INTRODUCTION
The first album I ever reviewed on this blog was Sean Price's second album, Jesus Price Supastar, so I figured it was about time I started completing the rest of his solo discography.
I already supplied you with some background information in the Jesus Price Supastar writeup, so I'll try to keep this introduction short and sweet.
After releasing two albums with Heltah Skeltah (a duo comprised of himself [where he is known as "Ruck"] and his partner-in-crime Rock), Sean P went seven years without putting out any solo material. He worked with his Boot Camp Clik crew on the 2002 album The Chosen Few and dropped a few guest verses on other projects, but for the most part, P was silent.
Then, in 2005, Sean Price released his debut album, Monkey Barz, to critical acclaim. It was named Independent Album of the Year by AllHipHop.com, and many other hip-hop aficionados and fans dubbed it one of the best projects of the 2000s.
Is Monkey Barz as good as everyone hypes it up to be?
There's only one way to find out, and that's by reviewing it.
TRACK-BY-TRACK
1. Peep My Words
Well, Sean Price is already off to a good start, as he forgoes and album intro for an actual song. The late Kleph Dollaz of the group Ill Biskits laces a soulful beat for P to spit his boasts over, and he comes with some hilarious rhymes that have become so typical of himself right off the bat. Solid way to kick off Monkey Barz.
2. One Two Yall
This is pretty freaking good. Moss is on the boards here, putting together a grimy instrumental consisting of a piano riff and some dusty drums. In his second verse, Sean P says "plain lame, acting ignorant." That's a fairly accurate way to describe Sean Price's rhymes, which generally never make any sort of sense but still somehow sound great.
3. Onion Head
This is where things really start to get good. Khrysis crafts a banger for P, who threatens to "smack off half your smile" and then smack off the other half "after trial." Awesome. Tek from Smif-N-Wessun is here, as well, and he drops the hook. "Onion Head" is one of the best pump-up songs I've ever heard. It's pretty much guaranteed to get your blood boiling.
4. Fake Neptune
Sean Price isn't exactly enthralled with mainstream rap, and he lets you know that in the title of this track alone. Clearly, P is poking fun at The Neptunes and radio records of that ilk. And come on; you know you laughed when Sean P said "how you gon' shit on me after I let you shit on me, freaky deaky." Everything from the instrumental by Phat Babyz to P's raps to the guest verses by Steele (the other half of Smif-N-Wessun) and Louieville Sluggah (from Originoo Gunn Clappaz) is on point. Louieville's verse is especially dope. Oh, and Buckshot does the hook. Yeah; "Fake Neptune" is pretty much sick.
5. Heartburn
9th Wonder lays down the smooth production for Sean P on "Heartburn," where our host talks about everything he "loves," ranging from his wife to "fist fights with brass knuckles" and, um, wallabies. Yes; wallabies. Another winner for Sean Price on Monkey Barz.
6. Shake Down
Over a pretty hard beat by Star.com and Justice (who?), P, Starang Wondah (of Originoo Gunn Clappaz) and Steele rap generically about how they can't be messed with. I know that last sentence may have seemed like a subtle criticism, but it really wasn't. This is pretty good. It's not on the same level as the preceding three cuts, but it was still good, nonetheless.
7. Mad Mann
The first true misfire on Monkey Barz. P.F. Cuttin's drums are way too busy, and the sample just sounds messy. P definitely could have done without this one.
8. Brokest Rapper You Know
Even Sean Price himself would tell you this isn't true anymore, but back in 2005, I guess this was kind of appropriate (although still not really). Regardless, this song is obviously not to be taken literally. It's Sean Price, after all, and hey; this short record is still pretty solid, anyway.
9. Boom Bye Yeah
You know how I've said how sometimes rappers "rap like nothing and it sounds like something" on this blog before? Well, this is where it came from, as Sean P says that line in "Boom Bye Yeah," which is undoubtedly one of the best tracks on Monkey Barz. Tone Mason's fast-paced beat is crazy, and P obliges with a brilliant three-verse performance. This is another one of those good pump-up songs that seem to permeate this album.
10. I Love You (Bitch)
The title of this song is obviously in conflict with itself, but that's Sean Price for you. The Luther Vandross-sampling production by Dub Z is decent, and P drops some pretty damn misogynistic rhymes about how even though he can't stand certain things about his girl, he wants to stay with her. In his defense, though, he says "I ain't shit and you ain't shit, we belong together." So, at the very least, he was also self-deprecating.
11. Bye Bye
That leads us to the crown jewel of Monkey Barz. Khrysis laces the best beat he has ever done here, utilizing an Aretha Franklin sample and throwing on some banging drums. Buckshot is here to actually drop verses this time, and although Sean P clearly walks away the winner, Buck does very well. "Bye Bye" is actually a misogynistic record itself (maybe even moreso than the song prior), but Khrysis' instrumental is so damn good, and the performances by both Sean Price and Buckshot were more than impressive, objectionable lyrics aside. The record is basically about how P and Buck no longer want to deal with their girls' bullcrap anymore, and I'm sure a lot of guys out there will relate to that subject matter regardless of the way it is being presented.
12. Spliff N Wessun
You would think Smif-N-Wessun would be the guest artists on this track, but you would be wrong, as Ruste Juxx hops on (and rips it, I might add). The Ayatollah beat is really freaking good, and Sean P comfortably spits some fire. Good cut.
13. Jail Shit
This was solid. Agallah lays down the instrumental, and Rock is on the hook. I'm not sure why P wouldn't ask his Heltah Skeltah brother to drop a verse here, and I'm really curious as to how Rock would have sounded on this if he did so. Oh well. Sean Price does well enough on his own.
14. Monkey Barz
Ty Deals' production seriously consists of a bunch of jungle noises--especially monkeys, surprise, surprise--and Sean P somehow manages to make it work. This is actually one of P's best lyrical outputs on the album, as the Brownsville rapper proves that he can spit over any beat. I enjoyed this quite a bit.
15. Slap Boxing
Rock is here again, and this time, he actually drops a verse. Ruste Juxx comes through for another verse of his own, too. Unfortunately, the instrumental by Edward Maximillion III isn't engaging enough to make "Slap Boxing" that worthwhile, a pretty freaking dope performance from Rock notwithstanding. It doesn't help that Sean Price sounds like he phoned in his verse, either.
16. Rising To The Top
You may remember this song from the Grand Theft Auto III soundtrack. Agallah is on the boards again, and he offers up two verses and the chorus, as well. The production is just alright, if not a bit bland. This was a fairly boring way to close out Monkey Barz, and to make matters worse, this is the longest song on the album.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The verdict on Monkey Barz is in, and it's that it deserves every ounce of praise that has been heaped upon it since its release in 2005. This is a great album, containing numerous bangers and consistently dope performances by Sean Price (and his guests) on the mic.
Monkey Barz does not stick to any one particular theme, but that's the type of artist Sean P is. He is not a concept rapper. He just spits, and sometimes, that's for the best. P's debut record is a prime example of that. The large variety of producers on this project also adds to the unpredictability, and a little bit of volatility often makes a hip-hop album that much more interesting.
The only criticism I would have is that Monkey Barz is an album that probably should have come out five years earlier. I'm not sure what took so long for Sean Price to release his debut record, as Heltah Skeltah put out Magnum Force in 1998 and then didn't put out another project for 10 years. Perhaps Sean P was very busy during that time period; I don't know, but an earlier release would have certainly lengthened his solo career.
It was also a bit disappointing that there was no production from Da Beatminerz on here, but the beats were good enough as a whole where P's former go-to beatmaking team wasn't sorely missed.
Another aspect about Monkey Barz that you have to admire is how Sean Price kept the features in-house. Outside of Agallah, every guest on the album is a member of the Boot Camp Clik or, at the very least, is affiliated with the collective (Ruste Juxx).
Monkey Barz was a very impressive debut effort from a rapper that wasn't expected to be this dope as a solo artist. If you don't have this in your collection yet, then I suggest that you get moving.
TOP TRACKS
1. Bye Bye
2. Onion Head
3. Boom Bye Yeah
4. Fake Neptune
5. Heartburn
INTRODUCTION
Heltah Skeltah introduced itself to the rap world in 1996 with its classic debut album Nocturnal, an incredibly raw and grimy record featuring top-notch production from Da Beatminerz and more than palpable raps from Ruck and Rock. Apparently, the duo was feeling so good about themselves after the critical success of their first project that they decided to completely exclude Da Beatminerz from their sophomore release, Magnum Force (did you sense any foreshadowing there?).
Now, it is well-known that putting out an outstanding debut is almost like a kiss of death, as the masses will never be satisfied will anything you put out afterward, no matter how good it may be (just ask Nas). I completely understand that aspect. However, failing to duplicate the success of your first album is one thing. Completely going away from the formula that brought you such success is another, and that is what Heltah Skeltah does on Magnum Force.
Don't think that I am about to metaphorically crap all over this album, because I'm not. In the grand scheme of things, I don't hate it. I mean, Ruck, who clearly established himself as the stronger member of the group on Nocturnal, had improved as a rapper by this point (which would eventually lead into a phenomenal solo career), and Rock's booming voice was still more than prevalent. The issue is whether or not the production on this album did Heltah Skeltah justice, and you're about to find out (in case you couldn't already tell).
TRACK-BY-TRACK
1. Worldwide (Rock The World)
Actually, Magnum Force gets off to a very solid start, as a producer named Self laces a good one for Ruck and Rock here, and Ruck just puts it to bed: "I'm artistic, watch how fast I draw my gun." Ruck was spitting vicious punchlines long before he became known as Sean Price. "Worldwide (Rock The World)" is pretty damn good.
2. Call Of The Wild
"Call Of The Wild" is the first of many mistakes on Magnum Force. It's not even that Self's beat is that bad (although it certainly isn't anything to write home about). The problem is the guest appearances. First of all, Ruck isn't even on here, which is a travesty in and of itself, but look who rapped instead of him: Representativz (a duo consisting of Supreme and Lidu Rock), Hardcore, and Doc Holiday. Starang Wondah is on this cut, too, so at least it has that going for it, but excluding Ruck for those guys is just beyond comprehension.
3. Gunz 'N Onez (Iz U Wit Me)
On the surface, this song looks like it would be really good, as it features Method Man, and who wouldn't want to hear a track featuring Ruck, Rock, and Meth? Don't get too excited, though, because this cut really isn't that impressive, thanks to the lackluster beat by Smoke which sounds like it's trying to mimic "Place To Be" off of Nocturnal at points.
4. Perfect Jab
Alright; now this effing bangs. Bangs. Like on "Call Of The Wild," Ruck is not present, which is extremely disappointing because he would have ripped this beat (which was co-produced by Rock and Supreme) to shreds, but Rock and Supreme (yes; they rapped on and produced this cut) do more than enough to hold it down. Seriously, though; what's with leaving Ruck out on two of the first four tracks?
5. Chika Woo
Ohhh; I get it now. Ruck didn't perform on "Call Of The Wild" or "Perfect Jab" so he could write this sappy break-up song. I appreciate the fact that Ruck tries to branch out and do something different, but he is just not suited for this type of track at all. The production (by Punch and NOD) is alright, but I have to convince myself that it's actually Ruck rapping whenever I listen to this. That generally isn't a good thing.
6. I Ain't Havin' That
This was the album's first single, and it was actually pretty popular. The beat by Cuzin Bawb (the hell?) and Starang Wondah (who also makes a guest appearance) is alright, but I lost interest in it midway through. There really isn't anything to see here.
7. Brownsville II Long Beach
One thing is for sure; the good moments on Magnum Force are really good, and this Dogg Pound collaboration is one of them. Daz Dillinger produces a banger of a beat, and both he and Kurupt drop solid verses (Kurupt actually drops two). However, it is Ruck who takes this track, kills it, revives it, and then kills it again. He absolutely shreds this. For example: "Act like it can't happen when would I ever let you slide, two fly niggas becoming victims of whorides, you try to avoid my clutches that's when you die, news fly fast as fuck on how Ruckus done bruised guys." Both of Ruck's verses (yes; he got two) are ill, making "Brownsville II Long Beach" the best song on the album.
8. Magnum Force
This is another one of the album's better tracks. The beat by Grand Daddy I.U. has "street banger" written all over it, and Ruste Juxx, who I friggin love, makes an appearance and drops a verse. The Representativz drop in, too, and they actually hold their own.
9. Sean Wigginz
Ruck gets his second solo cut on the project, but, unfortunately, it's only a minute and fifty-three seconds long, and he only spends about half of that time actually rapping. NOD's beat is pretty solid, though.
10. Forget Me Knots
This reminds me of "Perfect Jab," which is a great thing, and this time, Ruck is present. Grand Daddy I.U.'s beat is ill, possessing ridiculously hard-hitting kicks and snares that Ruck and Rock ride flawlessly. This is the Heltah Skeltah everyone wants to hear.
11. Black Fonzirelliz
If its title didn't tip you off as to how terrible "Black Fonzirelliz" is, then I guess you can go ahead and listen to the actual song for confirmation.
12. MFC Lawz
The beat is terrible, and it contains guest appearances from a bunch of guys I've never even heard of. Yeah; no thanks.
13. Hold Your Head Up
Heltah Skeltah tries to get deep here, and even if this isn't one of my favorite songs on Magnum Force, you've gotta appreciate the effort, as both Ruck and Rock sound sincere. Anthony Hamilton sings the hook.
14. Gang's All Here
This cut is over nine minutes long, so I obviously don't listen to it consistently as I just don't have the patience, but it's actually not that bad. Heltah Skeltah wasn't lying, either; the gang really is all here, as everyone from Smif-N-Wessun to two Originoo Gunn Clappaz members (Starang and Louieville Sluggah) to Buckshot make appearances. The beat by Smoke is decent enough.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As a whole, Magnum Force just isn't very good. Sure, Ruck and Rock (especially Ruck) prove they can still rip it and spit with the best of them, but the lack of any production by Da Beatminerz on here really puts a damper on anything the two rappers accomplish lyrically on this project.
Maybe it's because I am so spoiled by Da Beatminerz's beats on Nocturnal, but the beats on this album just do not hold up well at all. There were a couple of brilliant moments, such as "Perfect Jab" and "Forget Me Knots," but overall, the production on Magnum Force is extremely underwhelming, and some of the instrumentals (like "Chika Woo," for example) just do not suit Heltah Skeltah one bit.
I really have to question why in the world Ruck and Rock decided to go off on their own without Da Beatminerz in tow for this album. It's not like they had any kind of beef or anything, so what gives? Da Beatminerz just have a distinct sound that fits all of the Boot Camp Clik groups like a glove. If you would have given me only the instrumentals on Magnum Force to listen to without me knowing Ruck and Rock rapped over them, I never would have guessed that this was a Heltah Skeltah record.
I guess I shouldn't blast Heltah Skeltah too much, though, because this album is still better than a lot of the trash that is out there today. The problem is that it just isn't up to the standards that I expect out of the duo.
Perhaps the worst part about all of this is that Heltah Skeltah apparently did not learn from its mistakes, as its third album, D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team), released after a 10-year hiatus in 2008, also does not feature a single beat from Da Beatminerz. Oh well. Time to pop in Nocturnal.
TOP FIVE TRACKS
1. Brownsville II Long Beach
2. Forget Me Knots
3. Perfect Jab
4. Magnum Force
5. Worldwide (Rock The World)
SKIPPABLE TRACKS
Black Fonzirelliz
MFC Lawz
INTRODUCTION
Given that I just reviewed Heltah Skeltah's Nocturnal, I figured Sean Price's debut, Monkey Barz, would be an appropriate follow-up.
I'm not really going to bore you with too many details about Sean P, as I have already reviewed two albums where he was involved (Jesus Price Supastar, his second solo LP, and the aforementioned Nocturnal), and all you really need to know is that Monkey Barz was a long-awaited project from Sean Price, as he and his partner in crime, Rock, took a long hiatus after releasing their second record together, Magnum Force, in '98.
An interesting note about Monkey Barz, however, is that it does not feature one beat by Da Beatminerz. Instead, P enlists Justus Leaguers Khrysis and 9th Wonder, plus a plethora of other producers (most of them fairly unknown) to handle all 16 cuts on the project. Another notable is that there are no skits on Monkey Barz, and that is a fantastic thing, as I have always felt that skits were pretty pointless.
You all already know Sean Price's grimy, I-don't-give-a-crap lyrical style by now, so I won't get into that, either. Let's just jump right into that review, shall we?
TRACK-BY-TRACK
1. Peep My Words
No album intro? Perfect. Kleph Dollaz (seemingly a play on words of the pastor Creflo Dollar) produces a brilliant laid-back, reflective beat for Sean Price, but that doesn't stop P from going notoriously hard: "Y'all niggaz is fake, straight perpetrating the fraud, give me the cake 'fore I insert the eight in your broad, scared to death, niggas going face to face with the Lord, dumb out, bang ya motherfuckin' face in this board." Great start.
2. One Two Yall
Moss lays down a sick piano-driven beat for P on this cut, and Sean rips it: "Trained by ya vet, aimin' to sket, bangin' ya chest, flamin' ya flesh, straight David Koresh." Did I mention that Sean P has some vicious punchlines?
3. Onion Head
The first of two Khrysis productions on Monkey Barz is an absolute banger. As a matter of fact, it's one of the best beats Khrysis has ever laid out (it actually samples the famous song "If Lovin' You Is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right," believe it or not). This is also one of Sean Price's greatest performances, as he opens up the cut spitting: "Bitch harm me, the swiss army knife in my hand, know this shit corny, but it can end the life of ya fam, niggas know Sean nice with the hands, watch me punch up your face, dig in your pockets, leave you right where you stand." Whewww. "Onion Head" makes for the perfect pump-up song. By the way, Tek of Smif-N-Wessun does the hook.
4. Fake Neptune
Well, Monkey Barz is batting 1.000, because "Fake Neptune," produced by Phat Babyz, is also ill. The beat is sick, and Sean Price's lyrics are hilarious. For example: "Her favorite song on Nocturnal was 'Brainz Blo,' put on my pants, if she can let the brains blow, heh, I had to find that funny, lost my wallet, gotta find my money, bitch, how you gon' shit on me, after I let you shit on me? Freaky deaky." Then later, P raps: "Yo, alotta niggas rhyme, some of y'all nice, some sound the same, but not Sean Price, the O.D.B. of the B.C.C, I'm David Ruffin, save it it's nothin', no, need for acceptance, no need for applause, all you need is the gauss, when you bleeding of course." Buckshot does the hook, and Steele of Smif-N-Wessun and Louieville Sluggah of Originoo Gunn Clappaz drop guest verses. Everything about this track is great.
5. Heartburn
This is the lone 9th Wonder track on the album, and it's terrific. As you can expect, the beat is very soulful, and the kicks and snares on this are crazy. Over 9th's production, P raps about all of the things he "loves." Sean opens up with: "I love selling nicks at night, go home to my son, roll a spliff and watch Nick at Nite." Thus far, Monkey Barz has no weak points.
6. Shake Down
"Shake Down" contains a strange (but good) beat co-produced by Star.com and Justice, and Sean Price makes note of that in his first verse: "Come walk with P, so you all can see, how I get dough, spit flows, to an awkward beat,
betta look both ways before you cross the street,
the Pirellis on the Porsche push you off your feet." Steele spits the hook and raps a verse, and Starang Wondah of O.G.C. drops a verse, as well.
7. Mad Mann
This is the first song on the album that I don't like. P.F. Cuttin's beat isn't hitting me at all, and P, for the first time, doesn't really rap anything memorable.
8. Brokest Rapper You Know
This cut is only a minute and thirty-five seconds long, but it's still nice. Ty Deals drops a pretty soulful beat for P, who raps about how poor he is: "Last album came out, you motherfucks hate it, Rock solo, Ruck broke, here's a hundred dollars, what a fucking joke, eviction notice, yo I gotta go, album been out two months, ain't did a fucking show." Sean was obviously referring to how Magnum Force flopped there. Good cut.
9. Boom Bye Yeah
The Tone Mason-produced beat on this is nails (you have to play this in your ride). It is in sharp contrast to the rest of the album (save "Fake Neptune") as it is very fast-paced, and because of that, Sean P must change up his flow and adapt to the production, and he does that seamlessly. "I step in the ring weighing an even two hundred, lost twenty pounds in E-ville, fuckin' around with E pills, so I took a trip to Jacklin Lane, got my weight back like that when I snatched the chain," spits P. He later raps this gem: "Niggas be rhymin' 'bout nothing, I rhyme about nothin', it sound like somethin'." Definitely one of the best songs on Monkey Barz.
10. I Love You (Bitch)
This song is similar to "Heartburn," as Sean Price sticks to one concept throughout the entire track. This time, he raps about all of the cons of his girl and how he loves her anyway. The cut is just filled with backhanded compliments (if you can even call them that), making it extremely entertaining. The Dub Z beat seems kind of "off" at points, but it's still solid (I love those snares).
11. Bye Bye
Which brings us to the best song on Monkey Barz, and my favorite song of all-time, period. Khrysis produced what I think is the sickest beat in rap history, sampling a relatively unknown Aretha Franklin number ("No One Could Ever Love You More") and chopping it perfectly to form some incredible background vocals. There is no hook on this; just Sean Price and guest artist Buckshot each dropping two sick verses. In the first verse, Buckshot spits: "I know I coulda called you more, even though my niggas hustlin' in Baltimore, I call, you call, you call, I call but, I ain't callin no more, call a U-Haul, 'cause you off." P then raps: "Shorty rob all the stock outfit from pickin', I'll rip the fifth and, I ain't playin' witchya pa, leave ya shit split and take a quick trip to Wichita." I have listened to this track over and over again and I just can't get sick of it. Khrysis is a genius.
12. Spliff-N-Wessun
I figured "Bye Bye" would just be setting this track up for a letdown, but then the great Ayatollah comes through with a sick beat for Sean Price and Ruste Juxx, and Ruste rips it: "The criminal of the year, yeah I'm back to rob, so take ya shine off, when you see me on the job, due to the mac, I'm strapped, ready to clap, react, stop runnin' ya yap, and run ya stack." Nice, nice record.
13. Jail Shit
"If I die, yo I'm going out with knives in they grill, all my motherfuckin' life I've been real," spits P to end this Agallah-produced cut. Rock does the hook, but his performance on it is rather lackluster. The beat is decent, but overall, this track isn't anything spectacular, especially when compared to all of the songs prior.
14. Monkey Barz
Ty Deals puts together probably the most unorthodox beat I've ever heard here. Whenever I listen to the album's title track, I have to look around me to make sure I'm not in a zoo, because the production here literally consists of a bunch of jungle animals with some drums thrown over it. Somehow, though, P manages to make it work, spitting: "Aiyyo we Mighty Joe Youngin' it, thuggin' it, straight from the jungle my brother, my niggas Banana Republican, rang-a-tang slang, Chewbacca not proper, two socks full of rocks, plus the cops watch us." This will really grow on you after a couple of listens.
15. Slap Boxing
I didn't like this one at all. The beat, produced by Edward Maxmillion III (try saying that five times fast) is just terrible, and Sean Price sounds pretty uncomfortable on it. Rock and Ruste Juxx make guest appearances, but it doesn't matter; this track just isn't very good.
16. Rising To The Top
Unfortunately, Monkey Barz ended on a pretty poor note to me, as I didn't like this cut either. Agallah produces the beat (which isn't very good), does the hook, and drops a verse, and he manages to sound like a strange combination of DMX and Canibus in the process. "Rising To The Top" is also far too long for its own good, spanning five minutes and three seconds.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Although it didn't exactly end well, there is no denying that Monkey Barz is a spectacular effort by Sean Price. The good songs on the album are ridiculously good, possessing fantastic beats and some slick rhyming by P. Generally on an album that I like, I'll love one or two songs, like another four or so, and then the rest will just be so-so. On Monkey Barz, however, I love a good four or five songs and like every other track on the project save for "Mad Mann" and three of the final four records.
It's evident that Sean Price certainly does not need Rock to succeed, as one can argue that P's debut was actually a better all-around record than Heltah Skeltah's classic Nocturnal. Sean P obviously has a great ear for beats, as even the productions that were done by lesser producers sound good, for the most part. P's punchlines are also sharper than ever on this album, displaying considerable growth from the Heltah Skeltah days.
Monkey Barz is certainly one of the best hip-hop efforts that has been released thus far this century, as the production and Sean Price's otherworldly swagger is sure to keep the listener interested for all 16 cuts. P's choice of guest artists was also superb, as he, for the most part, limits it to fellow Boot Camp Clik members.
Of course, it would have been nice if the album ended better, but hey, the rest of the project is so phenomenal that I'm not going to gripe about that too much. Monkey Barz is one of my favorite records and will always receive consistent rotation in my music player.
TOP FIVE TRACKS
1. Bye Bye
2. Onion Head
3. Boom Bye Yeah
4. Fake Neptune
5. Heartburn
SKIPPABLE TRACKS
Mad Mann
Slap Boxing
INTRODUCTION
I'm pretty sure I've already pimped Nocturnal on this blog before and given bits of background information on Heltah Skeltah, but for the purpose of this review, I'll do it again.
Of course, Heltah Skeltah, made up of the duo of Ruck (now known as Sean Price) and Rock, were a part of the loose Boot Camp Clik collective, along with groups such as Black Moon, Smif-N-Wessun, and Originoo Gunn Clappaz. While most people would probably say that Black Moon's Enta Da Stage was the best album any branch of B.C.C. ever released, I beg to differ, as I think Nocturnal tops them all.
The good majority of the project was produced by Da Beatminerz, so, obviously, the beats on Nocturnal are grimy to the max. However, Da Beatminerz show considerable growth on this album, as their beats display much more variability and substance than on Enta Da Stage or Smif-N-Wessun's Dah Shinin'. I think that is what separates Nocturnal from the rest of the Clik's albums. That, and the fact that Ruck is clearly the best MC in the entire group, and Rock follows.
For some reason, Heltah Skeltah's debut has always been incredibly slept on, but then again, so has most of the Boot Camp Clik's work.
TRACK-BY-TRACK
1. Intro (Here We Come)
At first, this sounds like your typical album intro, which obviously disappointed me. However, that changes at the 1:11 mark, as Rock jumps on the mic and kills a solid beat that was co-produced by Buckshot and Lord Jamar. What's clever about Rock's verse, though, is that he incorporates the names of nearly each and every song on the album throughout. Some were understandably left out (it's kind of hard to work "Letha Brainz Blow" and, especially, "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" in to a verse), but I don't see what was so hard about trying to fit "Undastand" in there. Whatever. I like the way this album is starting.
2. Letha Brainz Blow
Baby Paul of Da Beatminerz drops a smooth, sick beat (I love those dusty kicks) for Ruck and Rock here, and the two MCs trade verses throughout. Really nice record.
3. Undastand
This might be my favorite song off of Nocturnal, but I like the album so much that it's hard to pick. "Undastand" is another Baby Paul beat (he gets most of the production credits on the project), and, unlike most Boot Camp Clik productions, it's actually pretty soulful. The hook on this is especially sick, with Ruck and Rock rapping, "Undastand, Heltah Skeltah only means war, undastand, the war's with everything outside your door, undastand." Also, for the first time on the album, Ruck demonstrates his lyrical prowess: "Heltah Skeltah start stormin', your life's a dream and it's morning, I'm warnin', people who jail my name ring bells like a doorman, a warrant, for the arrest of a militant menace, who serve heads like tennis with words that diminish."
4. Who Dat?
I guess this one-minute, forty-four second cut is a song. Whatever it is, I don't like it. It seems out of place and throws the album out of its rhythm.
5. Sean Price
As I'm sure you can guess, Ruck is the only Heltah Skeltah member present on this track. I bet you didn't guess, though, that Ruck is not alone on this cut, as Illa Noyz, a B.C.C. affiliate, jumps in and drops a verse. Illa Noyz certainly holds his own (his verse is actually very impressive), but this cut was built for Ruck: "Word is Bon Jovi, niggas don't know me, hoes blow me, show me affection for constant erection, my direction of pistols pointed at niggas on Bristol, who thought it was fun to pull guns and issue my dismissal." The beat, produced by Shaleek, is extremely dark and fits the subject matter perfectly. Sick record.
6. Clan's, Posse's, Crew's, & Clik's
You'd figure that because this song is five minutes and twenty-three seconds long, there would be some guest appearances. There aren't, though, and that's a good thing. I haven't really talked about Rock too much yet, but he rips this cut: "I, be the drama bringer, wringer of a nigga's neck, wrecker of a set, I buck shots with a steel tec." DJ Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz produced the cut, laying down a number typical of Da Beatminerz.
7. Therapy
This was Nocturnal's third and final single, and judging from its sound, it was a pretty good choice. The hook, done by Vinia Mojica, is pretty lame, but the Baby Paul beat is very smooth and relaxing (which is appropriate considering the title), and the track's content is surprisingly introspective (I say "surprising" because, generally, B.C.C. cuts are nothing short of hardcore). The only problem that I have with "Therapy" is that Ruck plays the therapist and Rock plays the patient. I think it would have been better had a guest played the former role and Ruck and Rock both played patients on separate verses, but whatever; this is still a good song.
8. Place To Be
"Place To Be" contains one of the most simplistic beats on the album, but also one of the best. Shawn J. Period lays down the cut for Heltah Skeltah, a production heavily reliant on hats and snares much like was prevalent throughout Enta Da Stage and Dah Shinin'. "Yo and if you think that’s hectic, it gets worse when Rock’s up in it, so somebody tell the fat lady she’s up in five minutes, shit is almost finished right after I take care of witnesses, roamin' the premises not mindin' they businesses," spits Rock.
9. Soldiers Gone Psycho
Back to Baby Paul for this beat, and it's ill. Unorthodox, but ill. "My parabellum means swelling cerebellums when we dwelling with caucasoids, you void, my niggas rebellin'," raps an unrelenting Ruck. This track epitomizes the head-nodder.
10. The Square (Triple R)
For some reason, I always forget what this track sounds like until I go back and listen to it. I really don't know why, though, because Heltah Skeltah's delivery on this is out of control. The Representativz, B.C.C. affiliates, drop guest verses, but they're essentially negligible because Ruck and Rock demolish this Supreme beat: "Yo, who’s the square there squared with the back bender? I beat blood out of ya number one contender, The Representativz are, sent to ya drama, while I sneak up behind ya to put space in your back like a comma," spits Rock. Ruck later comes through and raps these sick bars: "Aiyyo, we equal emcee squared, dare tempt me, empty shells, now ya layin' where playas and pimps be, on microphones with hyper tones, that’s when I swipe ya bones with knife and chrome."
11. Da Wiggy
Two things really stand out on this track, and they both collide with one another: 1.) The drums are sick. 2.) Those stupid chipmunk-sounding vocals on the hook are just plain annoying. Still, as a whole, this cut is really good, as both Heltah Skeltah members rip it. "I serve, justice, must this be the answer? For my gun to click, terminal like cancer," raps Ruck. Rock and Ruck then each trade three bars, with Rock rapping: "Send that guy to Rockness Monsta, stomp ya, split him in half, divide and conquer, I want ya," and Ruck continuing with: "To test the irrational inflictor, Rock pounds the ground, while Ruck shakes the Richter."
12. Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka
This was Nocturnal's first single and, without a doubt, its most popular song. The Originoo Gunn Clappaz are featured on this cut, and Starang Wondah gets the first verse, spitting: "Ay caramba, Starang, Gunn Clappa numba, one on the set man, I'll cut ya like lumber." Ruck then drops a colossal verse later, rapping: "I control the masses, with metaphors that's massive, don’t ask if the nigga Rucker bash shit like Cassius, I’m drastic, when it comes to verbs I be flippin', 'cause herbs just be shittin' off the words I be kickin'." Baby Paul is on the boards once again, and he drops a simple, ultra-relaxing production that may very well be the best beat on the album. "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" is the reason why I said "Undastand" might be my favorite song earlier; this one is right there with it.
13. Prowl
This one is just okay. Louieville Sluggah of O.G.C. drops a guest verse and does a solid job, but the entire song itself is kind of bland. It just sounds far too ordinary and doesn't stand out at all. That's not to say it's a bad song, though, because it really isn't. Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz produced it, by the way.
14. Grate Unknown
Outside of some adlibs from Ruck, Rock is by himself on this track, and as much as I love Rock, this is one of the album's weaker efforts. Shaleek's beat is just alright (it pales in comparison to the "Sean Price" joint he laid down for Ruck earlier), and a Heltah Skeltah song without Ruck is like the 90s Bulls without Jordan. It just isn't right.
15. Operation Lock Down
There was a bit of a lull on the past two tracks, but, thank God, "Operation Lock Down," Nocturnal's second single, saves the album from a less-than-stellar conclusion. E-Swift lays down an absolutely mesmerizing beat for Heltah Skeltah and guest artist Buckshot (don't get too excited about Buckshot; he only mumbles barely audible adlibs in the background), and Ruck and Rock change up their vocal styles a bit to match the beat, adapting a much more subdued delivery. Great, great way to end the album.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Nocturnal is, in my opinion, one of the most overlooked albums in hip-hop history. The production throughout, mostly done by Da Beatminerz, is pretty spot on, and it suits Ruck and Rock to a tee. The subject matter is pretty steadfast for the duration of the project, with Heltah Skeltah spitting their best "I'm tougher than you" rhymes on all 15 tracks.
The beats on Nocturnal are clearly more advanced than they are on Nocturnal's cousins, Enta Da Stage and Dah Shinin', making the album, in my opinion, the most enjoyable of all of the Boot Camp Clik projects. I think the key difference however, lies within the actual performances of Ruck and Rock, who are undoubtedly the best two rappers in the B.C.C. collective (even though some are partial to Buckshot).
This isn't the kind of album to listen to if you're looking for club bangers or even a good record to bump in your ride, as not many of these cuts make for good rider music. However, it is a great record to throw on while you're chilling at the crib. I understand that statement may come off as surprising given the aggressive content on Nocturnal, but the production will relax you beyond belief (see: "Operation Lock Down").
For some reason, Nocturnal was always considered to be a step behind Enta Da Stage, which is generally always on top 100 lists, and Dah Shinin', which also makes occasional appearances on such lists. I personally do not understand why it doesn't get more love; I figured it would show up on someone's top 100 rankings at some point, but it never has (unless you're counting me).
All of that said, you need to go and cop this.
TOP FIVE TRACKS
1. Undastand
2. Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka
3. Sean Price
4. Operation Lock Down
5. Da Wiggy
SKIPPABLE TRACKS
Who Dat?
INTRODUCTION
Sean Price is a "your favorite rapper's favorite rapper" type of artist. Originating from the duo Heltah Skeltah (where he is known as "Ruck"), part of the loosely-knit supergroup Boot Camp Clik, Sean Price has stamped his name in the annals of hip-hop history as one of the most vicious punchline rappers to ever grab a mic.
In 1996, Sean P teamed up with his partner-in-crime Rock to create Heltah Skeltah's first album, the classic Nocturnal (which will certainly be reviewed at some point on this site). Although it did not sell incredibly well (and honestly, does anyone who actually likes real hip-hop really care about record sales?), it was critically acclaimed for its dark and grimy production by Da Beatminerz and skillful, effortless lyricism by Ruck and Rock. Thus, Sean Price was born.
Fast forward nine years later to 2005, and P released his debut solo album Monkey Barz (which, like Nocturnal, will also be reviewed), regarded by many as one of the best rap albums of the decade. Two years later, he dropped Jesus Price Supastar, and that brings us to the review:
TRACK-BY-TRACK:
1. Intro
I generally don't care too much for album intros, as most of the time, it is a rapper simply talking (not rapping; talking) over a boring beat. This is not the case on the intro to Jesus Price Supastar, as P.F. Cuttin supplies P with a thumping instrumental, and Sean absolutely laces it.
2. Like You10 For The Triad is on the boards here, and he puts down a solid beat that P does work with. I particularly like the repetitive and catchy hook, and of course, Sean P's verses are sick: "Go, line for line, rhyme for rhyme, ten paces turn around shoot nine for nine, you can tell by the rhyme it's my time to shine, let's eat, motherfucker I don't dine on swine."
3. P-BodyProduced by 9th Wonder, "P-Body" may not exactly sound like a trademark 9th production, but nevertheless, it bangs. Rock stops by to spit the hook as Sean Price puts together one of his best lyrical performances on Jesus Price Supastar. "Supposed to, lie to the cops and tell the truth in the booth instead you tell the truth to the cops and lie in the booth." *insert P! adlib here*
4. CardiacIllmind drops a fast-paced banger here, and Buckshot and Ruste Juxx jump in to drop verses while Flood (who sounds like he could be Tony Yayo's identical twin brother) raps the infectious hook. P is spitting, as usual: "The first verse is the worst, like why the fuck they call you Jesus Price, nigga? And you curse in church." Buckshot also spits flames: "Ill reflections are protecting ya face, bitches tucking in they necklace when I step in the place." Ruste Juxx, who I maintain is one of the most overlooked artists out there, unfortunately doesn't rap anything worth remembering.
5. StopThis is the first of many Khrysis beats on the album, and being that Khrysis is my favorite producer not named Hi-Tek, I was salivating all over this one before I even listened. That said, this isn't one of Khrysis' better productions, and Sean Price's rhyme scheme is a little awkward and unorthodox here. This is not one of the better cuts on the record. That's not to say it's bad, because it isn't, but it's not up to par with the rest of Jesus Price Supastar.
6. ViolentThe second of four 9th Wonder beats on the album, "Violent" is smooth to the point where it's almost disturbing, and Sean Price does his usual thing where he puts together phrases that would normally make absolutely no sense but, for some reason, are perfectly coherent thoughts to his listeners: "Timberland boots I got stomp out your grill, Sean Price, the nicest nigga in Brownsville, word bond, y'all niggaz can't rap worth a damn, the nine burst blam and earthslam your fam."
7. Da God"Da God" is another 10 For The Triad track, and although it's simplistic, it's a strong record. Buckshot spits the chorus and Sadat X stops by to rap a verse, but it's Sean P that gets the listener's attention: "Don't try to get deep with the god, don't try to conversate 'n hold hands down the street with the god." Only one thing about those two bars (and this song in general) bothers me: how many times are people going to use "conversate" in a sentence until they realize it isn't a word? That said, who am I to question Sean Price?
8. Oops Upside Your HeadIf you hadn't already noticed, I'm a huge Sean Price fan, but I have to be painfully honest here: this song is terrible. The beat does nothing for me, and P sounds very out of his element, as does Steele of Smif-N-Wessun who drops in.
9. ChurchThis must be the part of the album where Sean Price just said, "You know what, I don't care about tracks eight or nine; just throw whatever on there," because "Church" isn't any better than "Oops Upside Your Head." Interestingly enough, too, the hook on "Church" actually includes the phrase "oops upside your head." I'm not even gonna ask.
10. King KongPhew. Just when it looked like Jesus Price Supastar was taking a horribly bad turn for the worse, Khrysis saves the day with "King Kong." The beat BANGS, Rock drops a sick hook, and Sean P is at his best: "If ya, knock on my door I'm cockin the four, free to escape from the law like Assata Shakur, for a dime a tack you can put your cock in a whore, kinda worse when you rockin on tour, listen." Now we're back on track.
11. OneAnd Khrysis delivers yet again. The only beef that I have with "One" is that it's too short, clocking in at one minute and fifty-two seconds. That aside, Sean Price eats this sick beat alive: "Listen, Sean Price the name, you kinda nice but we not the same, so I copped the Range, then I copped the chain, now the cops in range." Definitely one of the album's strongest tracks.
12. You Already KnowBack to 9th Wonder, who helps create the best song on the album. "You Already Know" features Skyzoo, who drops one of the illest hooks I have ever heard here. There isn't much to it, but Skyzoo's voice and delivery make you want to rewind the hook again and again. Unfortunately, "Big 'Zoo," as Sean P calls him, doesn't have a verse, but no matter, as P just kills this: "Yo it's my time to shine, you had your turn you lost, hate to hear the truth then turn the shit off, motherfucker."
13. Directors CutWhat's with the under-two-minute beats by Khrysis? "Director's Cut" spans one minute and twenty seconds, and while the instrumental is hot, it sounds a little too familiar to "Violent" for my liking. There really isn't much else to say about this one.
14. Let It Be KnownThis is the final 9th Wonder beat, and it's easily the weakest of the four tracks he produced on the album. Phonte makes an appearance here, but the production is just too dull for him to shine (I will admit that the kick drums are nice, though).
15. Hearing Aid"Hearing Aid" wraps up Khrysis' production on Jesus Price Supastar, and Khrysis goes out with a bang, as this track knocks. Chaundon, one of my favorite MCs, joins Sean Price and spits some impressive bars: "People, listen I'm a nasty muh'fucker, stickin dick to a broad same age as your mother." Fortunately, it looks like the album is finishing on a good note.
16. Mess You MadeThis sounds like a 9th Wonder beat, but it isn't. A producer by the name of Masse laid out this instrumental for P, and it's definitely worth receiving significant rotation on your iPod. Sean Price re-adopts his "brokest rapper you know" persona here: "My man said he heard me on Mister Cee, yeah that's cool but it don't equal chips to P, the brokest rapper you know sell crack after the show, with a fo'-fo' that'll blow back half your fro." Great way to end the album.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
While Jesus Price Supastar may not match the unquestioned ferocity and hard-hitting nature of Monkey Barz, it is still an outstanding album worth adding to your collection. Sean Price reaffirms the fact that he is one of the best MCs doing it, as he rips nearly every beat on this record to shreds. It also helps that he is backed by The Justus League, home to one of the best production teams in the business (consisting of 9th Wonder, Khrysis, and Illmind).
There is one thing that irks me about each of Sean Price's first two albums, though, and it is that Da Beatminerz, who orchestrated Nocturnal and the good majority of the Boot Camp Clik's most classic albums, are absent from both of them. I'm not complaining about the production in general, because I believe that the production on Monkey Barz was essentially flawless and that it followed a similar trend (although not on the same level) on Jesus Price Supastar, but it's just not the same without Baby Paul, DJ Evil Dee, and Mr. Walt on the boards.
That one issue aside, Jesus Price Supastar is an incredible album overall and is certainly deserving of your purchase (please buy this rather than rip it, as rappers like Sean P deserve your money).
TOP FIVE TRACKS:
1. You Already Know
2. King Kong
3. P-Body
4. One
5. Like You
SKIPPABLE TRACKS:
Oops Upside Your Head
Church
