"Many people tried to say I fell off/He went r&b, now his rap is all soft/But if you say that on stage, I'll prove you wrong/And wax that ass, rappin off a love song/Cause with the street in all battles I'm still hard" - 'Looks Like a Job For...'
After the more polished, pop-leaning previous album failed to make an impact, BDK returned to 'real hip-hop' with this one. It kicks off with the title track, produced by Trackmasters, which stands among his best work. In an interview, BDK admitted that this album didn’t meet his expectations either. Listening to artists like Nas and Method Man at the time, he realised he hadn’t evolved his flow enough. But his delivery here is as sharp as ever, and that’s not a complaint I have—this is rock-solid boom bap from start to finish, with just one R&B-leaning track, 'Very Special,' in the middle, as he often liked to do.
Small details elevate certain tracks: the hook on 'Here Comes Kane, Scoob and Scrap' is infectious, adding a darker contrast to the verses, while 'Give It to Me' keeps things fresh with an engaging switch-up about 80 seconds in, incorporating samples and scratching.
Though 'Looks Like a Job For...' didn’t achieve the success Kane had hoped for, it stands as a testament to his consistency and skill. Up until this point in his discography, for someone who doesn't generally adore '80s beats, it’s his most cohesive album, delivering solid production and sharp lyricism throughout. As was often the case in ’93, the producers—Kane included—did their thing, crafting a sound that kept the album grounded in classic boom bap. I revisited this album to write the review and I had originally underrated it.
Beats: ★★★★
Rapping/Bars: ★★★★
Hooks: ★★★☆
Best Tracks: Looks Like a Job For..., How U Get a Record Deal, Stop Shammin', Here Comes Kane, Scoob and Scrap, 'Nuff Respect (Remix)
1. Looks Like a Job For... 93
2. How U Get a Record Deal 90
3. Chocolate City 74
4. Prelude
5. The Beef Is On 73
6. Stop Shammin' 90
7. Brother Man, Brother Man 64
8. Rest in Peace 74
9. Very Special 60
10. Here Comes Kane, Scoob and Scrap 80
11. Niggaz Never Learn 72
12. Give It to Me 70
13. 'Nuff Respect (Remix) 84
14. Finale
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