55northorangeportlandmd55355

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

The Best 'Em-era :

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

I was apprehensive when I first heard these two together, but as "Bloodspiller" progressed I understood that this collaborative LP is an exhibition of two swordsmen sharpening each others iron. Voices distinct and flows unique, I can say that this record is where I finally made up my mind that Tha God Fahim is the best emcee to come out of Atlanta as he spit bars that can relate to the everyman while still humbly bragging about cruising down I-85. Jay Nice compliments Fahim, but I cant necessarily say he could hold his own. I wasn't encouraged after hearing "Bloodspiller" to search for a solo nice tape, while Fahim outshines on the tape and leaves a listener wanting more than just the runtime contained here on "Bloodspiller" with it's soul samples, relaxing woodwind based instrumentals colliding with solid bronze bars. - C.V.R. The Bard 18th/Dec.2k24

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

*The legendary blue impala from "Still A G Thang"

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

Snoop brings his A-Game to those Beats By Dre, but the problem with "Missionary" is that Snoop's constant references to the past dates the record in-time. This is not '" 95 plus 4 pennies", though Eminem's verse on "Gunz N Smoke" had me slam dancing against a wall like Dr. Dre bragged about making listener's do to "Guilty Conscience" off "Bitch Please II". Despite this, Em''s verse was a complete rehash of his verse on Xzibit's "Don't Approach Me". I also have a problem with Jelly Roll getting Aftermath features since "TDOSS" where he doesn't even get to spit a 16. Waste of talent. Still "Last Dance With Mary Jane" is my favorite record off "Missionary" along with "Another Part Of Me" - these tracks are where the live-instrumentation, spacey-sample style find their best points. The ICU is no Mike Elizondo. No Mark Batson. No Mel-Man. Honestly the style they've ushered in for Dre since "Compton" has destroyed claims that the "Good Dr." is "Hip-Hop's Best DJ". Snoop has never been a top lyricist, so with the slew of records coming from the NWA family tree this past month, Dre and Snoop have dropped a record that has all the bells and whistles of name brand recognition but I always favored "The Chronic" over "Doggystyle". If only "The Contract" got this much press. Method Man had the best verse on the whole album ; yes even over Eminem and between "Gunz .." and that verse on "Magic 2" 50 Cent just needs to stay retired. It's crazy that the biggest problems on a Snoop record is Snoop himself, and the other Dr. Dre yes-men, the ICU. If Dre gets those guys away from him, he can be trusted to revive his legacy with one last hurrah ("Detox"), if not, well those beat switches got old since Em's "Discombobulated" and after hearing "Missionary", years apart and miles away from L.A. - I can now understand why music critics panned "Compton". Dre needs to bring back single producer's to collaborate on his beats, there are too many cooks in Dre's kitchen and "Missionary" is another case of a fucked up formula thanks to the ICU. - C.V.R. The Bard 13th/Dec.2k24

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

*Takes me back to those Sity Senter days in Wichita Falls, TX with my VI lover at the time.

Caribbean chicks are always the best to take out.

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

"Love" took me by surprise once the tape got to the Death Row features. Before "Chucks" the record seemed like an L.A. anthem album and then after "Chucks" the album became why Blu continues to spit and make projects with Exile despite lack of mainstream notoriety. Not the most original material or head-scratching bars, but a down to earth autobiographical account of an emcee's emcee and the choices that have him dwell in the underground. - C.V.R. The Bard 11th/Nov.2k24

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

April 2000

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

Children of Sodom suck flavored condomns Soon as the door close Folks be passing through Atlanta for a layover I be in Atlanta passing through Panamanian Pie in my pornos So much better than Digiorno's

Swear 2 GOD Crazy broads Got the best wormhole I would know Man spends most of his life looking for a warm hole before the inevitable cold casket mattress It's "which maiden can ignite my fire without matches?" Match the passion and desire of immutable fire found on funeral pyre's as we dance the dance of life and death making love until there's no mo' emotion left or until my balls bereft of life force just give me an hour I got more depths to explore As long as you ain't too sore From my time touching what you thought was the bottom Children of Sodom suck flavored condomns soon as the door close Folks be passing through Atlanta for a layover I be in Atlanta passing through Panamanian Pie in my pornos So much better than Digiorno's - Tony's Pizza. Tony's Pizza Tony's Pizza Passing through Panamanian Pie in my porno's So much better than Digiorno's Tony's Pizza.

- C.V.R. The Bard 10th/Dec.2k24

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

*The broads though in that royal blue ...

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

Children of Sodom suck flavored condomns Soon as the door close Folks be passing through Atlanta for a layover I be in Atlanta passing through Panamanian Pie in my pornos So much better than Digiorno's

Swear 2 GOD Crazy broads Got the best wormhole I would know Man spends most of his life looking for a warm hole before the inevitable cold casket mattress It's "which maiden can ignite my fire without matches?" Match the passion and desire of immutable fire found on funeral pyre's as we dance the dance of life and death making love until there's no mo' emotion left or until my balls bereft of life force just give me an hour I got more depths to explore As long as you ain't too sore From my time touching what you thought was the bottom Children of Sodom suck flavored condomns soon as the door close Folks be passing through Atlanta for a layover I be in Atlanta passing through Panamanian Pie in my pornos So much better than Digiorno's - Tony's Pizza. Tony's Pizza Tony's Pizza Passing through Panamanian Pie in my porno's So much better than Digiorno's Tony's Pizza.

- C.V.R. The Bard 10th/Dec.2k24

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

Far from disappointing, after hearing Slade on Shade45 for the first time. The comic book / video game references are welcome, the guests from BK to Cleveland are unexpected and the instrumentals are grimey and soulful. A great introduction to Hip-Hop in Mondo. - C.V.R. The Bard 9th/Dec.2k24

[55northorangeportlandmd55355]

Ransom takes a stab at making Jay-Z proud. I dont know if it's because Fraud is from BK, but this LP sounds like Ransom doing his best HOV impression. Certainly not the best impression of Ran, so I'm glad I have familiarized myself with his work before hearing "Lavish Misery". - C.V.R. The Bard 9th/Dec.2k24