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Name: Xzibit
Album: "40 Dayz & 40 Nightz"
Released: August 25th, 1998
Category: West Coast, Gangsta
Rating: 4/5
Reviewed By: BIGjakeDOGGYdogg
1. Intro (The Last Night)
Starts off with
the beat to his classic song "Paparazzi" with news reporters
reporting riots.
2. Chamber Music
I can't help but
find similarities here between the sound Ice Cube brought
with "The Predator" and this song. Probably it's because
both were produced by Sir Jinx, but also because both
share a similar rhyming style. Xzibit is of course a
far superior lyricist, but flow for aggressive flow
one can't help but notice their similar aggressive flow.
This song pretty original and defiantly one of the highlights
of the album. X isn't really saying anything here but
this is defiantly one of the albums highlights....4/5.
3. 3 Card Molly (featuring
Ras Kass and Saafir)
When you thought
the West coast was just a bunch of gangsters who thought
they were rappers, Ras Kass, X, and Saafir come with
the lyrical heat that makes Gza from the Wu Tang clan
wanna sharpen his sword. Everything here is executed
very nicely, the beat, the lyrics, the chorus, everything.
It's hard to find a flaw here, a very listenable song
and a breath of fresh air at a time in hip hop where
shinny suits and golden teeth ruled the air waves.....4.5/5.
4. What U See Is What
U Get
This is the track
that REALLY put Xzibit over. "Paparazzi" might've been
his first hit but it went largely ignored. "B-Please"
might've helped him commercially, but this is the song
that really make people stop and listen to Mr. X to
the Z. As a matter of fact this song to this day has
held the record of most times at number one on Rap City's
top ten countdown. The song is excellent with an old
school flare to it, with INCREDIBLE lyricism, perfect
chorus, and a really dope beat that is original and
catchy at the same time. If there was one song that
best described xzibit's style it'd be this one....5/5.
5. Handle Your Business
(featuring Defari)
An ok song featuring
Defari, Xzibit rips the mic up and further confirms
his talent. Defari also delivers great as well. The
only problem with this song is the corny beat....perhaps
enjoyed a lot by underground fans, but I just can't
get into it.....3.5/5.
6. Nobody Sound Like
Me
Starts off with
a voice asking something about, "What if you saw a black
man crossing the street by you." Blah blah blah, not
really needed. But the song though is awesome.
With a funky beat Xzibit rips the mic up with the greatest
of east like it was made of construction paper, and
basically says that no one sounds like him. The great
thing about this song is that the lyrics are incredible
and the beat actually matches it's quality, usually
in hip hop it's lopsided, great lyrics and a generic
beats or visa versa, but this song hits you with 2 right
hands....4/5.
7. Pussy Pop (featuring
Jayo Felony and Method Man)
A song produced
by Soopafly and with Xzibit and Jayo Felony spitting
heat with Method Man on the chorus. Basically this is
your party song of the album, talking about hoes and
sex. Which is not a bad thing at all, because it is
well crafted? Soopafly hooks up a catchy beat, Xzibit
(like he does through out the album) gives you a couple
of a dope verses and Jay Felony to a lesser degree gives
you another dope verse to enjoy, and if that wasn't
enough you got Method Man hooking up a catchy hook like
his name was Nate Dogg. Great song ....4/5.
8. Chronic Keeping 101
A funny little
skit where Xzibit and some people are talking and getting
ready to blaze up a little sumthin sumthin'.
9. Shroomz
This song samples
the classic song from the Ohio Players "Funky Worm."
This song is pretty hilarious as Xzibt tells about his
experience with mushroomz. If you've ever done shroomz
you'll relate and have fun with this song and if you
haven't you'll still have fun listening to Xzibit's
story, funny shit....4/5.
10. Focus
Probably the second
best song on the album behind, "What U See Is What You
Get." The two things that stand out here (besides Xzibit's
lyricism) is the dope Rough Steel and Clap beat and
the TIGHT, TIGHT chorus. "Xzibit maintains focus till
the casket drop, that's the only way to survive and
stay on top, fast Friday, straight to meditate, build
hunger, and focus, all the days and times that approach
us." It wouldn't surprise me to see this pop up on an
Xzibit's greatest hits compilation.....4.5/5.
11. Jason (48 months)
Just Xzibit's brother
calling from prison.
12. Deeper
Again this is another
dope performance by Xzibit, but the beat really takes
away from the enjoyability of the song. Usually I'm
a big fan of violins in song, but the way Bud'da used
only the high pitched part of the violin is like finger
nails on a chalkboard. Other than that flaw, every thing
in this song is great but it's hard to ignore that major
flaw no matter how hard you try...3.75/5.
13. Los Angeles Times
From looking at
the credits of this song you'll notice something exciting....Mel-Man
(Dr. Dre's right hand man in the studio) is the producer.
Well, it's not really the great beat you'd expect, but
a rather average one....but it's ALLL GOOOD because
you got Xzibit ripping it up . "Welcome to L.A. where
you can see the whole city burning cause the cops got
uzis and the dealers keep serving and your kids ain't
learning shit, except this, sex power and wealth, fuck
everything else." Tell me that ain't tight.....4/5.
14. Inside Job
I've kinda slept
on this track for 3 years by skipping it 75% of the
time when I listen to this album. But after sitting
here and really listening too it, this track is pretty
tight. Basically a track where Xzibit is showing his
story telling abilities. Very dope and is fast paced
like an action movie....4/5.
15. Let It Rain
The Likwit cut
of the album featuring King Tee, J-Ro, and Tash. This
song overall is "aight," nothing really stand out but
nothing really whack, about average...3/5.
16. Recycled Assasins
Another track that
is ok, nothing really great but nothing really whack....3/5.
17. The Outro
Xzibit's dad talking
about himself and Xzibit over "Chamber Music's" beat.
This was a very important album to Xzibit, this was
either the album where he was going to have one great
underground album then fall into obscurity with a disappointing
second effort or this was going to be the turning point
in his career where he'd be open to MANY great things.
Fortunately the second statement was the one that happened,
Xzibit earned so much respect for his talents that he
began to pop up on many other albums from popular artists
in the industry, most notable was Dr. Dre who featured
him on his 7 time platinum release "2001." Xzibit also
proved that the West coast had lyrical credibility as
Xzibit found himself garnered as one of the best MC's
out . So for all this to happen this record must be
great or even classic.....great yes, but classic no.
The majority of this album is very consistent lyrically
impressive, but some of the production tries too hard
to be underground and at the tail end of the record
the overall quality of the tracks start to become mediocre.
But other than that Xzibit's lyrical performance through
out this record leaves you in awe and most of
the record hits you with an array of different
sounds and styles.....4/5. - BIGjakeDOGGYdogg
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