Fredro Starr Firestarr
KOCH
I guess the mad face invasion isn't over, as former Onyx member Fredro Starr steps out on a solo mission. Fredro doesn't completely abandon his grimy style like on "Thug Warz" w/ the Outlawz, it's a bouncy thug club anthem. Fredro at times seems to be lost and out of place without his former group, but Sticky Fingaz does appear on "Soldierz". This CD isn't bad, it just never hits the mark on creating a distinct sound. "Perfect Bitch" is tight and has Fredro creating the perfect woman using movie stars and singers. "What if" is also very clever.
Smut Peddlers Porn Again
Rawkus/Eastern Conference
DJ Mighty Mi, Mr. Eon, and Cage make up the Smut Peddlers. With a name like Smut Peddlers, I first expected straight sexual related rhymes ala 2 Live Crew. Fortunately, that's not the case. Eon and Cage spit raw rhymes with an occasional sexual punchline. "That's Smut", the first single, is a blend of hip-hop and sexual cleverness. "Josie" is a story about a turned-out prostitute. "My Rhyme Ain't Done" is a remake of an LL Cool J classic. Porn Again's strongest point is the production by DJ Mighty Mi which ranges from scratching to funk to eerie sounds. Smut Peddlers definitely is a group to watch in 2001.
Dirty The Pimp & Da Gangsta
Universal
Entering the southern hip-hop game hailing from Montgomery, Alabama
is Dirty; consisting of members Big Pimp and Mr. G Stacks. After several
underground releases, Dirty has finally landed a major deal with Universal
Records. I must admit at first glance of the cover, I was a bit confused
about the two bothers sitting in front of an abandoned house looking way too
country., but once I pushed play on my disc player I knew this group was for
real. Dirty combines tongue twisting with smoothed-out player
lyrics. The first single, "Hit Da Floe" is a smooth club banger
with radio appeal. The production was held down by D and Dr. Fingaz, and
they both supply straight fire for Big Pimp to drop his pimped out lyrics, and G
Stacks to bang out straight gangsta tales. Tracks to check for are "Twinkys",
"Yeen Heard", and the Keith Sweat inspired "Candyman", which
will leave the ladies dazed. Dirty will quickly become household names in
southern hip-hop.
Raheem Word of Mouth