Time Is Illmatic

After selling over 3 million copies of He’s the DJ I’m the Rapper, it’s no wonder that DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s follow up album And In This Corner…was considered a flop, even though it earned the duo a gold plaque. Not only did it appear that the duo’s commercial success had come to an end, but Will Smith also ran into financial woes as the IRS ordered him to pay almost 3 million dollars in underpaid taxes. Around the same time, NBC execs approached Will about the idea of a sitcom based loosely about his life as a trouble kid from Philly, shipped away to live with his rich aunt and uncle in Bel Air. Will was onboard and the rest is history.

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air premiered in September of 1990 and was a success which helped reignite Will Smith’ career (and indirectly, Jeff’s), as they prepared to release their 4th album on Jive in 1991, Homebase. Homebase would go on to bring the duo their second platinum plate, restoring their relevance in this genre known as hip-hop.

Jeff and Will would go on to release one more album together (Code Red) before Will decided to go solo, releasing 4 consecutive albums that sold gold or better, including his solo debut Big Willie Style, which sold over 9 million copies. He was also on his way to becoming one of the highest grossing Hollywood actors of all time.

I wonder if Jeff ever feels a bit salty over all of Will’s success.

I’m All That – Over a Jazzy Jeff house beat instrumental that borders on corny Will talks his shit in his standard comical format. Decent start to the show.

Summertime – Easily, the best song the duo ever created. Production team Hula & Fingers hook up Kool & The Gang’s “Summer Madness” as Will paints the picture of the perfect summer day, complete with women, cars, family, and food over a laid back backdrop that will leave you feeling the warmth from the summer sun. Questlove wrote in an article that when The Roots lead emcee Black Thought first heard “Summertime” he called Quest and said: “It’s like he (Will) lost the animated happy flow and did Rakim’s “Paid In Full” flow…but better than Rakim!”. Now that’s praise.

The Things That U Do – Hip-hop love song marinated in r&b is the best way to describe this one. If you hate this song I completely understand. I’m fully aware or this song’s corniness but I still kind of like it.

This Boy Is Smooth – Jeff lays down a smooth instrumental for Will to get his Casanova on. Nice.

Ring My Bell – I’ve always hated this song and I think time has made me despise it even more. Jeff reworks Anita Ward’s classic of the same name and fails miserably. Will’s corny lines don’t help matters either.

A Dog Is A Dog – Hula & Fingers get their second production credit of the evening. Unfortunately its hot garbage.

Caught In The Middle (Love & Life) – I completely forgot about this one. Will’s in a rare (at least at this point in his career) serious mood as he discusses the frustrations of life getting in the way when you think you’ve found your true love. This was pretty nice. The piano solo during the bridge was a nice touch.

Trapped On The Dance Floor – Jeff lays down a solid instrumental that he even steps from behind the boards to spit a rare verse on along side Will, and their buddy El-Sid. Decent.

Who Stole The D.J. – This is more of the norm of what Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince fans were accustom to. Jeff hooks up an instrumental that incorporates a touch of the Get Smart theme song as Will plays detective looking to solve the mystery posed in the song’s title, which also happens to be a question posed without a question mark. Hip-hop could use more fun songs like this that don’t take themselves so serious.

You Saw My Blinker – Speaking of fun. This might be the funniest and simultaneously the hardest song in Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s catalog. In a deadpan voice Will repaints the day he got rear ended by a ninety year old lady. Hi-larious!

Dumb Dancin’ – The first 3 minutes of this song is corny mucher. The last 2 minutes is a wonderful ride on a sick instrumental.

Summertime (Reprise) – Plays as it reads.

The Ring My Bell (Mr. Lee’s Radio Mix) – This is a hidden track on the cd format. Same lyrics as the original, different instrumental. Still not feeling it.

The cassette version had a bonus song titled “Let’s Party”. I’ve never heard it, so if you have feel free to leave your thoughts on it in the comments sections.

For the most part, Homebase uses the same formula that Jeff & Will used throughout their career to this point: Lighthearted comical hip-hop with a pop appeal. Will does show some maturation on Homebase as he balances the comical pieces with a few serious joints, and even adds a little bass to his rapping voice. On the production side Jeff provides a few decent instrumentals (remember, he’s not responsible for “Summertime”), but in his attempt to adapt to the current trends, sonically, Homebase suffers a bit. There are some decent songs on Homebase, but it will always be remembered as the “Summertime” album.

-Deedub

When the discussion of greatest hip-hip producers of all time comes up names like Dr. Dre, Premo, Pete Rock, and Kanye West are commonly mentioned. Rarely do you hear Large Professor mentioned in the conversation, but it’s definitely a name that could legitimately be in the argument.

Large Professor, also known as Extra P first came on the scene in the late eighties laying down heat for the likes of Rakim, Kool G. Rap, and Tragedy (the Intelligent Hoodlum) to name a few. In 1989 he would link up with two Toronto deejays, Sir Scratch and K-Cut, forming the group Main Source. Main Source would eventually ink a deal with Wild Pitch and released their debut album Breaking Atoms in 1991.  Breaking Atoms received tons of critical acclaim and would later play a large (no pun intended) part in sparking the career of arguably QB’s greatest lyricist Nas, and Extra P would later be responsible for producing a third of Nas’ classic debut album Illmatic. Large Professor would leave Main Source after Breaking Atoms and go on to produce for a ton of other artist as well as pursue his own solo rap career.

Upon it’s release The Source gave Breaking Atoms a 4.5 mic rating, but in 2002 they revised the review and gave it 5 mics.

So, which review got it right?

Snake Eyes – In the game of craps, snake eyes is a term used when the roller rolls a one on both dice, which is the worst roll you can have. Over an up-tempo bass heavy instrumental Extra P uses the term as an analogy to explain certain individuals current lot in life. Nice start to the evening.

Just Hangin Out – Over his own smooth instrumental Extra P describes he and his crew’s daily deeds and he also manages to break off a few emcees in the process. The instrumental has a bit of a cinematic feel which makes the song sound even more intriguing.

Looking At The Front Door – This is the first single released from Breaking Atoms and easily my favorite Main Source song of all time, and in my opinion one of the top 10 hip-hop songs of all time (yeah, I said it). Over a dark futuristic spacey instrumental Extra P discusses he and his lady’s relationship and why he’s considering leaving her. From beginning to end this song is executed with perfection. Hip-hop classic.

Large Professor – Over yet another slick instrumental (wait…did he sample a wind chime for the break portion of the instrumental?) Extra P talks his shit with the intent of leaving his name imprinted on your brain, thus the song title.

Just A Friendly Game of Baseball – Even though this song was recorded over 20 years ago its message couldn’t be more relevant considering the recent Mike Brown and Eric Garner tragedies. Some of Extra P’s lines will move you to laugh and cry at the same time. Well done, Professor.

Scratch & Kut – The other two deejays that make up Main Source, K-Cut and Sir Scratch work the ones and twos over a sick Extra P production.

Peace Is Not the Word To Play – Extra P examines the misuse of the word “peace”. Another monster Extra P instrumental. I love the horn sample over the hook and the frantic pace of the drums.

Vamos A Rapiar – Over a triumphant piano sample Large Pro talks his shit, once again proven that he is the best producer on the mic. This is fire.

He Got So Much Cool (He Don’t Need No Music) – Decent.

Live At The Barbeque – This song is legendary as it is the first song that the lyrical god Nas first breathed life on as he spit a verse that left everybody wondering who he was and thirsting for more. Extra P and Nas are joined by two other Queens rookies Joe Fatal and Akineyle, who were never quite able to establish themselves in the heartless rap game. I believe Ak was able to make a little noise with his porn movies after his rap career was over.

Watch Roger Do His Thang – Decent.

Just A Friendly Game of Baseball (Remix) – Same as the original with a more aggressive instrumental than the original, which actually works better with the song’s content.

The 2006 pressing that I bought on CD had the following bonus tracks:

Fakin’ The Funk – This was originally released on the White Men Can’t Jump EP.  Extra P and Neek the Exotic (which has to be in the running for corniest rap moniker of all time) share microphone duties on this one. Extra P’s instrumental is sick on an Ebola type level. Easily one of my top 3 Main Source songs of all time.

Bonafied Funk – This was included on the Brand New Heavies’ Heavy Rhyme Experience 1, which was a compilation album with the band playing behind prominent emcees of the early nineties (an album that I’ll get to at some point in the near future). This song was decent at best.

Atom – The instrumental on this one is bananas! I love the horn sample that kicks in during the hook. This one definitely should have made the proper album, which would makes even more sense considering the album title.

Think -This sounds like an incomplete basement demo. It has potential but this version should have been left on the scrap heap.

Looking At The Front Door (Uncut) – Same as the original with a few minor tweaks to the lyrics on the final verse.

Time – Decent.

Large Professor is easily the best producer to ever pick up a mic, which is even scarier when coupled with the fact he is one of the sickest hip-hop producers of all time. Considering these facts it should be a surprise to no one that Breaking Atoms lives up to it’s name and is as close to perfection as an album can be (notwithstanding the bonus joints). From beginning to end, Extra P sounds at home dropping fresh lines over production that sonically covers traditional New York boom-bap to extraterrestrial sounds. If you consider yourself a fan of golden era hip-hip and you haven’t experienced Breaking Atoms there is a huge void in your soul that needs to be filled.

Did The Source Get It Right? Without question.

-Deedub

After the release of It’s a Compton Thang the Chill MC was sentenced to prison, leaving his partner in rhyme MC Eiht to carrier on the CMW torch by himself.  Well, not really by himself. He still had his DJ Mike T and the severely underrated production team of DJ Slip and The Unknown DJ. CMW followed up their debut in 1991 with their sophomore effort Straight Checkn’Em.

Like their previous record Straight Checkn’Em didn’t move a ton of units but it did garner quite a bit of critical acclaim and helped CMW developed a bigger core following, largely based on their biggest hit, that will discuss a little later in this post. CMW would go on to release one more album together before Eiht would drop the CMW title and go solo, though he would continue to work closely with DJ Slip and Mike-T.

Intro – Straight Checkn’Em opens with a medley of songs from It’s a Compton Thang…

They Still Gafflin – This could also be referred to as “One Time Gaffled ‘Em Up 2”. Not terrible but not very impressive, either.

Growin’ Up In The Hood – This is without question CMW’s biggest hit. This single was also included on the Boyz N The Hood Soundtrack, receiving heavy rotation during the summer of 91′. Eiht and what sounds like the Chill MC (making his only appearance on Straight Checkn’Em, which is useless as it’s clear he’s just reciting rhymes that Eiht wrote for him) each spit 2 verses about a young man coming of age in the hood and the obstacles the environment presents. The Slip & Unknown’s instrumental is dark and disturbing which complements the verses perfectly. This is a certified classic.

Wanted – Slip and Unknown sample a little Barry White, James Brown, and Funkadelic for the backdrop as Eiht weaves back and forth between gangsta posing and bragging about his microphone prowess. Nice.

Straight Checkn ‘Em – Eiht’s in straight emcee mode on this title track as he goes hard over this hard instrumental.

I Don’t Dance – And just like that, Straight Checkn’Em looses its momentum. The instrumental sounds like an attempt at a funk joint but ends up sounding like a bunch of noise. Eiht doesn’t even sound like he believes in this one.

Raised In Compton – Slip and Unknown chop up Young-Holt Unlimited’s take on the “People Make The World Go Round” record for this one as Eiht gives detailed verses of life coming up in Compton. Though it’s not as potent as Quik’s “Born And Raised In Compton”, it still works.

Driveby Miss Daisy – The title doesn’t quite fit Eiht’s verses, as neither of his murder tales would qualify as a drive-by shootings. Further more, neither of the shooting victims are women, which makes the song title even more ludicrous (and I aint talking about Christopher Bridges). Slip and Unknown sample Lou Donaldson’s “Pop Belly” record (which Main Source would use later the same year on “Just A Friendly Game of Baseball”) for the instrumental which gives the record a bleak feel that matches Eiht’s dark rhymes to perfection. I love the drunken piano stabs mixed with the gunshot sound bites scattered throughout the hook.

Def Wish – CMW carriers over the dark momentum from the previous song as Eiht sends relentless threats to all adversaries within earshot (I love his line “I’ll haunt your studio become your ghost lyricist”).  Premier used the same Blackbyrds sample for the Gang Starr record “Say Your Prayers” earlier the same year (this wouldn’t be the last time Slip and Unknown would borrow the same sample as Premier for a record). I actually prefer Slip and Unknown’s interpretation over Premier’s.

Compton’s Lynchin – Slip and Unknown pretty much rip off Johnny “Guitar” Watson “Superman Lover” wholesale as Eiht continues his assault on all competition. This was decent.

Mike T’s Funky Scratch – I found nothing funky about this scratch.

Can I Kill It? – Eiht poses this question to a couple of chicks concerning their twat. The Slip and Unknown instrumental samples Teddy Pendergrass’ “Love T.K.O.” (before Ahmad made it into a summertime anthem a few years later with “Back In The Day”) on the first verse and the Isley Brother’s “Footsteps in the Dark” (before Ice Cube used it for his hit record “It Was A Good Day”) for the second verse, with a touch of Shalamar’s “This Is For The Lover In You” on the hook.  This song is essential for midnight marauding. Or theme music while driving to a late night booty call. Which could also be one and the same.

Gangsta Shot Out – Slip and Unknown provide some sick dark piano stabs as the backdrop for Eiht to spit one quick verse before he gives his shoutouts and Straight Checkn’Em fades to black.

Straight Checkn’Em has a much darker feel than It’s a Compton Thang. With the absence of Chill, Eiht impressively steps up his emcee game as he holds down the entire album without any guest appearances (with the exception of “Growin’ Up In the Hood” which features Chill spitting a verse that was clearly written by Eiht), a feat rarely seen in the current era of hip-hop. Slip and Unknown create a cohesive dark mood throughout that Eiht sounds right at home spilling his verses over. In a year packed with monster albums, Straight Checkn’Em is one that gets severely overlooked.

-Deedub

I’ve had this in my collection for years, but some how when creating my spreadsheet I missed this one (and I’m sure as we continue this trip a few more will pop up that I overlooked). For those keeping track at home put this on right before Gang Starr’s Step in the Arena as this was released on the same day.

I remember being in 8th grade when today’s album came out. For some reason in 1991 twelve and thirteen year old kids were walking the halls of Susan B. Anthony Jr. High with pacifiers dangling from their mouths and filling up baby bottles with juice and water. We were young people going through growing pains physically and mentally but for one reason or another reverting back to acting babies. Maybe it was more rebelling than reverting. But I digress.

NWA put Compton on the map in the late eighties which opened the door for other acts (such as Compton’s Most Wanted) to represent (remember how over used that term was back in the day?) the CPT. David Blake, better known to the world as DJ Quik, created a buzz in the late eighties on the strength of his now legendary mix tape (at a time when mixed tapes were literally on tape) “The Red Tape” (not to be confused with The Game’s The R.E.D. Album), which was Quik’s way of pledging allegiance to the notorious LA Bloods which he has been open about being affiliated with for years. The labels got word of the mixed tape and Quik eventually signed with Priority (according to Quik he was the first artist to sign a 6 figure deal with the label) releasing his debut album Quik Is the Name in January of 1991. Quik Is the Name which was completely written and produced by Quik, was a commercial successful (as it was certified gold four months after its release and eventually platinum) and received favorable reviews from critics.

Let listen to the debut album of (in my opinion) one of the most underrated producers in hip-hop history.

Sweet Black Pussy – Our host doesn’t waste anytime with an intro, or start things off boasting about how dope he is on the mic or where he’s from. Instead, over a bouncy instrumental, the horny nineteen year old starts thing off telling the world how much he loves pussy. Specifically of the sweet black variety.

Tonite – This was the second single released from Quik Is the Name. Over a smooth instrumental (that includes samples from Kleeer’s song with the same song title (only spelled correctly) and Betty Wright’s “Tonight Is The Night”) Quik relives a weekend filled with chicks, weed, drinking and partying. This song is over 20 years old but it goes down just as smooth as it did the first time I heard it.

Born And Raised In Compton – This is the song that put Quik on the map. Quik samples a portion of Isaac Hayes’ “Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic” as source material for this funky instrumental. Certified banger. Classic.

Deep – Quik invites his homies D and KK from 2nd II None and AMG to join in on this cypher joint. Not great, but serviceable.

Tha Bombudd – Over a reggae-tinged instrumental Quik chants this ode to the bomb bomb weed.

Dedication – I remember this instrumental blowing my mind the first time I heard it back in the day. With the exception of Dre (as in the good doctor), sonically no one was making stuff like this. While the east coast had a grimier sound, Dre and Quik were pioneering a cleaner/smoother brand of hip-hop. Quik and friends use this one to shoutout all their peeps that passed away. This instrumental is still a monster.

Quik is the Name – The title song was the third and final single from the album. Quik’s line “I won’t compare my rhyme style to no gat, because to me that bullshit is super wack” sounds like a shot fired at somebody. If I was a betting man I’d said it was aimed at MC Eiht as he often compared his rhymes to guns, and the beef between those two was well documented. I love the cutting on the ones and twos during the chorus.

Loked Out Hood – This one kind of reminds me of Spice 1’s “187 Proof”. Not that “Loked Out Hood” is a story about different types of liquor, but Quik’s instrumental and story telling style sounds similar.  This is about as gangster as Quik would sound on Quik Is the Name, and compared to his contemporaries (i.e. NWA, Compton’s Most Wanted) this could be used on a Nick Jr. TV show.

8 Ball – Quik’s ode to the 40z of Old English aka “that liquid courage”.

Quik’s Groove – To ensure that the listener’s mind gets blown without interruption, Quik brings back the instrumental from “Dedication”, extends its, removes the shoutouts and lets it ride out all by itself.

Tear It Off – Our host invites AMG back to the booth for this duet. Quik speeds up the pace of his instrumental a few bpm’s and both emcees do a decent job keeping up with its frantic pace.

I Got That Feelin’ – Quik’s soulful instrumental borrows from an old Emotions’ joint as he slows things down a bit to put his mack game down.

Skanless –  Quik invites his whole crew (2nd II None, AMG, and Hi-C) into the booth to close out the album. I remember I use to quote this song line for line back in the day, and even after all these years Hi-C’s line “I got your fat pregnant bitch on my waterbed, I’m about to bust a nut on your little baby’s head” is sill hi-larious after all these years. None of the emcees spit memorizing rhymes, but instead its a bunch of young men spitting raunchy juvenile lines and having a good time over a slick Quik instrumental. Nice way to end the album.

1991 is arguably the best year in hip-hop as a lot of really dope albums were released. With so much quality wax being birthed Quik Is the Name is one that often gets forgotten (as I even forgot to include it in my original list when starting this blog). There is no doubt that Quik is a better producer than an emcee. Quik won’t make you hit the rewind button with his lyricism, but he manages to hold your attention with playful lines about women, weed, weather and gangsta shit delivered in his signature nasally high pitched vocal.  Sonically his layered production was a head of its time. There were other producers that used layered samples (i.e. The Dust Brothers, Bomb Squad, etc.), but Quick used live instrumentation (or synthesizer) underneath his samples, giving his instrumentals a cleaner sound opposed to his east coast counter parts dustier feel. Quik Is the Name is not the best album of 91′ but it definitely deserves more respect than it normally gets.

-Deedub

On the strength of his new jack swing/R&B flavored hits, Big Tyme earned Heavy his first platinum plaque. Things were looking bright for the crew, and then tragedy would strike. While touring during the summer of 1990, promoting the Big Tyme album, one of Hev’s back-up dancer Trouble T. Roy died from injuries that occurred after he fell from a parking ramp. T. Roy’s passing eventually led to Hev dedicating the follow-up album to his deceased friend, which he would title Peaceful Journey.

Hev would recruit some of the biggest and best producers in hip-hop for Peaceful Journey. While it didn’t move as many units as Big Tyme it did earn Hev his second consecutive platinum plaque and received pretty decent reviews.

I last wrote about Heavy D back in 2011, nearly 8 months before his untimely death. Dwight “Heavy D” Myers died of a pulmonary embolism that, according to the coroner’s office, probably occurred during an extended airplane ride. Heavy D was only 44 years old. Last week (November 9) marked the 3rd anniversary of Hev’s passing, and as I prepare to listen, review, and reminisce over Peaceful Journey, I still can’t believe he’s gone.

Now That We Found Love – This remake of the O’Jays classic was the second single  released from Peaceful Journey. This Teddy Riley produced version is a R&B/techno track designed to get the listener on the dance floor. Just in case the instrumental wasn’t enough to give it that crossover appeal, Riley’s invites his old Guy running buddy, Aaron Hall to sprinkle his soulful vocals on the hook. Hev does what he does best on this one: chop it up about girls and love. While he is far from being a top-notch lyricist he holds his own with his nimble flow. If you hate this song I understand, but I’ve always kind of liked it, even with it being a blatant attempt to reach the pop charts.

Let It Rain – Hev’s little cousin and future legendary hip-hop producer, Pete Rock provides a smooth instrumental over some of  his signature rough drums. Of course Hev uses this song to woo the ladies. I forgot about this song. This is pretty decent.

I Can Make You Go Oooh – Sticking with his theme, Hev maintains his focus on the ladies. Howie Tee (yes, Chubb Rock’s Howie Tee) provides a smooth instrumental that Hev smoothly rides like only Hev could do. Nice.

Sister Sister – Hev takes time to shoutout all the strong black women who sacrifice, strive, and succeed despite the odds being stacked against them. The Marley Marl produced instrumental has Marley’s signature R&B tinged feel but stays true to its hip-hop roots. Even if you can’t feel the instrumental you’ll definitely feel Hev’s heartfelt rhymes.

Don’t Curse – Our host invites Kool G Rap, Grand Puba, Big Daddy Kane, C.L. Smooth & Pete Rock (who also produced the track), and Q-Tip to this cypher joint with censorship as the theme. With a list of such legendary emcees you would expect this one to be epic. It’s not. PR’s instrumental is decent and all the emcees (with the exception of Pete Rock) stay on task and provide serviceable verses; but the song is missing that magic to make it special.

Peaceful Journey – If this isn’t my favorite Heavy D song it’s definitely top three. Eddie F chops up the bass line from The Jackson 5’s “This Place Hotel” and lays it underneath a soft synth melody which gives the instrumental a rough edge while still maintaining a somber feel. Heavy focuses on societal ills and the everyday struggle of the average Joe, easily making this one of his deepest songs, lyrically. This title track is ultimately a dedication to Trouble T. Troy, but it takes on an even deeper emotional connection now that Hev is gone.

The Lover’s Got What U Need – Marley Marl gets his second production credit of the night as he borrows from Diana Ross’ “Love Hangover” and turns it into a sick instrumental for Heavy to get his “brag on”.

Cuz He’z Alwayz Around – I never cared much for this Pete Rock produced joint. Now that I think about it, most of PR’s instrumental on Peaceful Journey are pretty underwhelming. Imagine that.

Is It Good To You – This was the lead single off of Peaceful Journey. You may also remember the same instrumental and hook being used by vocalist Tammy Lucas on the Juice Soundtrack, with both songs production credit going to Teddy Riley. This is vintage Heavy D: smooth R&B tinged instrumentals with Hev rapping smoothly to win the ladies affection, hence the overweight lover moniker.

Letter To The Future – Yet another underwhelming Pete Rock produced track. Hev uses this one to address the perils of the inner city youth. He does make an interesting assessment about blacks being more unified in slavery than in freedom (“maybe if we were still slaves we’d be closer however, picking cotton was bad but we picked it together”). Even with that thought-provoking line, I’ve never cared much for this one, and not much has changed today.

Swinging With The Hevster – Over a stripped down up-tempo Marley Marl instrumental Hev gives his best effort at battle rhymes. Hev won’t make you hit the rewind button, but he turns in a serviceable performance, making this a decent listen.

Body And Mind – Our host gets in touch with his Jamaican roots as he does a little chanting on this R&B tinged reggae instrumental.

Do Me, Do Me – Next…

Somebody For Me (Jazz Love Mix) – Eddie F gives this Heavy D/Al B. Sure collabo from the Big Tyme album a jazzy remix. Me likey.

Peaceful Journey follows the same blueprint that worked for Heavy D on his two previous albums: his own brand of R&B flavored hip-hop that allowed him to appeal to the masses and still maintain street cred (well, at least a wee bit of street cred). If you’re looking for boom-bap beats and thought-provoking lyricism, you’re listening to the wrong album and artist. Peaceful Journey (and most of Hev’s catalog for that matter) might be too soft for a lot of hip-hop heads, which I can understand, but I can appreciate a chunk of the album. Heavy wasn’t the greatest or most talented emcee, but he was definitely an underappreciated one. His death brings truth to the saying: you never know what you have until its gone. RIP Hev.

– Deedub

The casual hip-hop fan may not be familiar with today’s group. Hailing from Uniondale, New York, Leaders of the New School are best remembered for two things: making guests appearances on A Tribe Called Quest’s classic cypher joint “Scenario” and birthing the hip-hop superstar Busta Rhymes.

Consisting of Busta, Charlie Brown, and Dinco D (and sometimes producer/DJ Cut Monitor Milo), LONS also managed to release two albums on Elektra in the early nineties before disbanding in 1994 due to internal issues. As the story goes:Busta’s stock was on the rise after his energetic cameo on “Scenario”, which in turn left him itching to do the Ice Cube (in his case drop two niggas and start making all the dough), which he did successfully and the rest is history.

But before there was history, there was A Future Without a Past.

A Future Without a Past didn’t move a ton of units but it did receive favorable review amongst hip-hop critics, as it followed its fellow Native Tongue brethren’s m.o. of PG-13 lyricism and an average Joe persona, that would soon be replaced with an industry flooded with gangsta rap and hardcore posturing. But I digress.

Homeroom – The album is broken down into three segments: Homeroom, Lunchroom, and Afterschool. “Homeroom” starts off with a vocal snippet of someone giving a short speech before a crowd starts chanting “the whole world is watching”. The scene the suddenly switches back to the classroom with LONS discussing which honeys they are going to bone afterschool. Huh?

Case Of The P.T.A – This was the first single released off of A Future Without a Past. Although the instrumental is pretty nice, I never could quite get into this one. Maybe because the lyrics are so juvenile that they were beneath me even in my adolescence years.

Too Much On My Mind – Our hosts discuss the trials and tribulations of a teenager in urban America: honeys, rocking fly gear, and wondering how their going to pay the rent? Wtf? Don’t get to sad about the last trial as the content sounds a lot less heavier when our hosts present it. I didn’t care much for this one.

What’s The Pinocchio’s Theory? – Charlie Brown’s solo joint. The Vibe Chemist Backspin A.K.A. Marlon King’s (make up your mind on what you’re going to go by already…geesh) instrumental is all over the place. Brown pretty much spends two verses explaining what he and the crew went through to get to this point. I’ll pass on this one. And what a ridiculous song title.

Just When You Thought It Was Safe… – Dinco D opens this one with a concise thesis explaining the song theme: “know what you do before you get involved with it.” The Bomb Squad’s Eric Sadler provides the backdrop for this one and he doesn’t disappoint. LONS were decent on this one, but the true star of this record is Sadler’s instrumental.

Lunchroom – Useless skit

Sound of The Zeekers @#**?! – Busta gets his only production credit of the evening on this LONS/Rumpletilskinz (anybody remember them?) collabo. Busta’s instrumental is way too busy for my likening. To add insult to injury, none of the emcees on this one peaked my interest in the least bit. This may be the worst cypher joint I’ve ever heard.

Sobb Story – Hands down my favorite song on A Future Without a Past. Over another stellar Eric Sadler instrumental LONS discuss the perils of being carless. I don’t know if “Sobb” was a typo or if they just completely missed the chance at a clever play on words. Regardless, this one is still nice.

“Feminine Fatt” – Busta Rhymes’ uses this solo joint to praise the curvaceously-thick chicks. I can feel Busta’s content but not The Vibe Chemist Backspin’s instrumental.

Transformers – Our hosts use this one to address all the fake people who change up to appear as if they meet the status quo. I never really cared for this song, but after listen to it today with some decent headphones, a lot of stuff I completely missed in the past in the Stimulated Dummies’ instrumental (i.e. the sick underlying bass line) came to life today. For the first time during A Future Without a Past all three emcees sound inspired and match each others energy. My only complaint with this song is it could use a better mix.

Afterschool – Skit to mark the final segment of the album.

Show Me A Hero – Busta Rhymes explains how he manned up and overcome his arch nemesis, Busta Bully? This one didn’t work for me, including The Vibe Chemist Backspin’s instrumental.

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles – This is simply and ode to running choo-choo’s on chicks. The second two forms of transportation must have been included because they loved the movie with the same name title or because they thought it would make for a clever hook. Either way, the song sucked.

The International Zone Coasters – This Stimulated Dummies produced track is the 3rd and final single released from the album. This version is decent, but I remember diggin’ the remix for this one a lot more.

Teachers, Don’t Teach Us Nonsense!! – Decent.

My Ding-A-Ling – This is Dinco D’s solo joint. This song may have the most annoying hook of any song I’ve ever heard. From top to bottom, terrible.

Where Do We Go From Here? – The final song of the evening is produced by Charlie Brown, and it finds our hosts contemplating their future. At least for the first 3 minutes of the song. The second half is reserved for each of the three to give their shoutouts.

Every future has a past. Take Busta Rhymes for instance. There was a path that led up to him becoming a bona-fide hip-hop superstar and the king of the cameo (and eventually the cameo whore). Every step from the present going back to A Future Without a Past(and his life before A Future Without a Past, for that matter) marks the evolution of Busta Rhymes. Even if the past is something you want to forget it can never be erased. I’m not sure what message LONS was trying to convey with the album title but at face value its pretty nonsensical. Coincidentally, nonsensical is the adjective that best describes the majority of the content and the overall theme of A Future Without a Past. There are a few hot joints on A Future Without a Past, but they are the exception not the rule. The majority of A Future Without a Past finds the three-man crew sounding lost, unfocused, uninspired, immature and boring as they search for an identity. Busta Rhymes would eventually find himself after leaving LONS, but there is still an APB out on Brown and Dinco D.

-Deedub

Today’s post is a friendly reminder of the many holes that exist in my collection. We Can’t Be Stopped is actually the fourth full length release from the Geto Boys, yet it’s the only GB’s album in my collection.

By the time We Can’t Be Stopped was released the GB’s had already made significant changes to their line up. The original roster consisted of :Prince Johnny C, The Sire Jukebox (not to be confused with the Human Beatbox), Sir Rap-A-Lot (not to be confused with Sir Mix-A lot), Raheem (not to be confused with Prince Raheem), Bushwick Bill, and DJ Ready Red (not to be confused with DJ Red Alert). By the time they released their debut album Making Trouble on the independent (and eventually legendary) Rap-A-Lot Records imprint in 1988, Raheem and Sir Rap-A-Lot had already parted ways with the group. Shortly after Making Trouble was released The Sire Jukebox (a very corny alias, by the way) and Prince Johnny C left the group, leaving just Bushwick and Ready Red from the original roster. Scarface and Willie D, who both had solo deals with Rap-A-Lot at the time, were asked to join the GBs by label head James Prince, to which both parties agreed. These four would go on to release the next three Geto Boys albums together: Grip It! On That Other Level, The Geto Boys, and today’ subject We Can’t Be Stopped. The roster changes would continue: Ready Red would leave the group shortly after We Can’t Be Stopped was released, both Willie D and Bushwick left temporarily, and Big Mike was even added to the team for a short stint. Out of the eight Geto Boys studio albums released  to date not one member has been a part of all eight albums. In other words, their roster has seen more changes than the Cleveland Browns have seen at quarterback in the last 25 years.

While Grip It! On That Other Level is considered by many (including The Source who in 1998 went back and gave it a 5 mic rating and put it on their 100 greatest hip-hop albums list) We Can’t Be Stopped would earn the GB’s their first platinum plaque and still  managed to be praised critically.

The picture used for the album cover of We Can’t Be Stopped was taken at the hospital after an altercation between Bushwick and his girlfriend left him without his right eye (a topic which he would cover in-depth a year later on his solo record “Ever So Clear”). Bushwick has gone on record saying that the pic was Willie D’s idea and he and Scarface just went along with it (and by the uncomfortable look in Scarface’s eyes I can believe that).

Rebel Rap Family – This is nothing but a nonsensical overly dramatic rambling posing as a rap album intro.

We Can’t Be Stopped – This one is dedicated to Geffen Records who refused to distribute their previous release Grip It! On That Other Level, do to its controversial content. There is a 4th rapper who spits about 4 bars, whom I think may be Ready Red? If anybody knows for sure, hit me in the comments. Nice start to the show, and they get the title song out the way in the process.

Homie Don’t Play That – Willie D’s first solo joint borrows it’s title from Homie Da Clown’s signature slogan (which is the second reference to him in the last three post). Willie D might be the funniest rapper of all time, and what makes him even more amusing is he’s not deliberately trying to me funny. The funked out instrumental may be doing too much but Willie D’s angry rants will make you laugh at least once.

Another N*gger In The Morgue – Scarface gets his first solo joint of the evening which he uses to go on a killing spree. Not my favorite Face song, but the guitar licks leading into the hooks are sick.

Chuckie – Wrapping up the first round of solo joints is Bushwick Bill. Bushwick goes the horrorcore route as he takes on the persona (and name) of the evil redheaded doll from the Child’s Play movies. The instrumental attempts to sound scary/eerie but it just comes off as cheesy instead.

Mind Playing Tricks On Me – Without question, one of the 10 greatest hip-hop songs of all time. The GB’s sample Isaac Hayes’ “Hung Up On My Baby” and over the course of four verses cover everything from paranoia to full-blown mental illness. The GB’s biggest hit, and rightfully so. Dark and brilliant.

I’m Not A Gentleman – More Willie-D stand up comedy. It’s been years since I’ve listened to We Can’t Be Stopped but I still lol every time I hear this song. Willie D’s content is juvenile but very entertaining. Guilty pleasure.

Gota Let Your Nuts Hang – In Scarface’s world letting your nuts hang translates to becoming a big time drug dealer, hence the reason he shares Tony Montana’s alias. I never cared for this song (lyrics or instrumental). I’ve always been more a fan of Face’s introspective/reflective side as opposed to his “in your face cocky gangsta” persona.

F**K A War – This was recorded around the time that George Bush’s Gulf War was wrapping up. Bushwick (who is on record for giving Willie D credit for writing this song)makes it clear that under absolutely no condition would he ever enlist in any branch of the U.S. military. I didn’t care much for the instrumental, which sounds like a poor Bomb Squad imitation. Speaking of war, Bill sounds like he’s battling the up-tempo beat, never quite gaining control of it as it drowns out his vocals and he never manages to keep pace with it.

Ain’t With Being Broke – I believe this was the second single released from We Can’t Be Stopped. Our hosts discuss their disdain for poverty, which I’m sure most of the world will agree with. Bushwick’s line about his mom not being able to afford milk so “he had to suck her titty” was both funny and sad. I’ve never really cared for this song do in large part to the cheesy instrumental and the annoying singing on the hook. Not much has changed today.

Quickie – Scarface uses the same sample used on 3 Times Dope’s classic “Funky Dividends” record as the backdrop for this instrumental as he discusses a quickie mission that doesn’t quite go as planned. Well done.

Punk B**** Game – Skit

The Other Level – Bushwick uses his last solo joint of the evening to share a tale of ménage trios, or as he calls it “the other level”.  The GB’s borrow Diana Ross’ “Love Hangover”, giving it a Chopped & Screwed feel before the term Chopped & Screwed even existed. The slower pace beat works well for Bushwick as he sounds smoother than usual and keeps you hanging on to his every word. This song is best described as rap porn. Very entertaining.

Trophy – Willie D uses the final song of the evening to express his angst with the powers that be that overlook the GBs at the award shows. The song opens with a sound bite from Flavor Flav saying “who gives a fuck about a Grammy”, to which Willie angrily response that he does. Willie continues his mad rapper tantrum, and even gives the middle finger to Oscar, Emmy, and Tony (even though these awards are given out for a completely different art form).  Willie D’s animation will make you ignore the below average instrumental playing underneath his verses.

We Can’t Be Stopped is an interesting enigma: With the exception of a few bangin’ instrumentals, most of the album’s production is sonically inferior. Willie D, Bushwick Bill and yes, even Scarface, are not the greatest lyricists, either (I’m sure I’ll catch some flack for saying that about Scarface but I’m open to debate it). Even with these cons, Willie D, Bushwick Bill, and Scarface still manage to keep We Can’t Be Stopped very entertaining. Be it comic relief, over the top absurdity, and occasionally some thought-provoking shit, for the most part this album will hold your attention and keep you entertained.  When discussing the greatest southern hip-hop albums of all time We Can’t Be Stopped can definitely be included in the discussion.

-Deedub

Digital Underground’s 1990 debut Sex Packets was a huge success. It sold over a million units and helped the playful bay area group develop a strong following. The album would eventually make its way onto The Source Magazine’s top 100 Hip-hop albums of all time list. Check my archives for the full review on that.

1991 would be an even busier year for DU. This Is an E.P. Release is a 6 song ep that serves as Digital Underground’s bridge between Sex Packets and their second full length release Sons of the P, which would be released later in 91′ (more on that at later date). Two of the songs on This Is an E.P. Release were also included on the soundtrack (and apparently in the movie) for the Dan Aykroyd movie Nothing But Trouble (a movie I’ve never seen and don’t plan on seeing any time soon). This Is would go on to earn DU their second consecutive plaque, as it would eventually become certified gold.

Side note: The cover artwork for This Is an E.P. Release is pretty dope and the dialogue and (explanation to what E.P. stands for) are pretty amusing as well. These are the type treats you miss out on when you by your music on iTunes.

Same Song – The only single released from the EP was also included on the soundtrack for the Dan Aykroyd directed film Nothing But Trouble. This song is also worthy of note as it marks the first official appearance by the future hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur, far before he morphed into his thug-life persona. The Piano Man constructs a funky instrumental built around a George Clinton Parliament vocal sample. I don’t know if this was a bigger hit than the “Humpty Dance” but if not, it’s right up there with it. This song still bangs today.

Tie The Knot –  This was the second song by DU included on the Nothing But Trouble soundtrack. Over a simple drumbeat the Piano Man plays a melancholy version of the “Bridal Chorus”, as Shock G spits a verse that I’m sure many a groom thought as they made that final march down the altar to forsake the bachelor life for marriage (ugh). Short and sweet. One of my favorite DU songs.

The Way We Swing (Remix) – Same instrumental as the original (on Sex Packets ) but different lyrics. While Shock-G won’t make anybody’s top 10 emcees list, the instrumental is a funked out banger.

Nuttin’ Nis Funky –  Shock-G, Schmoovy-Schmoov (which has to be one of the worst aliases ever ) and Humpty Hump (yes, I know he is Shock-G in disguise) spend nearly 10 minutes trying to convince the listener that you haven’t heard anything this funky. I beg to differ, but it’s still decent.

Packet Man (Worth A Packet Remix) – This is without question my favorite DU song of all time. It uses the same lyrics as the original, but CJ Macintosh’s  jazzy instrumental gives the song a completely different feel than the original. The trumpets during the hook and the saxophone at the end make the song sound epic and bigger than the original. Well done, gentlemen.

Arguin’ On The Funk – This one uses the same Raw Fusion instrumental used on “Rhymin’ On The Funk” (also onSex Packets ), but instead of rhyming, Shock and Humpty discuss funk music, funk’s pioneers, and who is truly worthy of props.  Pretty clever way to pay homage to the forefathers of funk. Well executed.

This Is an E.P. Release is an enjoyable listen from beginning to end without interruption from filler material. Over the course of 6 songs DU brings the funk with a touch of jazz, that will satisfy the taste buds of any true head. To sum it up in three words: short, sweet, and flawless. This Is an E.P. Release is the perfect example of why EPs (as in Extended Play, not the 6th option on the album cover) can make the world and hip-hop a better place. Maybe all hip-hop albums should be regulated to an EP format.

-Deedub

We last left the Poor Righteous Teachers in 1990, releasing their debut album Holy Intellect. While Holy Intellect did not move a ton of units, on the strength of “Rock Dis Funky Joint” the PRT’s were able to establish a solid following.

PRT returned in 91′ with their sophomore effort Pure Poverty, which also happened to be released on the same day as fellow Newark crew member/producer Tony D.  Pure Poverty uses the same formula used on Holy Intellect: Wise Intelligent on rhymes, Tony D behind the boards, Father Shaheed on the ones and twos, and Culture Freedom doing whatever it is that Culture Freedom does. Although Pure Poverty(an album title that I absolutely love, by the way) is held in pretty high regards amongst hip-hop circles it didn’t move as many units as Holy Intellect, making it a commercial failure, which if the PRT were depending solely on album sales for income, indeed their poverty became pure.

Fortunately, we don’t equate quality music with record sales here at TimeIsIllmatic, kids.

Shakiyla (JRH) – PRT kick off Pure Poverty with the lead single from the album, which also happens to be a remix of a song from Holy Intellect. Right from the jump Wise Intelligent warns the listener that “this is not a love ballad”, as you’ll soon realize when Tony D’s dark piano riff and eerie sound effects kick in over his rough drums. This may not be a ballad but like the original it is still all about uplifting the black woman. Wise does a good job on this one but Tony D’s monster instrumental is the true champ on this one.

Easy Star – This one opens with a little comic relief provided by a random statement from Wise Intelligent as he commands Culture Freedom to “come back with me apple pie” right before the beat drops. After the beat drops this one turns into a reggae tinged banger that Wise adapts to beautifully and rides like Willie Shoemaker on a saddled horse in his prime. Long Man (which sounds like a name for a porn superhero) contributes a little reggae chant during the hook which was a nice added touch. Well done.

Self-Styled Wisdom – Lazily, Tony D recycles the War “Slippin’ Into Darkness” sample he used for the backdrop of “Rock Dis Funky Joint”. Even though he makes a few adjustments to the original it is still the same concept. Wise sounds solid as usual but I’m not willing to overlook Tony D’s iniquity.

Hot Damn I’m Good – Wise turns in yet another solid effort but Tony D’s instrumental is a hot mess. The moaning woman on the hook, which I assume was supposed to sound sexy winds up just being annoying.

Strictly Mash’ion – Now this is more like it: Tony D provides a solid instrumental that Wise uses to boast of himself and manages to sneak in a little 5 Percent ideology while you’re not looking.

The Nation’s Anthem – This song is to the Five Percent nation what “The Star Spangled Banner” is to North America. The PRT’s take it and make it their own, which also includes an added verse from Wise. Brand Nubian would also record this song a few years later on In God We Trust. I think I prefer their version over the PRT tread.

Each One Teach One – This starts with an interesting piano sample, but it quickly fades away and is replaced with heavy drums covered with Jungle sounds. Wise Intelligent spends the length of this one speaking on religious lies and several other ways that the black man has been deceived by the white man. You know, that usual PRT shit. Decent.

Rappin’ Black – Tony D’s instrumental is all over the place and I didn’t care much  for Wise’s nursery rhyme rhyming cadence, either.

Just Servin’ Justice – Wise surprisingly opens this one by giving a shoutout to MC Hammer. Even if it was only to rhyme “you can’t touch this” with the song title, it was not a popular move at the time (Ice-T did it earlier the same year on O.G.). Wise sounds razor-sharp on this track, and I love Tony D’s bass line, but the rest of the song stinks. Reggae artist Lego Man (no, I didn’t make that up) babbles on forever on the hook, going on and on about what only he and God knows and the rest of Tony D’s instrumental was disappointing.

Freedom Or Death – Tony D’s instrumental doesn’t sound serious or urgent enough to match the song’s title or content. I still find it hi-larious that a group that calls white people devils would have a white man produce their entire freakin’ album (although PRT Deejay Father Shaheed gets a co-production credit on this one). Contradiction, much.

Methods Of Droppin’ Mental – Decent.

Pure Poverty – What is it with Tony D’s obsession to incorporate moaning women into instrumentals?  The title song is the second time during the album that he resorts to that idea. I didn’t care much for this one.

I’m Comin’ Again – Wise finishes off Pure Poverty with one quick accapella verse filled with Five Percent jargon and ideology.

In my review of Holy Intellect I mentioned that Wise Intelligent’s biggest downfall as an emcee was that lyrically he never moves away from his 5 Percent ideology. That issue persists on Pure Poverty, and without the assistance of Dr. Dre the problem becomes chronic (*rimshot*). The monotony of Wise Intelligent’s subject matter is only magnified by Tony D’s lackluster production, which with the exception of a few songs will have you wishing the good doctor would have provided the cure for Pure Poverty.  Wouldn’t it have been sick (and made Pure Poverty more tolerable) to hear Wise spittin’ over Dre’s beats? But he doesn’t. Leaving Pure Poverty sounding a bit impoverished.

-Deedub

hop producer Tony D also rapped on the side. Tony D eventually parlayed his night-time passion into deal and released his solo debut Droppin’ Funky Verses on the now defunct label, 4th & Broadway.

I wasn’t aware this album existed until I ran across it in the used bin at a Pawn America nearly 20 years after it’s released. I also didn’t know that Tony D was caucasian until seeing the album cover. Today will be the first time I listen to Droppin’ Funky Verses in its entirety.

Sadly, Tony D died from injuries suffered during a 2009 car accident. He was only 42. RIP.

Check The Elevation – Tony opens Droppin’ Funky Verses spitting battle lines aimed at any would be competitor within earshot.  Tony’s flow is pretty nimble as his vocal reminds me of MC Serch and the flow is reminiscent of Kool Keith. Tony’s instrumental wasn’t stellar but serviceable. His mispronunciation of  “Ralph Kramden” and “competition”, was pretty comical. All in all, nice start to the evenings proceedings.

Buggin’ On The Line –  This song opens with epic horns that lead you to believe this is going to be a high energy monster instrumental, but once the beat drops you’re left a little disappointed as Tony instead provides a laid back funky groove that is enjoyable, just not what was expected.  Tony takes on the media who negatively criticize hip-hop, and he makes a few good points along the way. Not great, but decent.

Tony Don’t Play That – Our host borrows the song title from the slogan of a Damon Wayans In Living Color character Homie the Clown, substituting “Homie” with “Tony”. Cute. All cuteness aside, I didn’t care for this one. Tony’s instrumental is garbage and his flow sounds extremely sloppy.

E.F.F.E.C.T. – Tony reduces his vocal to a few levels above a whisper in order to match his smoothed out instrumental. The Rakim vocal sample was a nice touch on the hook.

Don’t Fall For The Gas Line – As the title indirectly suggest, this is the first (of many more to come) dis record aimed at 3rd Bass (playing off the title to one of their biggest hits “The Gas Face”). Tony apparently had an issue with 3rd Bass because he felt they were dissing their own people. It’s always comical to hear one white rapper refer to another white rapper as a “bleach boy”. First 3rd Bass disses The Beasties, then Vanilla Ice, and now Tony D goes after 3rd Bass. What’s up with all this white on white violence? Tony lands a few jabs but nothing hard enough to knock Serch or Pete off their feet.

Birdie Disease – This is Tony’s ode to the female crack head. None of Tony’s lines will make you lol but they’ll at least make you smirk. This was decent.

Droppin’ Funky Verses – I didn’t care much for this one. Tony’s instrumental is all over the place and it sounds a bit too airy, if that makes any sense. To make matters worst, Tony’s not saying anything worthwhile, either.

Listen To Me Brother – Tony uses this one to address the lack of support for real hip-hop as he vows to never sellout to sell records. I’m pretty sure the second verse is delivered by an uncredited guest. Tony sounds like a carbon copy of his arch-nemesis, MC Serch on this one. Tony’s instrumental is pretty interesting. I would love to hear how it sounds with a cleaner mix. Our host does his best Kid Capri impersonation on the hook as he shouts random statements as if this was a mixtape.

Harvey Wallbanger – Our host turns into his sexed crazed alter-ego Harvey Wallbanger (or Harvee Wallbangar, which is how it’s spelled on the album cover) as he spends the course of  this one bragging on his sexual prowess. Tony, or Harvey (or Harvee) turns in some pretty entertaining verses (he actually uses the forbidden “C” word) over this funky instrumental. I love the soul vocal sample added in during the hook.  Clearly there was a beef that developed sometime in between the recording of this song and its final mix as Tony (attempts to) censors YZ’s name in a shout out at the end of the song. This is easily the best record of the evening so far.

Keep On Doin’ What You’re Doin’ – Over a Barry White sample infused instrumental Tony (and his other alter-ego Tone) big-ups the east coast while taking several shots at the west coast (at one point he even labels the west coast the home of the sellout, even though they tried to censor it out) and an indirect one at the south. Unfortunately, this was the climate of hip-hop at the time, which would come to a violent head in the next five years. But I digress. Back to the song. It was solid.

I Know Who I Am – Tony continues his onslaught of 3rd Bass, but again only manages to land mild body blows.  Did he really just say he’s “the caucasian complexion of a tan man”? Huh? I’m diggin’ Tony instrumental work. This was pretty dope.

Stop Racism – Good intention. Poorly executed.

Shoe Polish – This is a bonus track on the cassette and cd version of Droppin’ Funky Verses. What better way to wrap up the show than with our host taking one final shot at his favorite target? But 3rd Bass isn’t the only white group to receive a lashing from Tony, the Beasties get a mild shot as well. It was pretty hilarious to hear Tony borrow a term often used by his Five Percent Nation brethren Poor Righteous Teachers, referring to Serch and Pete as devils, especially since the term would also apply to Tony D according to the Five Percent doctrine. Which also calls in to question the authenticity of the PRT’s faith in their doctrine since Tony D produced their first two albums. Regardless, the song sucked. And we’re done.

My expectations for Droppin’ Funky Verses weren’t set high. Since I’ve heard Tony D rhyme before, I wasn’t expecting exceptional lyricism from the man, and in return I did not receive that. Tony is not a terrible rapper, in fact, on a few songs he’s actually a smidge above decent, so lyrical he actually surpassed my expectations. On the flip side, I did have high expectations set for his production and that is where Droppin’ Funky Versesdisappoints. After all, this is the same man who created the backdrop for “Rock Dis Funky Joint”. The instrumental for “Harvey Wallbanger” is fire but after that the majority of the rest of the album sounds pretty vanilla (no pun intended).

-Deedub