Week of Nov 26 - Dec 2

Backwoods Gorgia Power 
Lowland Entertainment
Independent rap group, Backwoods, hailing from Savannah, GA, serves the world up a dose of Gorgia Power. This two man crew makes a valid attempt to put their sound in the game. Lyrically, they don't cover any new ground. Their flow is similar to many other southern MCs before them, a lot of screaming and yelling! Their production is "ok" but the quality is questionable. At times, it's very muddy. "Gorgia Power", the title track is a club banger. It also includes the Atlanta Braves chant. Also check out "Set the Club on Fire", "Yippi-Ci-Yaa-Ya", and "Get it Right". Backwoods seem to be a developing group, but will definitely become a hip-hop power.

B.G. Checkmate 
Cash Money
Checkmate is the latest release by Cash Money Records' artist, B.G. As usual, all the production was completed by Mannie Fresh. This time around, Mannie dug into his bag of tricks and gave us some different sounds which proved to work because this is one of B.G.'s best efforts. B.G. is up to task and matches Mannie's production with some of the roughest rhymes I've ever heard by him. "Problems" has B.G. in storytelling mode about things ladies do while their men are in jail. "Ah-Ha", "Run With My Chopper", "Gun Slinger", and "I Know" are all cuts to peep out. I predict "Hennessy & XTC" will be a classic club cut. No Cash Money release isn't official without the Big Tymers, Lil Wayne, Turk, and Juvenile. As usual, they put it down to the fullest. This CD is just another platinum plague on the wall for B.G.

Capone-N-Noreaga The Reunion 
Tommy Boy
CNN is back and in full effect. After Capone's jail-time and Noreaga's two platinum solo releases, the crew CNN has re-united! Capone-N-Noreaga went to some of New York's top producers to create this classic. "Invincible" was done by DJ Premier and it is so bangin', my CD player got stuck on repeat! "Bang Bang" is a thug track with Lil Kim dissed by Foxy Brown. Nas represents on "BEZ" and so does Mopp Deep on "Queens Finest". Noreaga lyrically hasn't changed. His stories of sex and crime compliments Capone's slick thug style to a "Tee." "All We Got is Us" is a true testament to CNN's brotherhood. This CD is a must buy for east coast hip-hop heads.

Doggy's Angels PLEEZBALEEVIT! 
Doggyhouse Records
Big Snoop Dogg's label Doggyhouse Records give the world it's second group, female emcees, Doggy's Angels . Group members, Kola, Chan, and Coniyac aren't new jacks to the scene. They have west coast recording history which dates back to the late Eazy E. Legendary west coast producers, Battlecat and Meech Wells, supplied the beats and they blend perfectly with the Angels' flow. " Baby If You're Ready", the first single is the only track that I didn't like. It's too rubbish. Banging cuts such as "Curious" with Nate Dogg, "Game to Get" with labelmates, Tha Eastsidaz, "Told You So" and "Pleezbaleevit" makes this CD a must buy. "Yak & Koke" is gonna be a west coast classic. If you ain't bumpin' Doggy's Angels, you ain't bumpin'---pleezbaleevit.

8ball & MJG Space Age 4eva 
JCOR Entertainment
8Ball & MJG are back! This CD is their first since their departure from Suave House Records. This CD isn't bad, but it's probably their worst release to date. Mainly because their producer of all their previous CDs, T-Mixx, isn't present to provide that vintage 8Ball & MJG sound. Instead of T-Mixx, the production is handled by a variety of producers such as Jazzy Pha, who laid down the smooth cut, "Thingz" and the soon-to-be classic, "Pimphard". He also did the club anthem "At tha Club". L.A. veteran, DJ Quik, produced "Buck Bounce" , "Jankie" and "Ruff Ryder". Swizz Beats did "Thank God" and "Boom Boom". MJG also contributes his production skills on "Collard Greens", "Alwayz" and the title cut, "Space Age 4 Eva". In using so many producers, they fail to capture their sound. 8Ball & MJG still lyrically bring the heat with their pimped out lyrics. They continue to represent Orange Mound to the fullest on every cut. Even though this isn't their best CD, it's still a solid product.

Towdown By Prescription Only 
D.I.M.E Records
At first glance of the CD cover, my thoughts were "What the Hell?!", but after one listen, I became an addict. Coming straight outta Houston, Texas, TowDown automatically destroys any Eminem comparisons due to skin color. Texas producer, Grizz, brings the heat on a production level. Each track is a trunk rattler with TowDown bringing up the rear with his laid back flow, rhyming like a artist without a deal. TowDown also has a cast of friends like the late DJ Screw, Hawk, and Big Pokey on "Country Rap Tune", Southpark Mexican on "Slant Eyes", C-Note on "The Virus" and Mr. 3-2 on "Uh, Ah, Oh". I advise everyone to go get your prescription of TowDown filled.

Trully Amazzing (aka Tazz) Hated With Respect 
D.O.P Records
D.O.P. records recording artist, Tazz , burst onto the scene with his first full length CD. This CD is one of the best indi-releases I've ever heard this year. Tazz has a tight flow with a very unique delivery. The production will bump in plenty Chevys this winter. Songs to check for are "Currency", "Boss-Ability", "Strikly Reprezentin'", and the bangin' southern anthem, "Statechoklaim". Tazz is definitely going to be a force to reckon with in the Y2K1. Majors take notice.

Wu-Tang Clan The W 
Loud
Initially, I was excited to have the new Wu Tang CD because I used to be a big Wu Tang fan. So it seriously pains me to write this review. As usual this project was produced by the RZA . His style isn't as it once was. He doesn't create the abstract sounds like he did on their first release. All the members ( GZA, RZA, U-God, Master Killa, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Raekwon, Ghostface, Killah, and Method Man) can't re-capture the chemistry they once had. The best cuts are "The Jump Off", "Gravel Pit" and "Chamber Music". "Conditioner" is an ol' dirty bastard solo cut with Snoop Dogg. "Redbull" with Redman is also tight. Unfortunately, the W in this case stands for Waste of talent.

 

Nov 5-11...

...Dec 3-9