse. LiL Cyco with a pretty good verse, nice flow. Average

17. Wet Dreamz(Yukmouth)

The only Yukmouth solo and it’s about a wet dream, amazing…Anyway this track sucks, as Yuk talks about women he wants to have sex with, don’t care. Wack

18. Heat(Feat Planet Asia & Monstah Ganjah)

DOPE! This track is straight Hip Hop here. Planet Asia with a great verse. Ganjah with another great verse, this track is flawless. Yukmouth outshines both of them as he spits an insane verse. Great chorus on here as well. DOPE!

19. Get Stupid Go Dumb(Feat Mac Dre, & Sauce)

Weird beat but it’s dope as it has a goofy bouncy beat mixed with a Halloween sounding piano beat. Sauce with a good verse. Yukmouth with a great verse, this is probably his most thugged out verse on the whole cd. Mac Dre sounds so awkward on this track, like a kid lost in a mall. Good

20. United Ghetto’s Of America Part 2(Feat The Realest, C-Bo, Dru Down, 151, Spice 1, Eastwood, & Roscoe)

Insane line up here. This track has a dope piano beat. Realest starts it off with a decent verse, he doesn’t sound too much like Pac on here. C-Bo with a pretty good verse. Dru Down raps fast on here(!) well fast in Dru Down terms. 151 with a really good verse, this is insane there is no other word to describe it. There is no chorus here, just straight spitting. Spice 1 spits a verse that sounds like something he’d spit in 1994(!), really dope stuff here. Eastwood with a really good verse as well. Roscoe with an insane verse that shows how slept on he is. Yukmouth finishes it with an insane verse. Oh man this was just dopeness! Easily the best track on the album, everyone stepped up their game. DOPE!

All in all this gets a Good rating. Pretty dope compilation, this was totally different than Vol 1 which is good. Some awful tracks but some really good tracks, Most def cop it if you’re a Bay fan & a Regime fan, ah hell cop it if you’re just a fan of music because people like Yukmouth who are working their asses off making this dope music need to be supported.