‘Big Syke Daddy,’ the second solo album from Tha Outlaw, Tupac’s roaddog, Big Syke. At times, Syke’s flow is noticeable similar to Tupac, and he also rhymes about the same issues.

1. Hey – produced by Temi Ojetunde

A nice introduction to the album. Not too loud, not too soft. The beat is a deep grumble of bass mixed with a few brass tones and a clapper. Syke fits the beat nicely and begins to drop his rapping, sometimes slightly sung mellow flow to it.

2. R.M.F.N. – produced by Nate Foxx

Dedicated to the memory of Tupac, Raw Mother *****ing N*gga has a softly spoken verse and hard (raw) chorus as Syke talks of his memories while rolling with the other half of him, his road dog, Tupac. Basically, Syke is saying that no one knew Tupac like he did, yet at the same time, everyone gives him props anyway, both friends and enemies. It sounds slightly Down South in the beat department.

3. L.A.L.A. – produced by Nate Foxx

The second track with an abbreviated title. A nice sounding LA anthem. Jumpy and catchy, L.A.L.A. is in the department of Makaveli’s “To Live And Die In LA” in both theme and in the content for the love and sights in the hoods of Los Angeles, a lot like any other L.A. ‘love’ song.

4. Time Iz Money ft E-40 & Big Syke – produced by DJ Quik

These days, Quik has been criticised for having a hit-and-miss on the production side. “Time Iz Money” is a mellow beat but manages to pull it off in both sounding quite nice and through the appearances on it. Syke sings the hook, which is a nice touch, while his verse is about hustling to make money. E-40 drops a pimping verse and Quik delivers his standard *****y flow. This was a single released off the album.

5. Big Syke Daddy – produced by Thug Law

It’s a ***** song. It sounds a bit too slow and boring for a title track. A skipper. Listen to the remix instead.

6. Come Wit Me – produced by Nate Foxx

A real blunted out beat with a heavy bassline. A nice listen-to as well. Just about going away to hang with Syke to see what he sees. Romantic in a way. The third verse is a funny listen to! Syke gives a ‘matter of fact’ yet careless verse to it about a lesbian taken advantage of. Some funny stuff.

7. My Block ft Swerv – produced by Vachik

It’s the spot for Syke’s lablemates Swerve to shine on. Although it is a song about struggling and dealing, it sounds pretty wack and the youngstas on it sound a bit retarded, I’m sorry! If you hear the guy with the fat-man’s voice I’m sure you’ll notice, he sounds like he bit his tongue! Another one sounds like Layzie Bone. I’m sorry but although the message is trying to be delivered, I don’t like the song, and the beat sounds a bit further West than the rest of the CD…

8. At Your Convenience – produced by Johnny J

It’s another mellow beat, put down by Johnny J. A song about how the woman is annoyed that Syke is never around when she wants him. For Johnny J, the song is a bit below average and the hook sounds downright terrible.

9. Problemz – produced by Big Syke

A bassline heavy beat, done by Syke who’s renowned for making them that way. Syke is basically letting off some anger at those who got problems that involve him.

10. Why – produced by Vachik

The theme is in the title. Syke is contemplating and questioning the questions of the streets and why people got to hustle and kill just to survive. The beat and the hook itself sounds similar to a Johnny J beat, I noticed.

11. I Got Keyz – produced by Nate Foxx

Most people will remember Syke’s “I got keeeys!” from Tupac’s ‘All Eyez On Me.’ This song goes onto expand on that. The song is about slanging the keys on the block then disappearing right after. Sounds really stealthy! Syke boasts about not getting caught. The beat is a dark and a heavy piano tune adds to the hardness of the tune.

12. On My Way Out – produced by Johnny J

A downbeat song about escapism from the everyday hustling life. While mentally Syke can get away, physically he’s stuck, it sounds pretty deep. The chorus is a choral act between the vocalist and Syke, and makes it sound quite good. In a way, it makes you think.

13. Good Timez – produced by Johnny J

This is some dope Johnny J production. Got the type of vibe that Tupac’s ‘Lil Homiez’ has. Syke is talking about his younger days and the fun and innocence he had as a child. Very summery feel to it. Something to vibe to to catch some good feelings.

14. Past Future ft Swerv, Sundae, Samaria & Daveed – produced by ???

The infamous-to-this-reviewer Swerv make their second appearance on the album! Out of the three songs, I feel this is the nicer one. I can make out the song has some sort of double meaning but it’s a bit confusing to think about… the past being the future and the future being the past; it makes a cycle, in other words, its another ‘not going anywhere’ song. Clever, if not a little mundane to meditate upon.

15. Enjoyin Life – produced by Johnny J

Another really dope Johnny J production. Has a nice and jolly Westcoast feel to it. Like ‘Good Timez’ It’s funny how this song can contrast with Syke’s dope-slanging type songs coz its about the same day-to-day cycle but much more upbeat and happy! It’s a nice song though, on the same level as ‘Good Timez,’ as I said.

16. RideOnUm ft Swerv & Sundae – produced by Vachik

RideOnUm is Syke’s lable, the song is the standard introduction to both label and its line up. In order to make the big impression, the rapping and the beat is both very hard, in fact, the bass is very cutting and sounds like a motorbike engine. Not that good a song though, just the average ‘exploding on the scene’ type track.

Hidden Bonus Cuts

Leave the CD spinning on for about a minute more and you get 2 extra cuts! Both are bonus songs so they’re not involved in the overall result

Big Syke Daddy RMX

This remix sounds a lot better than the original. Instead of being the moany-type ***** song, it has a harder beat with louder drums and a better bassline. Much better

Good Timez RMX

Sounds slightly quicker and has a bit more of a jump to it including some string instruments rather than bass guitar. The original is a bit better though

Conclusion:

‘Big Syke Daddy’ is a dope CD, I don’t doubt that, but at the same time it’s nothing too special. The chances are if you’re a Tupac or an Outlawz fan, you will pick this up. You’ll definitely recognise a lot of reused lines. For those who aren’t too hot on the Outlaw tip, this is a nice CD to pick up for some mellowed out beat and Syke catches a lot of good sounding hooks and his voice is very powerful and ominous, but with the complimentary introduction of Syke’s new acts ruin the OG feel to the overall result and I reward it 3/5.