01.) “Intro”
Produced by DJ Fuse
02.) “Put The Lead On Ya” (feat. Dru Down) (4.5 out of 5)
Produced by Tone Capone
“Put The Lead On Ya” was a great way to kick-off “Operation Stackola”. Numskull and Yukmouth both spit fire over the grimy production of Tone Capone. Dru Down spits one of his career-best verses on this track. Dru Down and the Luniz have an undeniable chemistry together. I’m lovin’ the Eazy-E sample on this track.
03.) “I Got 5 On It” (5 out of 5)
Produced by Tone Capone
It’s very difficult to describe how outstanding this record is. If you can’t remember where you were the first time you heard this track… then there’s something wrong with you. Numskull and Yukmouth perform what can be argued as their career-best (group) lyrical performance over one of the greatest instrumentals of all-time. To say the least… this track has stood the test of time. More than a classic.
04.) “Broke Ho’s” (5 out of 5)
Produced by Shock G.
Numskull and Yukmouth flawlessly flow over one of Shock G.’s signature piano-driven productions. This is a truely hypnotic production. The VERY SECOND you hear the hook… you’ll NEVER be able to get it out of your head. This is a personal favorite of mine.
05.) “Pimps, Playas, Hustlas” (feat. Dru Down and Richie Rich) (4.5 out of 5)
Produced by N.O. Joe
Dru Down, Numskull, Richie Rich and Yukmouth ALL tear N.O. Joe’s outstanding production to shreds. Dru Down and Richie Rich are the absolute best MC’s that the Luniz could have recuited for this track. The only complaint (and it’s hardly a complaint) I have about this cut is that the hook can become SOMEWHAT annyoing after a while.
06.) “Playa Hata” (5 out of 5)
Produced by E-A-Ski and CMT
When I say that “Playa Hata” by the Luniz is a personal favorite of mine… I mean it! This song would probrobly rank as my second or third favorite song of all-time. If you ask me… the Luniz are easily one of the best group’s in Hip-Hop history. This track is proof of that statement. The production on “Playa Hata” is absolutly PERFECT! Everything about this track is a picture of perfection, from the flow of Numskull and Yukmouth to the hook. It still amazes me how the Luniz (along with E-A-Ski and CMT) were able to perfect Bobby Caldwell’s classic slow-jam.
07.) “Broke Niggaz” (feat. Knucklehead and Eclipse) (4 out of 5)
Produced by DJ Fuse
The highlight of this track is the grimy production of DJ Fuse. Knucklehead and Eclipse both drop nice verses (more-so Knucklehead). Numskull and Yukmouth (as usual) drop outstanding verses.
08.) “Operation Stackola” (4.5 out of 5)
Produced by N.O. Joe
If you ask me… this is THE BEST group lyrical performance in the history of West Coast Hip-Hop. The production of N.O. Joe is outstanding on this track. I’ll probrobly be annoyed in a few months when I read this again and wonder why I didn’t give it a “5”.
09.) “5150” (4.5 out of 5)
Produced by Shock G.
I can’t get enough of the “Shock-Jesus” intro on this track. Numskull and Yukmouth both have a criminally under-rated flow. You gotta love the hook. After listening to this track all you can do is pray that the Luniz and Shock G. will one day re-unite and make music like this again.
10.) “900 Blame A Nigga” (4 out of 5)
Produced by DJ Fuse
Numskull and Yukmouth for the um-teenth time spit fire over an outstanding West Coast production. Eventhough the “redneck’s” on this track are hilarious (and they serve a purpose), it kind-of ruins the flow of this track.
11.) “Yellow Brick Road” (5 out of 5)
Produced by N.O. Joe
The ORIGINAL Ice Cream Man… Yukmouth and his parter in crime, Numskull put-on a classic lyrical performance for the sequel to Dru Down’s 1994 underground classic “Ice Cream Man”. “Ya Mama got a long-ass throat when she drinks milk, by the time it get’s to her throat it’s spoiled!”… CLASSIC! N.O. Joe sure-as-hell LACED the Luniz on this track.
12.) “So Much Drama” (feat. Nik Nack) (3.5 out of 5)
Produced by Terry T
The production (along with Nik Nack’s verse) are very average on this track. The track is improved with the lyrical performances of Numskull and Yukmouth. “So Much Drama” includes the first of MANY disses to Master P (from the Luniz) for jacking Yukmouth’s “Ice Cream Man” alias.
13.) “She’s Just A Freak” (3.5 out of 5)
Produced by Gino Blackwell
The production of Gino Blackwell rates at about a “3.5”. The highlight of “She’s Just A Freak” is the lyrical performance from Yukmouth. Although the hook is absolutly HILARIOUS… it’s rather annoying. Don’t let your lady hear this cut… LOL!
14.) “Plead Guilty” (4.5 out of 5)
Produced by DJ Darryl
This was the best way to end “Operation Stackola”. Numskull and Yukmouth spit FIRE over the outstanding production of DJ Darryl.
15.) “Outro”
Produced by DJ Fuse
CONCLUSION: “Operation Stackola” is an undeniable classic from one of the best group’s to ever enter the West Coast Hip-Hop scene. Everything about this album is top-notch, from the production to the lyrical performances of Numskull and Yukmouth. It’s a damn shame that this album doesn’t recieve as much credit as it deserves. I urge you to go purchase this album!
FINAL RATING: 5 out of 5