So my favourite R&B artist teamed up with the biggest name in hip hop/pop-rap. This concept was originally planned by R. Kelly to be with Pac at first when, according to Kelly, they bumped into each other outside a hotel in '96 and discussed it. From there, the plan turned to collaborating with Biggie. However, instead we have Jay-Z as the rapper. The two had previously collaborated successfully on 'Guilty Until Proven Innocent', 'We Ride' from the album 'R.' and the 'Fiesta Remix'. So the anticipation was probably high for this project back in '02, as all of those songs are pretty great. Unfortunately, not a lot works well enough to live up to any expectation though.
1. The Best of Both Worlds 53/100
"I eat Ether and breathe acid, weak bastards." This is the one reference to the Nas beef from what I hear. The first song is repetitive. It feels like a never-ending chorus and should have been half the length for the introduction. It tries to be epic but doesn't quite work.
2. Take You Home With Me 48/100
Like with the next song, these two chick oriented tracks are nothing to write home about. The chorus is okay, but the production is weak.
3. Break Up to Make Up 46/100
The version on 'Unfinished Business' is better. Average production and nothing great vocally from either artist.
4. It Ain't Personal 70/100
This one gets topically more serious and away from the pop-rap. There's better production than what has come before but it could still be better. I don't find Jay as a rapper to be very engaging who talks through this two verses. You'll like this song more if you are a bigger Jay-Z fan than I am.
5. The Streets 94/100
One of two solo produced R. Kelly tracks and he kills it. Like 'Don't Let Me Die' on their next album, there is just more passion in this one. It was the only song I remembered well upon revisiting this album from a long time ago.
6. Green Light 82/100
A high energy hip hop track that is one of the best. Dope chorus. Bangin' beat.
7. Naked 60/100
The one R. Kelly solo song also produced by him. It doesn't build up and erupt like the best R. Kelly ballads. The production is fairly light on with Kells basically going acapella for some of it.
8. Shake Ya Body 40/100
While the production is somewhat original, it's not very pleasing and I'm not big on the hook either.
9. Somebody's Girl 69/100
It's a closer contest than 'Break Up to Make Up', but the remix of this on 'Unfinished Business', 'She's Coming Home With Me', is better. Again, Kelly provides a catchy hook.
10. Get This Money 54/100
Comes and goes . There's nothing much to write about this one.
11. Shorty 40/100
As above. Apart from Kells' "Shorty!" vocals nothing excites. Average production and probably the worst song that doesn't sound like a lot of love went into the creation of it. There are elements of some great funk but they weren't developed.
12. Honey 70/100
This features the Bee Gees' 'Love You Inside Out' sample, which is hard not to enjoy somewhat, used more famously on 'Ups & Downs' by Snoop Dogg.
13. Pussy 63/100
Devin provides an enjoyable verse that helps, but the production doesn't quite do enough.
Overall, the production, predominantly from Poke & Tone of the Trackmasters and R. Kelly, isn't brilliant. The sound isn't that diverse, and the attempt to suit both the singing and rapping probably contributed to this. As mentioned, 'The Streets' is the only song that I have played occasionally from this over the years. It's definitely not the worst thing in the world and is only so low due to people thinking they are making a difference by giving something by R. Kelly a 0. A decent 2/5. Their follow up, 'Unfinished Business' is the more consistent project.
Beats: ★★☆
Rapping/Vocals/Bars: ★★★
Hooks: ★★★☆
Best Tracks: It Ain't Personal, The Streets, Green Light, Somebody's Girl, Honey
-md.jpg)
Comments