"Im'ma stay real like Erick Sermon / Won't get caught jacking off like Pee-wee Herman"
There isn't anything amazing here, but like on his debut, Shaq has a great production team behind him. RZA offers a very original Wu-Tang-like beat with the opener. The heartfelt 'Biological Didn't Bother (G-Funk Version)' gives off an obvious g-funk feel as does the following 'My Dear'. Elsewhere, there is a bit of funk and gritty hardcore hip hop. Shaq again offers some humour and he was obviously a lover of the genre with a number of references to classic rappers along with some very '90s references including to 'Ace Ventura', 'Speed' and Pee-wee Herman quoted in the hilarious bars at the top of this review.
I can't not enjoy these beats, the various Nas and Biggie samples, and Shaq is likeable on the mic too. It was '94. It was more difficult to make a bad hip hop album than a good one.
Best Tracks: Biological Didn't Bother (G-Funk Version), (So U Wanna Be) Hardcore, Nobody, Shag-Fu: Stand & Deliver
Some of these beats are just too 'primitive' in terms of where production got to over the next 5-10 years in the genre for me to rank this up there with the best of the best despite its importance. The DJ cuts improve as the album progresses. I ain't really feeling 'Eric B. Is on the Cut' at all, but from 'Chinese Arithmetic' to 'Extended Beat' they become worthy. Lots of memorable lines, but all of their albums have better production from here. 3.5-4/5
Best Tracks: Paid In Full, As The Rhyme Goes On, Eric B. Is President, Extended Beat
As far as Eric B. & Rakim albums go, I probably enjoy this one the most from beginning to end. That is largely due to '92 production being so great when compared to E&R's previous albums. Apart from a few songs in the middle that I don't feel a lot ('Rest Assured' - 'Relax With Pep') it starts and finishes well. A consistent listen throughout the twelve tracks.
Best Tracks: What's on Your Mind, Pass the Hand Grenade, Keep the Beat, Know the Ledge, Don't Sweat the Technique
I get enjoyment out of pretty much everything here, but after a number of spins, I am left with too much of a feeling of familiarity from track to track. The opener is my pick from the album.
Best Tracks: Blessing, Come Runnin', Sunday
A cocky title, but he backs it up. Some really good R&B is present here, and the quality never slips too much. Vocally, he sounds quite similar to The-Dream, but his voice is probably a bit better. If you like The-Dream, Ne-Yo, etc, this is worth checking out.