| Reviews Reviews are based on a point system. 1=speed bump material, 10=masterpiece. |
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| Too Short- Chase The Cat: When it comes to being a pimp and a playa, Too Short wrote the book (or at least made the record), and considering his sustained success, he doesn't seem prepared to go away anytime soon. Whether you love him (hardcore hip-hop heads) or hate him (the majority of the female population), Too Short is apparently here to stay. CHASE THE CAT pretty much picks up where hip-hop's favorite pimp left off on his previous efforts, as it's full of no-holds-barred evocations of the ultra-misogynistic pimp lifestyle backed up by the kind of thick, funky beats that must surely appeal even to those who abhor the social irresponsibility of Too Short's rhymes (it's not for nothing that P-Funk high priest makes a guest appearance on the colorfully titled "U Stank." 7.75 OUT OF 10 |
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| G. Dep- Child Of The Ghetto: As one of the last few shining lights at Puff's crumbling Bad Boy empire, G-Dep's crisp, conversational flow was expected to help fill the gaping hole left at the label by the death of Biggie and resignation of the LOX. Interestingly, Dep's solo debut actually does a decent job (along with Black Rob's Life Story) of further cementing Puff's rep as a great spotter of talent. G-Dep cashes in on the street buzz that has been festering since his performances on the Bad Boy compilation The Saga Continues... on "Special Delivery," a modest head-nodder with its minimalist loop and drum programs--Puff ad-libs notwithstanding. On "I Am," which teams up arguably two of the greatest MCs of all time (Rakim and Kool G Rap) with Dep, and the Depster more than holds his own. "Keep It Gangsta" features an introspective Shyne waxing cryptically about the court case that got him locked down, and the clubby "Smash on the First Night" is another one of those must-hear gems. Still, the album has problem areas. Why lazily lift a loop from Eric B and Rakim's classic "Microphone Fiend" on "Doe Fiend"? And why do two of the best joints on this album ("Lets Get It," "Child of the Ghetto") already appear on the The Saga Continues...? 8 OUT OF 10 |
| Kardinal Offishall- Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 is as much a dancehall reggae album as a hip-hop record, with Kardinal bringing out his West Indian background on roots thumpers like "Ol' Time Killin'" and "Go Ahead Den." Handling most of the album's production himself, the rough-voiced MC also veers into R&B on "Powerful," comedy on "UR Ghetto 2002," racial politics on the stirring "Man by Choice," and hip-hop pop on "Husslin'." And for those not familiar with the T-Dot, Kardinal also breaks down Toronto hip-hop lingo on the anthemic "BaKardi Slang." It's slick, but not in a cloying, saccharine way. While Kardinal's obviously shooting for international attention, that's not coming at the expense of his original sound. An impressive debut for an artist who's come to define Canadian hip-hop. 8.5 OUT OF 10 |
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