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Reviews
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Snoop Dogg
The Last Meal 12/00 3 |
Snoop Dogg has been in this game for a minute. He experimented a little bit on previous efforts, but he's gone back to his roots on his latest. Dre gets things started off rather nicely with "Hennesey N Buddah". You know, typical Snoop talking about his favorite past time. Surprisingly, Timbaland drops Snoop a nice track for the lead single "Snoop Dogg". The video is nice. It has the same girls from the "Up in Smoke Tour" DVD (go get that). As you all know, Suge is getting out of jail soon, but Snoop just wants him to "Go Away". This song almost has Snoop sounding annoyed by the threats that Death Row has been throwing his way. He still betta watch his step, Suge is a big dude. Oh yeah, a nice surprise is a throwaway NWA Reunion cut called "Set it Off". MC Ren is still the Ruthless Villain. Special guest on the track is The Lady of Rage. She is still spitting venom. I'd like to see her, Rah Digga and Eve battle for the top spot being that they're the only ones holding it down for the females. Overall, the CD is typical Snoop with the one track dedicated to No Limit fans (Master P just won't seem to die)....Trick Get Off Me!!! | |
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Xzibit
The Restless LP 12/00 4 |
The anticipation for this album was at an all time high. Dr. Dre: Executive Producer? This album was instantly dubbed a classic, especially after Dre's run with Chronic 2001. Does it live up to the hype....no. Is this album still slammin and worth every cent you spend on it...YES!!! You know what the problem with this album as with any Xzibit album? The beats can't keep up with the lyrics. If you're a fan, you understand what I'm saying. Lyrically, Mr. X to the Z just can't be f***ed with. Period. It's just his choice of beats and guest stars. While I don't mind the Liks poppin in on a few cuts, DJ Quik, Nate Dogg and everybody that ain't from the Likwit Crew should not have been on this album. Even the joint "produced" by and featuring Eminem seems out of place. Even with these mis-steps, this album is worth buying. "Front 2 Back" is a Rockwilder joint that uses hydraulic pumps to get the beat started. "X" is the Dre-produced lead single. One of the funniest XXX songs on the CD is "F***in You Right" where X is trying to tell his girlfriend why he sleeps around. My favorite songs on the CD are "Best of Things" & "Get Your Walk On". X is just straight spittin, back to back. Pick this up ASAP!!! | ||
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FunkMaster Flex
Volume IV: The Mixtape 12/00 2.5 |
The hypest DJ in the world returns with his 4th installment of the series for LOUD. He did the "Live at the Tunnel" CD for Def Jam with Big Kap. That joint was off the hook. Of course, all the big names are on this one too, but so what. DMX will get plenty of play with his cut "Do You", but to me, the song is pretty lightweight. At least he's trying to send a positive message. People continue to try & pump Jadakiss of the Lox up like he's a master lyricist or something. Look at the skills of the other two, of course he'd outshine them. He's OK, but he better not try to do a solo album. His song sucks. There's like 3 R&B tracks on there (Ginuine, Faith Evans & some no name group). I suggest you just skip all of those songs. Nelly continues to ride his wave of success on "Here We Come". It sounds like everything else he's currently putting out, but it's tolerable. I bobbed my head for a minute, and his flow is becoming pretty distinctive. Another missing Biggie tape pops up that should have stayed missing. The "Ante Up Remix" features Busta Rhymes and a few of M.O.P.'s friends. The remix is pretty much the same track with new rappers. I prefer the original. They should have just let Busta "bust" on it. Eminem & D-12 perform lazily over a laid back track with a corny hook "My Words are Weapons". JD even shows up with his latest prodigy, Lil Bow Wow. Eventhough I don't really dig JD too much, he gets props for all the work he's been putting in with shorty. All of his artists blow up and seem to do good for themselves, unlike some Bad Boys who always seem to be in trouble with the law. Lil Kim continues to suck. Ludacris shines. His next album should be pretty tight. He's got skills. Three Six mafia "Breaks the Law". Those crazy dudes from down south have a new fan. Their tracks work my system. Saukrates & Redman make a straight up banger. Overall, this CD is just OK. The tracks are either good or they just suck. Pick it up if you want. If you have a burner, go to Napster first. |
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Lyricist Lounge
Volume 2 12/00 4 |
The second installment of the series is off the hook! Just about every track has a well known MC paired with an up & coming MC. Some pairings work (Redman & Saukrates on "WKYA"), some are disappointing (QTip & Wordsworth on "Making It Blend"). While Redman shines as always, Q Tip continues his downward spiral. Pretty soon he's going to hit the pavement face first. He's dumbed his style down to the point where its just sad. Anyway, the E-Double comes thru on this cut with an up & coming MC where E is at his best (producing & MCing). He uses a LL sample ("Battle anybody, I don't care...") for the track and it comes off rather nicely. Eminem's right hand man, Royce the 5'9", drops some heat on the cut "Let's Grow". The "Ms. Fat Booty" remix (Mos Def with Ghostface) makes an appearance as well. Oh, and in case you don't know, the new M.O.P. is STILL off the hook. They make an appearance with Kool G. Rap on the cut "Legendary Street Team". The cut is on the CD twice, first as it was originally recorded, then a remix appears as a hidden cut at the end of the CD (Track 38). They have a new fan for life. Talib Kweli & dead prez ' track is one of the best tracks on the album. Aw man, Dilated Peoples track is off the hook too....just go out and buy this album. |
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