Week of May 13-19

The Beatnuts Take It Or Squeeze It
Loud
New York's underground beat genius's return to the hip-hop scene with another solid release. JuJu and Psycho Les pick up where they left off on their last release "Musical Massacre". "No Escapin This", the first single, is a typical Beatnuts party song with Greg Nice on the hook letting all the sucker emcees know you can't escape the Beatnuts' wrath. The group also re-unites with former member Al Tariq on "It's Da Nuts" and "Hammer Time". "Prendelo" feat. Tony Touch is a cut dedicated to weed. Beatnuts also attempt to make the clubs jump with "Let's Git Doe" feat. Fatman Scoop. The production on this CD was held down like on previous releases by themselves, whic has always been the group's selling point because they are always one step ahead of the game. "Hood Thang" is there usual sex song which a Beatnuts album isn't complete without.

Slimm Calhoun The Skinny
Aquemini Records
Andre and Big Boi of OutKast jump into the CEO seats with their own label Aquemini, as they introduce the world to their first artist Slimm Calhoun. His first release "The Skinny" is destined to be a classic. The production on this album was done by Earthtone III and Organized Noize who brought us hits by Goodie Mob and OutKast. Even though he has heavy hitters on the production, he doesn't let that outshine him on the lyrical tip. "Dirt Work" feat. Big Boi, "Well", "It Ain't Easy", and "On tha Grind" are cuts that will definitely appeal to the Chevy drivers of the world. The first single "The Cut Song" has Mr. Calhoun on a straight sexcapade over a bounce from a lyrical perspective. Slimm is very diversified as he skates through topics like sex, drugs, and violence as well as any pryor southern MC.

DPG Dillinger & Young Gotti
DPG
Former Death Row Inmates Daz and Kurupt a.k.a. Tha Dogg Pound return with their first group effort since 1995. After two solo albums by each artist, and numerous contract disputes, they finally bypassed all the red tape and put this album out independently. The entire CD is produced by Daz himself and famed Rap-A-Lot producer Mike Dean. Daz and Kurupt stick to their original roots with rough Gangsta tales over G-funked out beats. Former Death Row labelmate RBX lends a helping hand on the chorus of "Dipp wit Me". Xzibit appears on "We Livin Gangsta Life", and Beanie Siegel puts it down on "best Run". Other than these tracks, Daz and Kurupt show that they have grown from BG's to OG's. Other standout cuts include "Party At My House", "You're Jus A Bitch", and "Shit Happens". Even with the absence of Snoop and Dre, Daz and Kurupt still manage to give up some bangin material.

Hi-Tek Hi-Teknology
Rawkus
One half of the group Reflection Eternal, DJ Hi-Tek, resurfaces after a successful release with Talib Kweli, with his solo debut. Unlike most producers who release solo efforts, you won't hear Hi-Tek on the mic much. He sticks to impressing us with his tracks, even though the title track "Hi-Teknology" does have him spitting a quick somethin, this disc is really a continuation of the Reflection Eternal project. The production is very smooth and soulful. "The Sun God" featuring Common and Vinia Mojica is my favorite. Hi-Tek enlists his homies like Slum Village, Mos Def, Cormega, and Talib Kweli to add major lyrical flavor. "The Illest It Gets" features Buckshot kickin one of the best rhymes I've heard from him in years. All in all, this is a good CD and should widen Hi-Tek's fan base.

John Gotti Cut Throat
Big Pockets Records
After the success of No Limit and Cash Money Records, New Orleans has quickly become a hip-hop force to be reckoned with. The next label to try and make a dent is Big Pocket records, with their first artist being John Gotti. Unfortunately, Mr. Gotti needs to find a style and delivery of his own. Tracks were done by Mr. Sinista and Kriz Kang. Despite having two producers, it sounds as if they had one because the tracks rarely changed. Strong songs are "Cut Throat" and "Lil Daddy", other than that, this CD is full of recycled N.O. slang and simulated beats.