This had been on my to-listen-to list for quite some time. Given it's a mixtape, is probably why I waited a long time to check it out. It features WC over some big instrumentals from hits around the time of release like Nas' 'Thief's Theme', J-Kwon's 'Hood Hop', 'Ante Up' from M.O.P. and Lloyd Bank's great 'On Fire', to name a few. There are also some Dub-C solo songs like 'The Streets' and his hits with Westside Connection, 'Bow Down' and 'Gangsta's Make The World Go Round'. Because we only get snippets and not the full four minute tracks with hooks, the catchiness isn't here but WC is a unique enjoyable spitter and the beats are enjoyable. It's worth checking out but probably won't stay in rotation for too long.
Best Tracks: I Ain't the One, Warrior Pt. 2, Why I Love You, Gangsta's Make the World Go Round, Hood Hop, Bow Down, 24 Hours to Live, On Fire, Not Your Average Joe, The Streets, Ain't No Fun, That's My Name, Get Ya Walk On (Rmx)
This is a solid pop/R&B project with a few standout moments. The opener, 'Get Away', carries a vibe reminiscent of 'Always on Time', which interestingly came out just a few months later. 'When You Look At Me' is easily the catchiest track here — and rightfully her biggest hit. Beyond those, the album experiments with a range of styles, but none leave a lasting impression. After a few listens, nothing truly sticks or begs for a replay.
Best Tracks: Get Away, When You Look At Me
Bobby is one of the most underrated to do it. This one slipped me by until about four months post release. Here is his second soundtrack album after 'Hollywood Hearts' from 2016. And after just reading my review of that, the same words can be used to describe this one. It's an enjoyable fairly consistent listen but it just doesn't have the high moments he has blessed us with before. While maybe more consistent, the high moments here are below what's on 'Hollywood Hearts' and any other full length project he's dropped.
Best Tracks: Forever Never Lasts, Karma, Killa
The reviewer who compared this group to The Pharcyde and Tha Alkaholiks was spot on. Despite their Southern roots, their sound leans heavily East Coast. While everything is solid, I’ve never been a big fan of that playful, offbeat style of hip hop, and nothing here really rises above a 7/10 for me. There’s nothing that stands out as exceptional. Also, the frequent interludes—no matter how short—feel unnecessary and break the momentum between tracks.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★
Hooks: ★★★
Best Tracks: 85 South, The Plant, Dirty Road White Girl, You Wouldn't Understand
This is just boring. That's the word for it. I can enjoy gospel music, but very few, if any, of these songs develop into anything. I don't have the want to listen to this again to really pinpoint any half decent tracks.