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Week of Oct 1-7
DJ Hurricane Don't Sleep
Former Beastie Boys' dee Jay, DJ Hurricane , brings forth his second solo release. In 1995 he released "The Hurra" which didn't fair too well. In the Y2K, Hurricane has regrouped and bounced back. This CD packs a lot of gutter underground tracks all produced by DJ Hurricane. Standout cuts are: "Connect" featuring Xzibit, Big Gipp, and Pharoache Monch. "Blow It Up" with Hittman and "Come Get It" with Flipmode Squad. Hurricane really showcases his production skills and doesn't rhyme much on this album, but he fills the void with all stars such as, Talib Kweli, Lost Boyz, Public Enemy, Kool G Rap, Heather B, AdRock, Black Thought, and Choclair. With a line-up like this, my advice to you is...Don't Sleep.
E-40 Loyalty & Betrayal
Mr. "Pop Ya Collar", E-40 , returns with a very strong offering for the Y2K. Unlike many of his other releases, E-fonzerelly, enlist the help of all his industry homies such as, Mack10, 8-Ball, Nate Dogg, t he Click, Ice Cube, Too Short, Pimp C, Pastor Troy, Baby, Mystikal, Suga T, and J azzy Pha. "Nah, Nah" is the summer jam of the year! "To Whom It May Concern" should be listened to by all aspiring artists. The tracks to check for are: "Behind Gates", "Doin' the Fool", "Its Pimpin'", and "Sinister Mob." E-40 definitely stays on top and true to form by putting his fans on the latest lingo. The CD is very smooth, the tracks bang, and E-40's lyrics are a perfect blend.
Flesh-N-Bone 5th Dog Let Loose
In September 2000, Mr. Flesh-N-Bone was sentenced to 11 years in prison on weapon charges. The CD might be his last. "Way Back" with Layzie Bone is a tribute to Eazy E, 2-Pac, and Biggie. Unfortunately, if this CD is to be Flesh's legacy, it won't be a good one. The production is so bland and boring, I had a hard time listening to it at all. "Kurupted Flesh" with Kurupt is one of the few bright spots. Flesh spends the majority of this CD trying to spit rhymes about thuggin' and Cleveland, which are cool topics, but without anything different. He just gets lost in the shuffle. Unfortunately for Flesh, the 5th Dog is Loose, but where's he going?
Ja Rule Rule 3:36
On Ja Rule's second release he tries something different. His first single "Between Me & You" is a successful attempt at radio airplay which starts this CD off perfectly. Irv Gotti continues his masterful production which is a perfect blend of JA's grimy style. Ja Rule lyrically can easily be compared to 2 PAC with his constant references to God, sin, life and death. Ja Rule is at his best on tracks like "Watching Me", "6 Feet Underground", "Die" and "Love Me, Hate Me". This CD propelled JA from gold to platinum status and secured him a spot in hip-hop for years to come. Everyone should follow Rule 3:36. Buy this CD.
Major Figgas Figgas 4 Life
Gillie da Kid, AB Live, Bianca, Bump, Dutch, Rolx, and Spade make up the six man one female crew from Philly, Major Figgas . They first hit the scene with the radio hit "Yeah That's Us". This CD is full of tales of sex, money, and violence told by some of Philly's best emcees. My disappointment in this CD was the weak attempt at commercial appeal. A lot of the songs come off corny due to their sing-songy hooks. The standout cuts are: "Is It My Style" and " I Love Being a Gansta". I really think the group should have stuck to their underground roots. Gillie da Kid is a dead ringer for Jay Z in his delivery which may help or hurt his solo career. You be the judge.
M.O.P. Warriorz
Hip Hops' most aggressive group is back with the hot shit! Billy Danze and Lil Fame comeback from a stellar '98 release to take the industry by storm "Ante Up", the first single, is straight...warning all the bling-bling wearing fake rappers what a hungry MC will do. Production is held down by DJ Premier on over half of this CD and this is a combination made in hip-hop heaven. "G Building", "Face Off 2K1", "Warriorz" and "Calm Down" is the shit! M.O.P. keeps the CD true to hip-hop form by not cluttering it with guest appearances only "Lord have mercy", Production G&B and Labelmate Tephlon shows up. This is by far M.O.P.'s best offering showing why they are true Warriorz.
Scarface The Last of a Dying Breed
The Southern Rap Legend, Mr. Scarface , returns with what is suppose to be his retirement album. This CD continues the legacy of this platinum plus MC. The first single, "It Ain't" is his opinion of all the bling-blinging going on in hip-hop today. This entire CD was CD-produced by Scarface. Guest appearances are made by UGK on "They Down With Us", which is a re-make of KRS-1's "Still Number One". J ayo Felony, Daz, and Kurupt are "O.G. to Me". Jay Z on "Get Out", Too Short on "In and Out", and Redman on "And Yo". In exiting the rap game to become a CEO at Def Jam South, Scarface leaves us fiending for more.
| Sept 24-30... |