- All the scales are based on a 10-point richter scale.
- And reflect me and my friends own personal views from purchasing the albums and reading hip-hop publications.
- So Far FeaturinG: WC, CAPPADONNA, THE LOX, AND GANGSTAAR
***NEW*** --->PaGE Two: featuring DMX and the BULWORTH soundtrack.
WC-The Shadiest One
(8.3)
"Gotta get the scrilla, gotta get the scrilla, gotta get da cash flow!" WC's makin' that chedder off his 2nd album drop. "The Shadiest One" follows his collaboration with the Mad Circle. This hoodsta is off the heezie and represents Westside Connect to tha fullest. WC releases track after track filled with phat beats and rhymes comin' straight from the hood. In "The Shadiest One" and "Keep Hustlin'", WC teams up with various other west coast artists to create some tight jams. This album is original because of the crazy adventures and subjects WC flows about, any rap head should love this album. But if y'all think WC is the tightest member in Westside Connect, then you won't be dissapointed with these joints from the Shadiest One!
GUEST WRITER: Kiyoshi Shogun
CAPPADONNA-The Pillage
(7.5)
Cappachino comes raw on this solo shot LP. The RZA lays down his typical discordant Eatsern beats as 'Donna brings mad flows on this album. Assisted by fellow gambinos Meth, Ghost, and others, Cappa puts down a solid album with some hit songs. "Slang Editorial", "Run", and "Milk This Cow" got the bumpin'-ass beats. Overall, an average album for all hip-hop heads but die-hard Wu fans should enjoy this cd for a long while.
THE LOX-Money, Power, Respect
(8.0)
Bad Boy Entertainment is usually known for it's "Dance-Hop" pop music, but the Lox is far from that. They continue Biggie's legacy of Bad Boy hardcore rap. The Lox comes with raw, basic beats (produced by Puff) that emphasizes their unique flow. Don't let their hit singles "If You Think I'm Jiggy" and "Money, Power, Respect" fool you, they're not party emcee's. Check their freestyles on Funkmaster Flex's mix cd, straight butta.
GANGSTAAR-The Moment of Truth
(8.7)
damn...dat's all you can say as Guru and Premier team up to bring da bumps to yo knot. DJ Premier continues to create some of the tightest beats out there. Just check "You Know My Steez", "Work", and "Royalty" (feat. K-Ci & JoJo); if you ain't bobbin' yo head off those joints, you must be deaf or haering-impaired or somethin'. The monotone master, Guru, brings intelligence and skill to his flow. He raises important issues, as well as straight doggin' all those wack emcee's with some battle flow ("The Militia" feat. Big Shug & Da Foxx). A variety of underground rhymers (including the Rebel INS) assist Gangstaar in their mission to rock the hip-hop world. And with the highest "mic score" the SOURCE magazine has given in a while, I think they succeeded.
BOMB SINGLES
- NOREAGA --- "N.O.R.E."
- EIGHTBALL --- "Pure Uncut"
- W.C. --- "Chedda"
- DEF SQUAD --- "Full Cooperation"
- GOODIE MOB --- "Black Ice"
- BIG PUN feat. Joe --- "Still Not A Player"
- PUFF DADDY feat. Notorius B.I.G. --- "Victory"
- MISSY ELLIOT --- "Hit 'Em Wit Da Hee"
- CHARLIE BALTIMORE --- "Money"
- GANGSTARR --- "Militia"
- CANIBUS ---"Second Round K.O."
