| Reviews |
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| 2pac- Nu Mixx Klazzics: When I heard about this album coming out I was hoping for some great remixes. But it looks like they just did this album real quick so they could put it out. The beats are o.k., but probably could've been better. There are only 10 tracks on the cd, and only about 47 minutes of songs. And the hit'em up remix is a clean version (I didn't get the clean version, so why?). My opinion: The Row needs to quit working on their 2Pac tracks and get that Crooked I album done. He's the best shot at bringing back the west. Don't get me wrong, I love 2Pac's music. But it's gotta be done right. 6 OUT OF 10 |
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| 50 Cent- The New Breed DVD: The burgeoning career of 50 Cent is extensively profiled in this fascinating look at the life of the rap star. Narrowly avoiding a fatal shooting, 50 Cent emerged stronger and fitter, ready to take the rap game by storm. THE NEW BREED also features live footage from an Eminem support slot in Detroit, the videos for "Heat," "In Da Club," and "Wanksta," as well as extensive on the road footage. Finally, Tony Yayo from G-Unit adds his thoughts on the 50 Cent phenomena, and given that he was residing in a state penitentiary at the time, his perspective is unique and insightful. 8 OUT OF 10 |
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| Missy Elliott- This Is Not a Test: She still sounds as hungry and driven as ever, refusing to repeat past successes, pushing on to newer and weirder realms. Why anybody would choose to spend their life without a copy of THIS IS NOT A TEST! is a mystery. Ridiculously, abstrusely , hyper-generously funky, It's both consistently catchy and consistently weird in all the right ways. Elliott is full of vim and vinegar, especially when she's rapping or singing about sex. Elliott sets out to compete with the champagne-and-silk-underwear crowd of foxy, urban chanteuses. 7 OUT OF 10 |
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| State Property- Chain Gang Vol II: State Property, a collective built around troubled but talented Beanie Sigel, were first seen by most of the public in a 2002 movie (fittingly enough titled STATE PROPERTY) starring said head rapper as Beans, a young gangsta who decides to lead his crew on a rampaging takeover of his city. Led by Beanie, the group is bolstered by the talents of a slew of the best up-and-coming young rappers Roc-A-Fella records could bring into the fold. Including the electrifying breakout lyricist Freeway and the alluringly dulcet-toned duo Young Gunz, State Property offer up a take-no-prisoners firestorm of violent flow focused by a righteously angry intelligence and the aptest of references. Switching off and combining their talent in multiple manners on CHAIN GANG VOL. 2, State Property presents a balanced attack of solid raps. Chris and Neef of Young Gunz start things up with their trademarked trading-off vocals on the ferocious "Can't Stop, Don't Stop." Roc-A-Fella CEO and prolific megastar Jay-Z (who played a rival gang leader in the movie) drops in with one of his strongest, twistiest turns on "It's On." And when most of the members combine talents, the strongest tracks emerge, as on the dizzy "When You Hear That. 8 OUT OF 10 |