Hiphop Tuesday

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Wu, Nas, Mystikal, Jay-Z Unplugged...without getting into throwdown territory, who's picking what up? Where should my $13.99 go?

― Jordan, Tuesday, 18 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

There is: Jay-Z, Mobb Deep, Mystikal, Nas, Master P, Wu-Tang Clan all released this week. Thanks to my wonderful connections within the Dutch music industry :-) I have heard them all, except for the Master P one. Here goes the rating:

Jay-Z, 8/10
Mobb Deep, 6/10
Mystikal, 7/10
Nas, 7/10
Wu-Tang Clan, 9/10.

Jay-Z's MTV Unplugged is like a greatest hits set accompanied by the mighty Roots crew, some great audience participation and Mary J Blige and Pharrell from N*E*R*D pitching in. Mobb Deep's Infamy was not as bad as I had expected but has only one truly great track (Clap). Nas' Stillmatic is a return to form, easily his best since since Illmatic. Some duds midway through keep it from getting 8/10. As for the Wu, they're back as well. (I seem to be one of the few who liked Forever and The W better than their debut, though). Iron Flag has only one bad track, it all sounds terrific, the soul vibes are right-on and Ghostface is yelling at Bin Laden. Plus Flava Flav sits in for the ODB on one track, surely the only person qualified for the job.

― JoB, Tuesday, 18 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Yes y'all...
― Jordan, Tuesday, 18 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

This was my first HTML contribution and I only fucked up at the end. Well done, better next time, etc.
― JoB, Tuesday, 18 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

fix-a- doodle

― Jeff, Tuesday, 18 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

After another listen, I will have to give Nas 8/10 at least. The Flyest is really the only bad song. I even like the one with the Tears For Fears sample! Brrr. On a personal level I enjoy Jay-Z's Unplugged album more, 'cause it's songs you know and love. But Nas is back on top, believe that.

― JoB, Tuesday, 18 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

and Mystikal?

I have been enjoying the Nas as well although the Wu album hasn't really struck me as a spectacular sort of 9/10 album. It somehow plays really straightforward for me. The production values feel recharged (especially after that Digital Bullet) but I'm not sure I like all that brass blaring. As for Jay-Z, it's a nice piece but it's not essential. Best part is where the Roots switch up the breaks on "The Takeover" to the Mobb/Nas tracks.

― Honda, Tuesday, 18 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

and Ghostface is yelling at Bin Laden

Sounds great! Is this the first hip hop commentary on 9/11 etc.? I was going to start a thread on that subject, but I may as well ask the question here.

The Wu LP has been out in Belgium for a few days already, and I was prolly gonna get, but JoB's review clinches it. Thanks.

Is the new Ghostface solo any good?

― Jeff W, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

No Jeff, that would be Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back", unless anyone else has any earlier examples. But "Rules" (the Wu-Tang track in question) is awesome too - I've been trying to write up a comparison piece for the two but it's not quite coming together.

― Tim, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

There's also 911 by Gorillaz + D12 [without Eminem] featuring Terry Hall, which you can hear over at http://www.gorillaz.com/

― JoB, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Silly - like we'd even be acknowledging the existence of Gorillaz at this stage!

Hmm... also does Fred Durst's rap count?

Okay in the history of GOOD hip hop responses to 9/11 we have: 1) Mystikal - Bouncin' Back, and 2) Wu-Tang Clan - Rules

― Tim, Wednesday, 19 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

hiphop 9/11 - i've started a new thread for this.... its here

― gr blog, Wednesday, 26 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.