The new album, "Bow Down by the Westside Connection," is a landmark in the "gangsta" rap movement. The Westside Connection is Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10. These three rap kingpins have elevated the status of "gangsta" rap to its ultimate level. This monstrous trio has made it more difficult for the hardest of hard-core rappers to believe themselves. Taking on the identities of society's worst nightmares, Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10 have created audible motion pictures full of drama, suspense and mayhem.

Mack 10 and Ice Cube were first brought together through a mutual friendship with the famed rap producer DJ Pooh. Cube auditioned "One-O," as Mack 10 is often called, and quickly took his new protégé over to Priority Records. WC's part in this tag team of hit makers is quite different from Mack 10's. While Mack 10 was a virtual newcomer to the rap scene, WC was actually an old label-mate of Cube's, as well as a good friend. While Cube was bangin' out hits for N.W.A, WC was cementing the formation of Low Profile with DJ Aladdin. Low Profile split and he quickly formed WC and The Madd Circle with Crazy Toones, Coolio and Big Gee. Disillusioned with the recording industry, WC took a break from the music business and assisted Cube in coaching Coolio to be a solo artist. On The Madd Circle's CD "Curb Servin," Westside Connection joined forces with the song, "West Up."

Mack 10, WC and Ice Cube have all added something unique to the formation of the Westside Connection. They have all sacrificed to bring something fresh and exciting to the table, something to spark another evolution in the ever-changing face of rap music. This album is full of hip hop classics, direct disses and ghetto bravado at its finest.

The first single, titled "Bow Down," is a directive to anyone that is wasting their energies on dissin' so-called "gangsta" rap. This song topped the charts a few days after it was released. The trio incorporated a dramatic introduction into the album using a properly scripted British fellow who explains the objective of the group as worldwide domination by the Westside fathers. The song "Gangsters Make The World Go Round," is a take-off on the Stylistics' most memorable song, "People Make The World Go Round," and delivers a blow-by-blow of a lifestyle that has obviously made an impression on our young protagonists.

Overall, this album is very good. The beats are phat and fresh, and the experience of three talented artists has finalized this CD's success.

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook