Reppin’ Brooklyn to the fullest and wearing his hate for rich rappers as a badge of honor, The Madd Rapper is quite frankly hilarious. As the creation and alter ego of producer Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie, The Madd Rapper first got major exposure on the intro of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Kick In The Door” off Life After Death (The best Biggie song of all time in my opinion). He epitomized the hating, strictly east coast rappers that filled the scene at the time of his debut. After popularizing the verb use of “John Blaze”, The Madd Rapper then went on the pop up on most of the then preceding Bad Boy releases via skits and a few rare guest spots here and there with other artists (Who can forget him on the chorus of 50 Cent’s “How To Rob”). He most of the time was accompanied by his partner, The Madd Producer, who also had a lot of hate towards successful producers. This all culminated in the release of his very own album, Tell ‘Em Why You Madd. The album didn’t really live up to standards in way of comedy and beats (D-Dot was on Puffy’s Hitmen crew who had a big hand in the label’s early success). So then, we heard nothing. But then this year, The Madd Rapper started to turn out some new material. He first reappeared on DJ Drama’s official Gangsta Grillz album by way of an interlude. Then he appeared a song of his own called “Brooklyn Lets Go” featuring Brooklyn bred rappers like Red Cafe, Maino, Wais P, Papoose, & Joell Ortiz. The Madd Rapper also recently did a freestyle over Mikey Factz’s “Incredible”, but that really wasn’t notable. So you ask, why all this rambling about a fictional rapper that has received minimal recognition? Well, let me show you…

Download: The Madd Rapper – “Roll With The Cat”

Tell ‘Em Why You Madd (2000)
Yea this was by far the best track of Madd Rapper’s album. The beat, provided by Swizz Beatz (I think), was hot and the lyrics/delivery was surprisingly good. Even though the Madd Rapper creation was basically a big joke he sometimes surprised you with talent: “Crazy Cat, mic or gat/Hoes, I like ‘em phat/Shows I like ‘em pack screaming like Michael Jack/Whether is rolled or inna pipe I’m lighting that/Whether is guns or fistfights we fighting back”.

Download: Jermaine Dupri feat. DMX & The Madd Rapper – “Get Your Shit Right”

Life In 1472 (1998)
This is a really overlooked track. The funny thing here it that DMX was in his prime and surprisingly got outdid by The Madd Rapper. I guess with all of Jermaine Dupri’s flossing and X’s ruggedness, it all looks kinda ridiculous beside Madd Rapper’s funniness: “That’s why my women ain’t dimes/Not even close to 9’s/Sorta like 5 and 6’s with scares and stitches/Type of bitches/That spit in your face like Alomar/Broke hoes without a car/stashing fruit from a salad bar”.

Download: The Madd Rapper On Biggie, Puffy, & Mase

Life After Death (1997), Harlem World (1997), & No Way Out (1997)
At first I was gonna post The Madd Rapper’s verse on Black Rob’s mega remix of “Whoa”. Even though the verse was funny, I thought it would be also good to post some of the earlier Madd Rapper skits off Life After Death, Harlem World, & No Way Out (Especially you youngsters out there). Maybe this time D-Dot should bring The Madd Rapper back on some Gorillaz shit; who knows?

Rewind the clock back ten years and you have C-Murder sitting atop the Hip-Hop world with a platinum solo album, a double platinum album with his brothers in the group TRU. Millions of dollars at his disposal and had the whole world screaming “NO LIMIT SOLDIERS!” Fast forward to real time and what do we have, C-Murder has served a couple of years for an alleged murder that he denied his involvement, the downfall of No Limit Records, and a wedge drove between the once tight knit family. Not is all lost because C-Murder returns to the lab to bring us Screamin 4 Vengeance. It wasn’t too long ago that C-Murder was shooting videos while incarcerated, but now that he’s on the outside, he doesn’t have to worry about that anymore.

Intro
You have Ice-T talking about the mean streets of the N.O. If you haven’t seen the DVD where this came from, you need to check it out.

I Represent
It starts off with a SICK beat that C-Murder gives you some of his gutter rhymes over. This is song is definitely a BANGER! Sounds like the C-Murder that we are used to hearing.

WTRU (Skit)
It is what it is.

Be Fresh
Featuring Detroit
C-Murder ups the tempo on the flow, and surprisingly he rides the beat pretty well. I guess you can call this a club song. Not what you would expect from C-Murder, but it works for him.

Posted On Tha Block (Remix)
Featuring Mia X, Krayzie Bone, & Papoose
Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. Mama Mia returns and shows that she hasn’t lost a step. The song is TIGHT. Pap and Krayzie put up good verses, but I have to say that this was Mia’s song.

Mihita
Featuring Mia X
This is a love song about a pistol. The beat is on point and once again Mia and C hook up to make a good song.

Gangstafied Lyrics
The production on this album continues to be good, and this one is no exception. C-Murder gives us exactly what the title states. Gangsta lyrics and bass pounding beats that C-Murder fans will love.

Streets Keep Callin’
Featuring H Double
C-Murder takes it back to the N.O for this one over a smooth beat that he does damage to. This song is HOT! This takes you back to the 504 Boyz days.

My Set
This is one of those songs that you might hear your local trapper blasting from his car. “I’m up early in the morning with them pigeons, all night I been cookin up in the kitchen!” The beat is simple but it’s so hard.

Beastmode
Featuring Verse, J. Lyric, Sincere Sosa, & Chieffa
The production on this one is awesome. C keeps it coming with the gutter material along with the crew on this one. BANG THIS ONE!

Cuttboyz Anthem
Featuring Cutt Boyz, Verse, Max Minelli, and G. Dinero
C-Murder gets lyrical on this song, but don’t get it twisted, he still brings that cutthroat music that we’ve gotten accustomed to. The production will have you bouncing like its 1998 again.

Freeze (Ice Man)
Featuring Max Minelli
This might be the first slip up on the album. He’s talking about robbing people on this one. I guess you can say this is a soundtrack for robberies. Some might like this one, I don’t.

Down South
Featuring Slim Thug and C-Loc
Slim Thug drops by to drop a verse out on this one and the song is pretty tight. C-Murder continues with the hardcore lyrics, and Slim Thugger and C-Loc put up some decent verses.

Murdaman Dance
If you don’t know what the “Murdaman Dance” is, then you don’t know anything about C-Murder! This is another one when he’s talking greasy over a nice beat. I like this one.

Bottom Line:
Can you knock C-Murder for sticking to what works for him? No. He went back to what works for him, gutter lyrics and pounding beats. I wasn’t looking for him to be as lyrical as his fellow New Orleans native Jay Electronica. C-Murder pulled out the blueprints of what he used to do and went with that. The result was a good album, might not be received by the masses well, but down south the boys will be listening to this one. C-Murder has a cult following similar to that of Soulja Slim, dudes are going to listen to him no matter what. I was surprised that this album was this good.

nappyPicks: “I Represent”, “Posted On Tha Block (remix)”, “Streets Keep Callin”, & “Beastmode”

Download: C-Murder feat. Mia X, Krayzie Bone, & Papoose – “Posted On Tha Block (remix)”

In their upcoming November issue, XXL lists and co-signs Hip-Hop’s Next Superstars or “Leaders of the New School”. While we don’t necessarily agree with the list, everybody got their own opinion right? At least some rappers who aren’t yet that well know got to be on the cover of XXL. But come on, aren’t half of these guys like 30? How long do they think they gonna be rapping? Well, let’s go down the line and look at who made the list.

Saigon

King Jerm: First off all, I see him on TV more than I hear his music. He was on Entourage, The White Rapper Show; has he even released an album yet?
B-Easy: I really pull for Saigon; I was really feeling that Return Of The Yardfather. Even though he has talent I don’t see him blowing up even with the Just Blaze backing. Oh yea, he has a nice punch too.

Plies

K: One more album and he’s done. But that time could be extended by a shooting or an arrest.
B: I don’t really see a future for a 31 year old Trick Daddy clone who appeals to the ladies.

Rich Boy

K: Future?
B: He has a good team behind him; Roc-A-Wear ads, shoe spokesman, and features on other people’s songs. I wouldn’t bet in his favor but he may surprise us.

Lupe Fiasco

K: The skateboard fad was so last year. He never lived up to the buzz.
B: With Kanye’s recent success, the rap game might be getting ready to be flooded with “regular guys” instead of super thugs and pimps. Lupe is already there so he has a chance.

Lil’ Boosie

K: With the money he makes touring, he gonna do pretty good. But musically, I personally can’t listen to him.
B: Besides me not being able to pronounce his name right and the fact that I think he should categorized as “ringtone rap”…uh, I like the “Wipe Me Down” video (It could have been worse!).

Gorilla Zoe

K: Maybe he appeals to the 13-21 crowds, but I love that “Hood Nigga” song.
B: Is he really a “leader of the new school?” I couldn’t point him out in a line up with five white guys.

Joell Ortiz

K: Who is this guy? Is he related to that girl from City High?
B: If he wants an album to come out in the next decade, he’s gotta stop messing with Dr. Dre/Aftermath (Just ask Rakim, Hitman, Six-Two, Brooklyn, G.A.G.E., Eve, etc.)

Crooked I

K: They had to put a dude from the West coast on the list.
B: I hear he freestyles really well, but I think The Game is gonna rule the west for a while.

Papoose

K: I’m scared to diss him cause he Kay Slay’s boy. He can rap, but he ain’t saying nothing.
B: I still don’t buy that he got a $1.5 million record deal. He’s not a bad rapper, just not a million dollar rapper who will sell a lot of records.

Young Dro

K: The only cat I co-sign on the list. The best dude on Grand Hustle and I mean THE BEST (Including T.I.). The only one on the list with a plaque (Gold).
B: I think he has a lot a potential, not leader of the new school potential. I like the way he dress (No homo).

*King Jerm’s Pick: Young Dro
*B-Easy’s Pick: Lupe Fiasco