REVIEW: EIGHTBALL AND MJG: "COMIN' OUT HARD": This was the CD that put these guys on the map in the South. Man what a masterpiece. This is definately in my top 5 Southern rap CD's of all time. Every song is knockin. EVERY ONE. If you don't have this CD, you are wither dead, insane, or just a country ass who doesn't have a record store within 500 miles from ya. This is a must have. EVERYONE should have this CD, it is THE BOMB. The song that really stands out is "Pimps". Absolutely awesome. I love that sample. Mayne people still think that these cats are from Houston. NO NO NO. They are from Memphis. And they clearly say that all over their CD's. It was back when this CD came out that we came to the conclusion that MJG was the better lyricist. Now of course that is the opposite, although MJG is still tight. The main it from this album is "Mr. Big". DEFINATELY. "Pimps" is a better song, though. This album will get one of the highest marks on this page.
RATINGS:
BEATS: **** 1/2
CONTENT: ***
ORIGINALITY: ** 1/2
OVERALL: **** 1/2
REVIEW : EIGHTBALL AND MJG: "ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN":This is the lesser of the two initial Suave House powerhouse records. They are focusing more on being ballaz and pimps rather than blasting a cap in a haterz ass. The beats sound less sinister, and are more pimp-style. There is nothing wrong with that at all. The best song on the album is definately, "Lay It Down". They kinda sound like their old selves on this song. Other than that, the album really isn't as appealing to me as the first one. It is still good though. I suggest that you buy this one, because it is a classic too, just not as good as the first one. All of the rest of the songs are good, which I am pretty sure you know already because this album is hella old.
RATINGS:
BEATS: ***
CONTENT: **
ORIGINALITY: ** 1/2
OVERALL: ***
REVIEW : EIGHTBALL AND MJG: "ON TOP OF THE WORLD": The latest of the duo's album releases. This is WAY WAY different from the first two, and you can tell they are making beats on more expensive equipment, because the beats sound more clean and refined. This is not always a good thing though. The album is good, but it sounds too overdone. It's almost like they tried to hard to sound good. They don't need to they already are! Maybe I just can't see some artists change with the times, but this album is not as good as the first. CERTAINLY NOT. The only really tight song on this album is "Space Age Pimpin'".... awesome. the other tracks are OK, I was just expecting more. I think that the South Circle album was better than this... in a different way. Still, if you son't have it, go get it, it is a solid album, just not what I was looking for at the time.
RATING:
BEATS: ** 1/2
CONTENT: ** 1/2
ORIGINALITY: ** 1/2 ( I like the album cover. at least I can give them that)
OVERALL: ** 1/2
REVIEW:KING GOLDI: GOLDI'S NOVEL (ALL MY LIFE): This is a CD that I picked up a while back, say, 4 months ago. This guy is from Memphis and has been featured on several southern artists albums. He is on the same label as O.C.F., which is Diamond Ring Records. This album really isn't anything special. I was expecting more, but it didn't move me. With lackluster beats and lyrics, this is definately not one of the heavyweights of the South, The song that really stood out to me though was "Pimp Guard". On this track, he kinda sounds like Skinny Pimp. Another nice sounding track is "Tha Family". "Mashin' features some really solid bass, and what sounds like race cars zooming by in the background! "Fast Monie", the next track features a weak beat, and begins to show the albums decline. From that track on, the album deteriorates to nothing. "Pimp Partners", might qualify as a winner, but features weak lyrics, so therefore it kills the song. RATING: 5 out of 10
REVIEW: LIL CED: PLAYIN' BY THE RULES: This was a dissappointment. The only tracks that even come close to being tight are "G-Life" and "Freestyles", which feature some tight as freestyles by Skinny Pimp and Lil Gin. Otherwise, there is nothing special about this album. RATING: 5 out of 10
REVIEW: DJ LIL LES: BREAKIN' BANK MEGA MIX: This is a GOOD mix CD for the South. Presented by Dirty Harry out of Nashville, TN, who gave us albums from Guillotine, the Southern Gangstas Compilation, and Mr. Quikk, this CD features some tight ass mixes, including club hits from Master P, 2Pac, Three 6 Mafia and many more. At first I stayed away from mix CD's, but after hearing this one, it made me want to get all of 'em! My only gripe is that there are some unecessary interludes that causes the album from suffering from continuity, but that is only minor. GO GET IT! RATING: 7.7 out of 10
REVIEW: MENTAL WARD CLICK: RETRIBUTION: I was dissapointed with this release. From what I understand, these guys and Three 6 Mafia don't like each other. Or maybe it is they don't like Three 6 Mafia. I don't know the story behind their beef, but I do know they dont like each other. Maybe they let their beef affect their album, because this is not what I would call something I'd pop in the CD player every day and listen to. The album cover gives you the idea that this is gonna be a hard hitting album with tight ass beats and tough lyrics. Well the latter is true, but I really cannot stand the beats. They just dont set the mood right for the album. I realize this isn't a new release, but i just got my hands on it. I am glad that I bought it, but yet at the same time, I know I won't be listening to it that much. After i analyze the album some more i will add more to this review, but that is about all I can say about it now. RATING 5 out of 10
REVIEW: CLOUD 9 RECORDS presents DOWN SOUTH BALLIN 2: This is bumpin'. I like that song by Cadillac Willy. Whenever I DJ at a club here in Oklahoma City, I often use this song to replace the song the regular DJ plays which sounds just like it. That song is 10 K.A.N.S. "U Need Dick In Your Life". Since I dont use Vinyl anymore, I use CD's and that single is not available on CD. I just use that Cadillac Willy song, "Project Hoes Suck Dick". Other good songs are "So Buck" by Al Kapone and Playa Fly's "Wanna Be". It seems if Playa Fly on this song is rapping like he used to on the old Triple 6 tapes. Of course you may have heard Indo G's "Think Like A G" already from Indo G and Lil' Blunt's album Up IN Smoke. Man it pisses me off when they do this. I feel like I am getting cheated by buying songs I already have. Overall the rest of the CD features some good sings by artists I have not ever heard of, like DJ Trick, King JC, Mr. Del and Killaz Inc.. RATING: 7.8 out of 10
REVIEW: TOMMY WRIGHT III: FEEL ME BEFORE THEY KILL ME: This album is NICE. ENOUGH SAID. Tommy Wright III really came off hard with this one. Man. What can I say? He tongue-twists all through the album. On track 11, "Hard Headed", he really shows what the hell he can do with his mouth. Man. That is my favorite song. I also like "No Fear '98", man this really is nice. I like virtually every track except for "Gimme Room", "Why U Wanna Hate". Other than that, the CD is excellent. I am dissappointed that it just wasnt as good as On Tha Run, his first CD release, but still, it is very solid. BUY IT! RATING: 8 out of 10
REVIEW: T-Tee and PLAYA FLY: IT GETS GREATER LATER: I kinda like this CD. There really are no excellent tracks on this album. but I like the vibe, it is something I can just mob to. I am sick of all of you who think I don't like Playa Fly. I do, I just cannot stand his latest CD's. The only song that shows any promise would be the first track, "Hard Time In The City". The other tracks are good too, it sounds kinda like a cross between Gangsta Pat and S.S.P>. Overall it has been heard before. nothing special. RATING 6.5 out of 10
REVIEW: DJ NITE: THE NITEMARE VOL:1:This CD is horrible. I don't know what it is, but I just don't like it. First f all, there is no listing of the tracks anywhere on the CD or in the CD case. Whats with that? Also, it just doesnt sound right...not like a good mix CD. This guy was the DJ for 3rd Bass for their first two albums. The mixes are kinda neat and I can see where he was coming from, but I just can't get with it. RATING: 5 out of 10
REVIEW: DJ NITE & PLAYA G: THE NITEMARE VOL:2: The same applies to this one as the first volume. Except this one is even more strange. What is with DJ NITE? I mean
REVIEW: PRETTY TONY & 38 SLUG: SUMMER DRAMA: I have been trying to get my hands on this CD for a long time. And finally I got it. I first heard Pretty Tony back in 1992 or 1993 on WHRK or K97 for all of y'all that know the Memphis area radio stations. He had a song called "Git Buck". I swear that was the tightest song from Memphis I think I had ever heard. If any of you know how I can get my hands on that tape let me know. Anyway, he was this CD with his boy 38 Slug, trying to lay it down in 1996. Thats when this CD came out. It is a good album, with the last song, called "Pimp Them Sluts", being my personal favorite. The only place I know to get this CD outside, Sam Goody stores in Memphis, is CDCONNECTION: www.cdconnection.com. GO GET IT. RATING: 7 out of 10.
REVIEW: HOLOCAUST: NO ESCAPE: This is a release that I have been hunting for quite some time... say 5 or 6 months. And I must say, this CD is not bad. I think the cover art is kinda neat, since I am a TOHO monster fanatic (GODZILLA, RODAN, etc.). When we get into the album, I find this to be a nice addition to my library of Memphis music. I like the intro called, "The Beginning". The album kinda sounds like a cross between Young Lo and Taylor Boyz. One of the guys sounds like Tela. I like bad newz, which contains an interopolation of "Hotel California" by the Eagles! Yes, they used the Eagles for a sample! It is sampling... but it is BRILLIANT! "Down South" introduces is to the sounds of First Degree on of my favorite groups from the Memphiz Undaground Hustlaz album. A nice beat, very nice rhymes. I think these guys have some of the best lyrics of any Memphis artist... and that is very good to hear. "Dark Wataz", featuring Grill Hill, is one of the strangest sounding songs on the album. Not Bad. I like "No Escape" as well. "Energy" is tight as hell! Man this is bumpin! It kind of reminds me of a cross between Kingpin Skinny Pimp and MVP and Chozen. Still they sound original in every aspect! Good job. "Grab Ya Gunz", has a tight beat, but there really isn't anything exciting about the lyrics. Just more Gangsta Shit. I definately like the beat. Overall the album is nice, just could have been a bit better on a few songs in the lyrics category, but really no bad songs on the album. A nice effort. I'll be bumpin' this one a whole lot! RATING: 8 out of 10
REVIEW: DJ SPADE featuring DJ KURIOUS: THAT DIRTY SOUTH: CUTT 11: This is a good mix CD that I picked up in Memphis last week. I am not sure where DJ Spade is from. I think he is from Nashville, but I am open to anyone who really knows. I liked this CD because of the variety of songs. I was pissed at the CD, because when you mix you mix the songs for only a couple of minutes. He let every song play all the way through. I hated this. Instead of moving on, he lingers on the songs for too long. Not a bad thing, but I like to sued these in the club sometimes to cheat when I go and get a drink! Anyway, the CD has
all of the hits of today, including 5th Ward Boyz "P.W.A.", as well as Master P, Three 6 Mafia, and Silkk the Shocker. I think it is worth picking up, if you like a compilation of Southern Rap, then is for you! RATING: 7 out of 10
REVIEW: NARDO: KRUNK: This is a nice CD. I picked it up from CD Universe for $11 after seeing it in Memphis for $18. I knew I wasn't paying that kind of money for a CD. Anyway the CD is definately worth the buy. It is not the best product out of Memphis, but it does hold its own. I am not sure who Nardo is affiliated with. The CD starts nice with "Move", which contains a wicked piano riff, and some monsterous bass. "Get It Krunk" has a tight beat as well. Basically every track is tight, especially "High Noon". MAN! This is tight. I do not like "Don't Hate Me". "I Get Nasty" is tight as hell, and uses the old "Trigga Man" beat, as well as some next shit layered over it. Interesting! I like "Hand On Yo Strap" because of the little guitar/ukelele harmony in the background. Like I said the rest of it is tight too. This is definately a must buy. RATING: 8 out of 10
REVIEW: BITE THE BULLET: DANGEROUS UNDERGROUND MIXES: This is compilation of Memphis Underground, Southern Underground, and West Coast rap. This is another mix CD that I happened to see floating by, so I decided to pick it up.
REVIEW: TELA: NOW OR NEVER: This is Tela's second album, after the wonderful, "Piece of Mind". There are problems with this album for two reasons. He just doenst sound right rapping to J Prince beats. Secondly, he should have stayed with SUAVE HOUSE. There are NO hits on this album. I mean, none like "Sho Nuff" or "U Can't Tell". I wish I knew what happend to him on this album, but it seems that he wanted to come with a more preachy attitude on this one. There are some good tracks though. One particularly nice one is "Bring Em Out", which is typical Tela. Also, "Roll With It" is very solid. I also like track 6, which is called, "BIGPIMPSISI", a very interesting title, and features Too Short, another solid track. The next big hit would heva to be "Still A Man", excellent rhyming and a tight beat make this one very nice. I REALLY REALLY like "Caesar Knight". This is the type of stuff that I like from Tela, because it is something I have never heard before. Very unique. The next good track is "Now Or Never" and of course Do or Die makes this song shine. I don't think Tela should be rapping like this though. Leave that to the real tongue twisters. Overall the rest of the album did not appeal to me. But it is Tela, and it is worth listening to, and you can decide for yourself. RATING: 6 out of 10
REVIEW: THE KAZE: KAMIKAZE (TIMEZ UP): This is a good and a bad album. It is good because I like The Kaze. It is bad because most of the beats suck ass. Track number 4, and "All About My Hustle" are solid tracks, as well as "Weed Is Got Me Fucked UP" or track number #8. The other songs are horrible. I was highly dissappointed with this. And what is with the masks on the album cover? That is a good way to scare people away from buying yo album bro. This is the second worst Prophet release, next to Gangsta Blac. Yes I still dont like that album, so all of you who think it is good, then good for you, but I know music, and that album ain't cuttin' it. But anyway, this album by THE KAZE has some of the weakest tracks I have heard from Prophet. I was highly dissappointed. RATING 6 out of 10
REVIEW: PSYCHO AND THE CHARGEPARTNAZ: I love this shit. Even though there is one track that wa already on Memphis Undaground Hustlaz. That one was the "Busta Free". Other than that Psycho tears up the mic, just like he did on Gangsta Pat's album. The best songs are "Smoke On", "Busta Free", and "Red Rum". Also, "What They Hittin 4" is tight too. Even though the rest of the album really didnt grab my attention, this was a very solid album. RATING: 7 out of 10
REVIEW: DESTINEAL: BORN TO HUSTLE: This guy is from Memphis, and it sounds unlike any Memphis rap I have ever heard. The guy sounds like 2Pac to the tee. There is virtually no difference in the two. They sound alike. His beats are bangin', especially the song with Tela Other than the fact that he sounds too much like 2Pac, I think he is tight. And this is a tight album. Featured artists include the Dayton Family and of course Tela. RATING: 7 out of 10
