The overall rating of this in some places suggests this is better than his debut but I can't agree with that. I think the raw production really suited his story telling horrocore type of lyrics that were on his debut. This is a tad more polished and most of it still works quite well but I don't think this has the standouts and rawness that makes Prone to Bad Dreams such a joy.
Best Tracks: One Way Out, Until It Hit Home, My Mind Went Blank
Like others, I cant give this a higher rating because of its unoriginality, however, Fashawn's lyrics are more original and his own than other reviewers would have you think. With the beats, you know what are getting - some of the best of '94 that still sound great these days, and Fashawn is a good rapper so overall it's a good listen if you are a fan of Illmatic, even if it is weird not hearing Nas over the classic beats.
He can't rap like Rakim (not many can) but I seem to be one of the few who like this. Good heavy sampled production, with most fitting into the pop rap category. Apart from 'Love' everything works to some degree. A feel good album. Some catchy stuff.
Best Tracks: I Can't Let You, You're My Painted Picture, Good Bye, Get It On
Be it Jay-Z or going all the way back to the Beastie Boys, there are a number of well renowned rappers/duos/groups I don't understand the fuss with, but Cam'ron and his crew have to take the cake by a mile. Many beats sound cheap throughout their discographies, are boring coming from one of the weaker periods of the genre, and the rappers are weak. Cam'ron particularly is just someone I cannot get my head around. There are times listening to him rap when I get incensed. 'Real Niggas' ain't terrible until he comes along with his nonsensical punchlines and annoying flow. If anyone rates this guy highly they must prefer comedy to music. Take 'I Really Mean It' as another example. The Kanye West like beat with the repetitive highly pitched sample goes alright, but Cam is just so boring. He also gets drowned out by the beat sometimes that I've noticed on other releases from him as well as on this album. There are some okay songs due to some beats being good, and DMX adds some much needed energy to the album on 'What's Really Good' towards its conclusion, but damn, if anyone shouldn't release a double disc album almost 110 minutes long, it's these guys.
Best Tracks: Who I Am, More than Music, The First, What's Really Good
As this was released, throughout his solo career, Daz had basically released albums like clockwork, year after year after year. With this one, while he has named it after the popular rap sub-genre at the time of crunk, apart from having a bit more bite to some of the beats, I wouldn't classify it as belonging to that genre of music. Lyrically there is some very generic content including 'Can I Bounce Dat' and 'Big O' Butt' being about big round booty, but Daz makes them as enjoyable as possible with his great flow and mic presence. Overall, it's a bit hit or miss. The standouts are listed below and are a mix of bangers and slower west coast beats, particularly the final two songs, but there are a handful of lacklustre songs as well. Daz fans may enjoy a few tracks like I do, but otherwise check for his other material. Pretty hit or miss but I love the best of them.
Best Tracks: We Mean Bizniz, I'm Lookin for Dat Gangsta Bit**, Can I Bounce Dat, It's Time to Ride on 'Em, License To Kill