| Reviews Reviews are based on a point system. 1=bootee, 10=masterpiece |
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| Naughty By Nature- IIcons: Though not groundbreaking by any means, IIcons reaffirms that Naughty still has their party groove going on, and the groove is fine. Treach definitely isn't shy about saying so, laying claim to his group's place in hip-hop history throughout with words like "When you say 'Naughty by Nature' you say the word 'icon.'" And if you think about it, he's right. The Illtown, New Jersey, duo has been around since the early '90s, and they boast a string of monster hits (notably "O.P.P." and "Hip Hop Hooray") that helped prove rappers can cultivate a pop sound while maintaining their ever-important street credibility. But can these icons hang in today's uneasy rap scene? Of course. Treach's sharp flow and Vinnie's personable delivery are complemented by an array of producers and guests. Da Beatminerz lace a squealing trumpet riff throughout "Naughty by Nature," adding emphasis to Carl Thomas's reggae-inflected hook. Elsewhere, Pink's sultry vocals and dry asides power the club-friendly "What U Wanna Do," while "Feels So Good" is a surprisingly dance-oriented treat, thanks to 3LW's giddy chorus. 7.75 OUT OF 10 |
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| Master P's younger brother is at it again. But it's just the same as always. C-Murder is not messing with his uninspired but nonetheless platinum-plated formula. Following the success of his Life or Death and Bossalinie offerings, C-Murder returns with 18-tracks that are sure to impress his fans, but probably won't convert anyone else. Musical highlights include the heavily Tupac-influenced "I'm A Baller" track with its reverbed ad-libs and synthesizers. Then there's the guitar and pattering snare of "This Or That" and the eerie pianos and keys on "How A Thug N**** Likes It." But like his previous efforts the subject matter never leaves the streets. Tracks and musical ideas repeat like broken records. This is gangsta rap, not at its best, but adequate enough for day-to-day bump in your Jeep. 6 OUT OF 10 |
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| Blackalicious- Blazin Arrow: Blackalicious's debut, Nia, was grossly underrated despite emcees Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel's witty, Afro-centered conceptual leanings. Blazing Arrow picks up where Nia left off, but features a more mature-sounding duo utilizing even tighter beats and more cerebral rhymes. When they're teaming up with fellow West Coasters like Dilated Peoples' Rakka Iriscience ("Passion") or Jurassic 5's Chali 2NA ("4,000 Miles"), the results are off the meter. The sheer number of well-utilized guest spots from non-rap genres (Ben Harper, Rage Against the Machine's Zach de la Rocha) and downright catchy choruses ("Sky Is Falling," "Make You Feel That Way") expand mainstream rap's limited new-school paradigms in ways that are desperately needed. Although the duo still aren't anywhere near the most-skilled emcee's in the Bay Area's burgeoning underground movement, "Paragraph Preside" is a must-hear track, featuring wildly schizophrenic rhyme chemistry and wily wordplay. At a time when dullards like Fabolous get props for being a skilled emcee, any rhyme duo that is more interested in pushing envelopes than licking 'em deserves your ducats. 9.5 OUT OF 10 |