I know some people hate the term, and I rarely subscribe to it, but if this isn't overproduced then nothing is. It's a shame.
Heralded in underground circles as a hidden gem, this is better than a lot of mainstream music, however, there are also many better albums most people haven't heard. The rappers aren't overly distinctive, hooks aren't extremely contagious, the topics aren't anything new, and it does sound like so much other g-funk. It's a nice soulful/funky listen that makes so much hip hop from the '90s great though. It's well worth a listen but it didn't quite live up the hype for me.
Best Tracks: Hustler, No One's Gonna Play You
If you are/were a big fan of Slaughterhouse, you will enjoy the topics on offer here, as you would also find interesting the controversy surrounding this album from its other group members. Joell and Crooked reflect on and give us the inside story on the background of the group and what went wrong. As you'd expect, it's rapped well, but the production and songs aren't good enough for repeated listens or to rate this any higher. 'Fukglasshouse' was the first song to catch my attention with its harder production, and the album does get a bit stronger from there.
Best Tracks: Fukglasshouse, Brothers Keeper 2, Smoke, Coastin'
This is right between a 3-3.5 for me. It's a really easy listen with some well known songs being used as samples like Slick Rick's 'Hey New World' on 'Love, Peace & Nappiness', and I-Level's 'Give Me' on 'So Love', but there isn't anything amazing from a time period with lots of great boom bap. It doesn't sound brilliantly mixed either. It's worth noting that Canibus kills 'Beasts from the East'.
Best Tracks: Me and My Crazy World, Beasts from the East, Love Peace & Nappiness, What's Wrong, Games, From My Family to Yours (Dedication)
I heard 'Gimme Room' on a YouTube stream playing underground hip hop and thought that I needed to check the album out ASAP. Nothing beats the aforementioned song, but there are a number of other high moments with Rhyme being an engaging spitter. Listening to this I was unsure where he was from. There is boom bap, but also some g-funk, and he seems to shout out both areas. I can't find any info on Rhyme himself but the album seems to have been recorded in Chicago. Worth checking out.
Best Tracks: Devil's Advocate, Gimme Room, West Side Till I Die, Necessary Evil, Black Eyes in the Game