We here at nappyafro are a family and when I got word that my bro KAJ wouldn’t be able to get the album review in for The Alchemist’s Chemical Warfare album, I didn’t mind stepping in and supporting my fam (that’s what we do!). This was one of the most recent albums that I was anticipating its release and sure enough on July 7 I picked up my copy. With it being five years since Alchemist’s debut release 1st Infantry back in 2004, many wonder with this album if he could continue the success that he saw on his first album. Let’s see how The Alchemist fares this time around on his second war-themed album.

1. Intro
Produced by The Alchemist
With a dark piano driven beat, Alchemist uses this quick introduction track to let the listeners know exactly what they are about to hear with this album. Various news audio clips play throughout this track with the album title/theme mentioned, which further sets the tone for the rest of the songs to follow.

2. ALC Theme
Featuring Kool G Rap; Produced by The Alchemist
Alchemist opens the album with his theme song if you will, which features Hip-Hop legend Kool G Rap trading bars with him over a synth heavy pounding beat that has listeners traveling back to Alc in his earlier days behind the boards. While he’s definitely not one of the best producers behind the mic, Alchemist holds his own and allows G Rap to shine with his braggadocio gutter verse.

3. Lose Your Life
Featuring Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss & Pusha T; Produced by The Alchemist
If you’re a fan of Alchemist and follow his music then you should be familiar with this track as it was previously featured on Alchemist’s EP The Alchemist’s Cookbook along with an interesting accompanying music video for it (check it out if you haven’t already). It’s with good understanding why Alchemist decided to include this track on the album as well as he produces dark and mysterious sounding beat for Jada and Pusha to deliver stellar verses on. Snoop provides the chorus only on this beat and leaves room for the other two emcees to shine as they do with lines like: (Jadakiss) “Twenty little missiles in the clip of the five-seven/I’m like navigation if you tryin’ to find heaven… (Pusha T) “Billie Jean step over the track ‘til it’s glowin’/You’re thinking I’m the O-N/E, metaphors are no win/Avalanche P push powder ‘til you’re snowed in, no end”. This proves to be one of the best tracks on the album (despite the unnecessary skits at the end of songs throughout the album…artists need to stop including these on albums, PLEASE!)

4. Chemical Warfare
Featuring Eminem; Produced by The Alchemist
I remember when I heard about this track being featured on this album and everybody was really excited to hear an Eminem collaboration track with Alchemist, but the expectations proved to be too high after listening to it. Alchemist produces a slow tempo beat that suits Em’s style as he delivers his trademark rhymes over various things from Sarah Palin to the Octomom to the Jonas Brothers before abruptly ending his verse asking if he rhymed Octomom twice in the same rap (yeah you did Em…what’s going on Marshall??). Like I said, this song/collaboration was highly anticipating but fails to deliver the superior results that everyone was expecting to hear (better luck next time).

5. Grand Concourse Benches
Featuring KRS-One; Produced by The Alchemist
Of course you know Alchemist had to stay true to his underground roots and bring the only and one KRS-One aboard to satisfy the real Hip-Hop heads. Alchemist produces a bouncy piano beat for KRS-One to deliver rhymes and drop knowledge as only he knows how. The only thing that I’m really not feeling about this track is the chorus that KRS provides, but other than that it’s a pretty solid track overall. The skit that follows this track that features the backpackers and the street cats giving their respective thoughts about Alchemist’s beats and production comes off funny compared to the other unnecessary skits on the album.

6. Therapy
Featuring Evidence, Blu, Talib Kweli & Kid Cudi; Produced by The Alchemist
This track happens to be one of the other tracks that were previously heard on Alchemist’s EP The Alchemist’s Cookbook and it fits in nicely with the rest of the tracks on the album. Properly titled, the relaxing beat produced by Alc provides therapy to the listeners’ ears as stated in the chorus provided by Kid Cudi (didn’t see that feature coming on an Alchemist album). Evidence, Blu, and Talib each deliver some nice rhymes that fit comfortably over Alchemist’s beat.

7. That’ll Work
Featuring Three 6 Mafia & Juvenile; Produced by The Alchemist
When a lot of people saw this track they probably thought their eyes were playing tricks on them but don’t be fooled into thinking this is a bad track because of The Alchemist’s pairing with Three 6 Mafia and Juvenile because you’d be very wrong. Alchemist isn’t known for producing Southern style beat as it contrasts his New York sounding production, but Alc shows that he’s diverse behind the boards. Three 6 Mafia sound at home on this track as the beat seems catered to their style and sound, but it’s Juve who goes in lyrically on this track (hopefully some new Juve is in the works…it’s been 3 years long enough since Reality Check). If anyone was doubting Alchemist’s skills as a producer before this track thinking that he couldn’t fit with the South, this is their wake up call (the snooze button is broke!).

8. Smile
Featuring Maxwell & Twista; Produced by The Alchemist
This track was the first single for the album with a great music video to go along with it. Alchemist produces a very uplifting beat that allows him to talk about his ups and downs and being able to smile throughout the hardships. Twista joins Alc on the track along with unexpected collaborator Maxwell who takes the track to the next level. Maxwell’s vocals fit nicely over Alchemist’s beat and Twista takes it back to his Tung Twista days during his verse as he displays to the listeners why he was once listed as the fastest emcee in the Guinness Book of World Records. Alchemist couldn’t go wrong in selecting this track as a single for the album and showing how easily he can switch his style up to match any artists’ style.

9. Keep The Heels On
Featuring Prodigy; Produced by The Alchemist
Definitely not your usual ladies track but it is coming from Alchemist and Prodigy (what you though Alc was coming with some soft shit??). Prodigy gets busy (no pun intended) on this menacing Alchemist produced track telling you about how he wants his chick to keep her heels on while it’s goin’ down. There’s not really much else to this track other than what’s expected and the pairing of Alchemist and Prodigy fits so well as usual (read: Return Of The Mac).

10. Acts Of Violence
Featuring Gangrene (Oh No & Alchemist); Produced by The Alchemist
The group known as Gangrene (Alchemist and Madlib’s younger brother Oh No) gives you an example of what you can expect to hear on their collaborative album. From the sounds of this track there is some good music to be heard when that album is released. Alchemist produces a hard-hitting beat that sees him and Oh No spittin’ lyrical bars with ease at the same time displaying their collective chemistry.

11. Lights, Camera Action
Featuring Lil’ Fame; Produced by The Alchemist
When you saw Lil’ Fame of M.O.P. featured on the track you should have already know what to expect and it’s nothing less than expected (other than the track being too short). Alchemist provides Fame with a suitable hard-hitting beat that fits his style with ease as he delivers the trademark lyrics you’re used to hearing from him. As I said the only problem with this track is that it’s too short at only 1:40 and it heads to the next track right as you’re getting into it.

12. Some Gangster Shit
Featuring Fabolous; Produced by The Alchemist
Unfortunately this track falls victim to the same fate as the previous track in being too short for such a great track. Alchemist’s sinister production on this track is a great fit for Fabolous to drop some “gangster shit” in this metaphoric verse with lines like: “Maybe I should just press charges for swagger theft/You faggots deaf if you can’t hear I’m hot as dragon’s breath/Naw I’m past hot, I’m the sun’s mascot/With stacks on deck I’m at yo neck like an ascot”. This track sounds like one that should have been included on Fabolous’ Loso’s Way album as it fits the tone and feel of what he was going for with it. This is one track on the album that needed to be longer than the 2:00 it was.

13. On Sight
Featuring Dogg Pound & Lady of Rage; Produced by The Alchemist
Just as he showed you on his track for the South, Alchemist shows some love to his hometown on the left coast with this West Coast feature. The beat produced by Alchemist with its synths sounds a bit generic and average for a producer of his skill level while the Dogg Pound and Lady of Rage deliver quality verses on the mic. Despite some good verses from the guests featured, this track comes off sounding average compared to some of the other stellar tracks on the album.

14. Take A Look Back
Produced by The Alchemist
This track serves as Alchemist’s lone track on the album where he takes time to reflect his life in his lyrics and talk about all of the things that he had to go through to become the respected music producer that he is today. Listening to this track along with watching the recent YouTube video of Alchemist producing beats during his college years make you really see how far Alchemist has come as a producer from his early days with The Soul Assassins and Dilated Peoples.

15. Under Siege
Produced by Oh No
Alchemist ends of the album with another preview of what’s to come from the pairing of Alc and Oh No as Gangrene with Oh No providing the production this time around. He doesn’t disappoint with the production either as he produces a bumping guitar driven beat that he and Alchemist get lyrical over. Oh No drops a nice verse but surprisingly Alc does him one better with lyrics like: “On some Steven Segal shit, salmonella chicken I’m kickin’ that raw shit/For practice, so when you snack on this you get nauseous” (damn Alc!). That Gangrene album is sounding better and better just from their two tracks together on this album.

Bottom Line:
So what’s the verdict after 15 tracks from The Alchemist…a very solid album! Not to be outdone by his great debut album 1st Infantry, Alchemist delivers some memorable tracks like “Smile” and “Lose Your Life” as well as some strong cuts like “Some Gangster Shit” and “Therapy” (“Keys To The City” should have been included on this album). But at the same time there are some tracks on this album like “Chemical Warfare” and “On Sight” that hold it back from being a stronger album. There are plenty of good tracks to be heard on this album and the listening experience proves to be an enjoyable one especially if you’re a fan of Alchemist and his work. Listening to Alchemist’s production style over the course five years you can tell the change as he displays more experimental/synth heavy beats than the soulful sounding ones that were once heard from him. In the end this album doesn’t see better results than 1st Infantry, which had so many great songs (“Hold You Down”, “Dead Bodies”, “Essence”, “Tick Tock”), but it does show Alchemist’s growth and progress in the five years since. In the time since then Alchemist has become one of the best producers in Hip-Hop and the go to guy behind the boards for some of your favorite artists like Lil’ Wayne, Fabolous, Slaughterhouse, Jadakiss and more. With the hard work and dedication that Alchemist has been putting in for years it’s a position that is well earned and well deserved. If you’ve been a fan of Alchemist you won’t be disappointed with this album and if you’re not take a listen and realize that he’s probably been one of your favorite producers for a while now.

nappyPicks: “Lose Your Life”, “Therapy”, “Smile”, “Some Gangster Shit”, “That’ll Work”, “Acts Of Violence”, “Take A Look Back”, “Under Siege”

Download: The Alchemist – “Lose Your Life”

Just as H2O mentioned in his Classic Material write up for De La Soul’s classic De La Soul Is Dead album in that no De La Soul album had been previously selected for the column, the same can be said about Mobb Deep. Searching back from the start of the Classic Material column, no Mobb Deep albums are to be found and a column as prestige wouldn’t be complete without at least one. That’s where Mobb Deep’s second album The Infamous comes into play and fits perfectly among the previously selected albums. 1995 in the Hip-Hop world featured a lot of classic album releases (Liquid Swords, Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, Livestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous, Only Built For Cuban Linx, Doe Or Die…) and this album can be included in that listing.

The public knew little about the duo of Havoc and Prodigy from Queens after their debut album Juvenile Hell was released two years earlier in 1993, but that would all change after the second album release. What was minimally achieved on their debut album would be the strongest point of their second album, and that was Havoc and Prodigy giving the listener a vivid portrayal and description of their dwelling in Queens. A dark and sinister mood is provided with tracks “Shook Ones, Pt. II”, “Survival Of The Fittest”, and “Eye For An Eye (Your Beef Is Mines)” that take you into the depths of the street life and its daily operations filled with drugs, violence, and ultimately survival. Other than Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) released two years prior, no other album was delivered with such a dark theme and presence about it.

Throughout the album Mobb Deep deliver lyrics spanning a range of topics such as prison (“Up North Trip”), setup (“Trife Life”), fake gangsters/crooks (“Shook Ones, Pt. II”), drinking (“Drink The Pain Away”), and survival (“Survival Of The Fittest”). The songs on this album flow smoothly from one to the next because of the unified production provided by producers Havoc and Q-Tip. As mention previously pertaining to Common’s Resurrection album, it’s this type of unity in both the production and lyrics that allows the album to fit together so precise. This is one major aspect that is missing from a lot of Hip-Hop/Rap albums released nowadays and is really only achieved by working with only one or two producers throughout the entire project. This album can be acknowledged for producing one of the greatest songs in Hip-Hop history in terms of “Shook Ones, Pt. II”. From the subtle instrumental build up at the start of this song it is instantly recognized and Mobb Deep’s lyrics make it complete (it’s no wonder Eminem selected this track for the final freestyle battle scene in 8 Mile). You can be the most humble person in the world, but there’s no denying that the menacing piano keys and pounding drums will stir up feelings of aggression and anger while listening.

For the most part that is what makes this album such a classic 14 years later and why it hasn’t been duplicated by Mobb Deep five album releases later. With this album Mobb Deep brought you into their world and introduced you to their way of living. If you never lived and/or grew up in the hood you got a taste and feeling of the life just from listening to this album, and if you did you were just able to relate with this album and its content even more. Ultimately The Infamous expounded upon Nas’ lyrical storytelling and vivid depictions on Illmatic and presented you with the 41st Side version (read: dark/gritty) of Queens that wasn’t seen with its pioneers Marley Marl, MC Shan, and others.

By now, you have probably heard The Game go at Jay-Z pretty hard in a freestyle in Madrid, Spain..if not, check out the video. The Game taking shots at Jigga isn’t a new thing, he does it from time to time, but ALWAYS takes it back after throwing a jab or two. So with this latest attack I am skeptical about drinking the kool-aid. Let’s face it, the Game can match bars with Jay. There is no question about that, if you deny it, you are lying to yourself. If Game would go at Jay with the same tenacity that he went at Bleek, Budden, Ja, and 50 with, he might can lay the old man down. The time is now, Jay is ripe for the picking. It is time for one of these new school cats challenge Jay and win. The Game might be the one to do it. The old guard must pass it on to the next generation.

My questions to Game: ARE YOU FOR REAL THIS TIME? By the time I post this I hope you have not  issued an apology and said that you was just playing to the crowd and didn’t really mean it. You did call out the man wife..so I’m expecting Jay to really have something for your ass in the next week or so. BE READY. Second question: WHY DO YOU DO MOST OF YOUR DISSES OVERSEAS? What’s up with that? You talking greasy in Europe, but when you get back stateside, you make it seem like you was just “messing around”. When you get back home, can we expect more disses?

So Game, if you are going to do it…GO ALL THE WAY IN. (PAUSE) Make history, this could be one of the best lyrical battles in a minute. Do it for all those that came before you but came up short. Do it for Jaz-O, who simply was upset because the dude he brought in the game became WAY more successful than him. Do it for Prodigy, while I know you and him aren’t like that anymore, but do it because he put pictures of a “gangsta” rapper in a ballerina suit. Do it for Nas, who was involved in a CLASSIC battle with Jigga,and (depending on who you ask) beat him and to turn around and kiss his ring like Superman did Lord Zod and WORK for him! Do it for Dame. No explanation needed on this one.

I would love to see these two go back and forth..could be EPIC, as long as The Game is serious and Jay takes the bait. WE SHALL SEE!

Download: The Game – “I’m So Wavy”

Download: The Alchemist – “Hold You Down”

Outside of the Bay area in California, there may not be a lot of people that know about Keak Da Sneak or his music. The ones that do know about him is most likely from the commercial recognition he received the single “Tell Me When To Go” off E-40’s album My Ghetto Report Card back in 2006. It’s been two years since then, and I can’t say that Keak is more known now than he was before that single. Regardless, Keak is back with another album in 2008 entitled Deified. Will this be the album that makes Keak more known to listeners and fans alike or will it just be another release that goes unnoticed?

Intro
This is pretty much your typical “Intro” found on most rap albums with Keak Da Sneak talking and introducing himself over a beat. There’s really no need for this track on the album as it’s pretty much pointless. Plus, I can’t understand a word that Keak is saying because of his unusual vocal tone.

19 Dummy
Featuring Daz Dillinger
This track starts of with some west coast sounding production that fits well seeing that Keak is from the Bay area. Keak’s strange vocal tone makes it really difficult to understand what he’s saying over the track. Daz Dillinger is heard clearly over the beat and spit some average lyrics. He sounds comfortable over a track like this and does this track some justice.

Quarterbacking
Featuring The Jacka
If there’s one thing about the Bay, it’s that they are keen for creating terms that become popular and a part of everyday language. The term and song title “quarterbacking” might just be one of those terms that starts getting used more. Some heavy synthesized production is hear on this track that suits Keak and The Jacka’s lyrics nicely as they spit about rideing about with that 8-ball. This song is for the hustlers getting their “Petyon Manning” or “Tom Brady” on with that “ball” (8-ball).

That Go (remix)
Featuring Prodigy & The Alchemist
This is the first single off the album and a nice selection at that. This track features some very nice beat production that is straight bangin’. While Keak does his thing with the lyics, this tracks sounds more suited for Prodidy and The Alchemist as they ride the beat comfortably and sound more at home with it. This is one of the best tracks on the album so far.

All I Know
Featuring E-40 & Clyde Carson
Immediately following that track we’re right back with some hyphy sounding production that is sure to make those in the Bay get their hyphy on. This song has the potential to be the next single for this album if it has one. E-40, who has one of the most unorthodox flows in the rap game, spits some lyrics that are fitting to the track. Clyde Carson does a decent job with the rhymes he spits on the third verse.

Stunna
Featuring Lil’ Keke
The production on this track sounds like a blend of elements from the west coast and dirty south, which works in a way. This track is nothing much different than what’s heard in many rap songs today about being a stunner and having that dough. Keak and Lil’ Keke spit some average lyrics on this track, nothing really special from either one.

Hard Tops & Drops
Featuring Paul Wall & Scoot
The production supplied for this track is pretty nice, as it has that bounce that keeps this song moving and flowing. All three emcees did a good job on this track and sound like a fit with the production. Not much really wrong with this track, it’s one that people might enjoy greatly on this album.

Blurpt
Some pretty weird and bizarre production featured on this song with a lot of strange sounds and synths making up the composition. I have no idea what the song title or topic means with the word “blurpt”. Keak isn’t really saying much of anything on this song to really catch my attention, so this song would be a skip for me.

X2
Again we have another track with a lot of synthesizers and weird sounds making up the beat. This song, along with some others that have been heard are starting to sound the same, thus my interest is being lost with this album at nine songs into it. This track is similar to the previous one in that Keak isn’t really catching my attention with what he’s saying.

Nothing Without You
Featuring Messy Marv & Matt Blaque
As usual, no rap album can be complete nowadays without having a song for the ladies or dealing with relationships and this is that song for this album. The production on this song fits with for the type of song it is, but the same can’t be said about Keak on this song. His voice makes this song absolutely not work at all for him and he really sounds out of place on it. The hook works well on this song and makes it have more of an R&B feel and sounds like something that shouldn’t be on this album.

Oakland
Featuring Mistah F.A.B.
This is Keak Da Sneak’s song for his hometown of Oakland, and while the production on this song is nice, I was expecting something much harder with a west coast feel to it. This song is fair for what it is, but it’s not anything too special or amazing. Keak and Mistah F.A.B. do a decent job with the rhymes from them on this song.

Ass Chauffeur
This track has both some decent production and lyrics, but I can’t really get with it in being interested in the song. The hook on this song is pretty weak and that really sums up this track as a whole in it being an average song. This song is a skip for me and won’t be getting much play.

Playa Like Me
Featuring Too Short & Celly Cell
Another track with some average sounding production on a song about being players and pimping. Out of the three emcees featured on this song, Too Short comes out having the best verse and sounding the best/most comfortable on the track. Nothing really special about this track, as it has been done plenty of times before and much better than this.

N Fronta Ya Mama House
This track sees us getting back to some true west coast sounding production that fits Keak much better than the other types of production that have been featured on this album. With this said, the production is still a bit average sounding and doesn’t sound like it took much to compose. Once again Keak spits some average lyrics on this track that don’t really grab my attention.

Go Dumb Go Stupid
We are met with some straight hyphy sounding production on this track on a song that really has no meaning or purpose. This song is pretty much described in the title, as it’s both dumb and stupid. This song gets a skip from me, as it makes me feel that I’m going to go dumb and stupid if I keep listening to songs like this.

Going Going Gone
The production on this track features some more of the west coast/dirty south sounds that we heard earlier in the album. I’ll admit that this song does has a bounce and catchy feel to it, but that’s about it as this song features some decent rhyming from Keak.

Stock With Game
This track features some different sounding production that still contains that west coast sound and feel. Much like the previous track, the beat has that bounce to it, but it comes off as just an average song that sounds very similar to a lot of other songs on the album.

Her Name
This song features some nice production on a track about Keak trying to get at the ladies but he doesn’t know their name. It’s funny that this song is about that because the chicks probably don’t know his name either, so it’s a two-way issue. I’m not really feeling this track too much and will not probably be listening to it that much. Nice try Keak, but Alica Keys already did this song (“You Don’t Know My Name”) and did it much better.

I Get It In
Featuring Chops, Bra Heff, & San Quinn
This track features some of the most lively and active production, and it’s pretty good. The beat on this track is a nice change of pace to the album and is refreshing. Even though the beat is good, I can’t say the same thing about the emcees that are featured on the track. They all spit some decent rhymes that aren’t really anything to take notice of.

Who Started This
This is another track with the west coast/dirty south feel to it that sounds nice. Keak spits some average rhymes on this track and that makes it just an okay song.

Drop It On Tha 1
Featuring Lil’ Retro & Yaberation
Some different type of production featured on this song, but once again Keak isn’t spitting anything out of the ordinary that you’re used to hearing from him. Lil Retro (wtf – the name?) and Yaberation (again, wtf with the name) spit some decent rhymes alongside Keak’s.

On Citas
Featuring Paul Wall & Chingo Bling
This track features some nice production with Paul Wall outshining both Keak and Chingo Bling on this track. This track is nothing really different as we have heard a track similar to this earlier in the album.

Super Hyphy
As stated by the song title, this track is strictly made for the hyphy fans. This production on this track is fitting for the type of song it is and is sure to have hyphy fans getting their dance on. This track has the potential to be a future single and I don’t know why it was placed as the last track on the album. It should have been placed much earlier in the album.

Bottom Line:
My final thoughts on this album are pretty simple…it’s too damn long. At 23 total tracks, this album wears the listener down pretty quickly as most of the songs start sounding the same with similar beat productions and mediocre lyrics throughout. This single album is about the same length as a double album, and an album of this quality really doesn’t need to be that long at all. I started losing interest in this album very early on in listening to it and it being so long didn’t really keep me interested; it had me wondering when the end was gonna come. Other than the album’s length, Keak Da Sneak’s voice really made this album difficult to listen to and follow. I could barely understand what he was rapping on most of the tracks and his annoying voice didn’t want to make me keep listening. With a voice like that, it’s better for him to keep his albums short in length to possible keep the listener’s attention. There was really only one song that I liked a lot on this album in “That Go (remix)” as many other the other tracks were either average or poor. I think that this is an album that only hardcore Keak Da Sneak fans will enjoy, and it might garner some new fans that haven’t listened to Keak before. This isn’t an album I would recommend purchasing, it’s probably better to buy select tracks from it off iTunes or something.

nappyPicks: “That Go (remix)”, “All I Know”, & “Super Hyphy”

Download: Keak Da Sneak feat. Prodigy & The Alchemist – “That Go (remix)”

With Prodigy off the scene currently serving a three-year bid for gun charges, one half of Mobb Deep decided to leave us with an album to bump while he’s doing his time. Being eight years since he released H.N.I.C. back in 2000, does Prodigy still hold claim to the title of being the “Head Nigga In Charge” or is just another nigga serving in the game.

Real Power Is People
Produced by Sid Roams
Prodigy comes out the gate with a straight banger on the opening track. The beat is definitely knockin’ and Prodigy’s lyrics are on point. G.O.D. = Gold, Oil, Drugs (That’s some interesting shit). Prodigy is off to a good start on Part 2.

The Life
Produced by The Alchemist
Prodigy hooks up with a familiar contact in The Alchemist for a beat on this track. The track is grimy with that signature Alchemist sound that fits Mobb Deep so well, so Prodigy is right at home on this one. This track kind of lost some of the album’s energy from the first track though.

Young Veterans
Produced by The Alchemist
On another track provided by Alchemist (he produces five on this album), Prodigy comes correct over a nicely sampled beat. This track picks back up the album’s pace where the first track left off at. Nice track by Prodigy.

Illuminati
Produced by The Alchemist
We have yet another track by Alchemist as he delivers three in a row for Prodigy. While the first two tracks from Alchemist fit Prodigy and the mood of the album, this one is far left. Prodigy sounds decent over this track but it doesn’t really fit together. He should have given P something much darker for this track to fit the track title and the way Prodigy was trying to go. He should have sampled the chorus as well from his verse on “I Shot Ya”, it would have sounded much better. This track is a SKIP.

New Yitty
Produced by Sid Roams
Now this is what I’m talking about. Sid Roams put us back in that grimy mood for the album with this track he produced. Sid Roams is a familiar one on this album with Alchemist, as he produces 5 tracks as well. Prodigy fits comfortably spitting rhymes over this beat as it flows very well. P fell off for a minute but he’s back on track with this one.

ABC
Produced by Sid Roams
Prodigy keeps it going and continues where he left of with the previous track. Another track from Sid Roams that fits P nicely. The only thing that I don’t like about this track is the weak chorus (“A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P…”). Come on P, you must come more creative than some shit like that. Other than that this is a decent track from Prodigy.

Click Clack
Featuring Big Twinz; Produced by Sid Roams
DAMN! Now Sid Roams really came correct with the ill beat that he provided on this track. The smooth track is still gritty enough for Prodigy and the featured Big Twinz to do work. This track is definitely on repeat and goes hard. This track is perfect for late nights ridin’ in the whip. This album would have been near classic with more tracks and beats like this one.

Veteran’s Memorial Part II
Produced by The Alchemist
Alchemist brings it back to where it belongs in terms of the beat after his misstep on “Illuminati”. Prodigy’s lyrics go good with the beat as he does some reminiscing about his homies that have passed on but wishes they were back with him. This is a nice track that does its job and serves its purpose in paying respect to those gone on.

Field Marshall P
Featuring Un Pacino; Produced by Havoc
Finally we get a track produced by Prodigy’s partner in crime and other half, Havoc. Havoc hooks up a good beat that goes well with Prodigy and Un Pacino’s lyrics, but the beat gets monotonous after a while. This causes the song to become somewhat boring after a while. The skip button will probably be hit before you get to Un Pacino’s verse. This is a decent track.

3 Stacks
Featuring Big Twinz; Produced by Sid Roams
Prodigy brings back in the Big Twinz for another Sid Roams produced track. Roams produces a decent beat on this one and it works for the track. This track is average, but doesn’t compare to the “Click Clack” they all were on previously. LOL, it was funny to hear P put his twist on some Biz Markie lyrics in this song though. Y’all Biz fans will know what I’m talking about when you hear them.

When I See You
Produced by Apex
On this track Prodigy gets a beat provided by Apex of “I Get Money” fame. The beat from Apex is pretty average, nothing special like his previous famed work. Prodigy is able to flow comfortably on the track, but he’s not saying much of anything. This track is pretty boring and is a SKIP for me.

It’s Nothing
Featuring Big Noyd; Produced by The Alchemist
On the last beat provided on the album from Alchemist he finishes off strongly on this track. Prodigy takes time to give Big Noyd a spot on the album coming off a good song in “Things Done Changed”. Big Noyd does his thing in kicking off the song, as P comes after him finish the song in good fashion.

I Want Out
Featuring Havoc & Un Pacino; Produced by Havoc
Arriving at the last track of the album, Havoc produced a beat that really fits the only Mobb Deep connection on the entire album. All three emcees spit nice rhymes over the dark track provided by Hav. This is a good track to close out the album.

ABC (Vox Spanish Remix)
Produced by Sid Roams
This is the bonus track on the album in a remix vox Spanish version of “ABC”. The difference between this track and the original version on the album are the Spanish lyrics inserted with Prodigy’s verses. The track isn’t really much different from the original besides that fact as the beat and shitty chorus is still present.

Bottom Line:
This album from Prodigy is ultimately an average release from him in comparison to his past two previous solo releases in H.N.I.C. and Return Of The Mac. This album will definitely hold over hardcore Prodigy fans during his three-year bid until he’s able to record and release some new solo and Mobb Deep material. That’s really the biggest damage with him doing time in jail, knowing that there won’t be any new Mobb Deep material until his release unless they recorded some before he went in. While this album isn’t on the same level as H.N.I.C. with tracks like “Keep It Thoro”, “Can’t Complain”, or “Three”, it does offer some gems to be found within listening. Overall, even though Prodigy initially claimed the “Head Nigga In Charge” title, with him away from the game now there might be a new nigga runnin’ things.

nappy Picks: “Click Clack”, “I Want Out”, “Real Power Is People”, “Veteran’s Memorial Part II”

Download: Prodigy – “Real Power Is People”

Prodigy returns to solo form with the follow up to his respectable H.N.I.C., providing us with Return of the Mac. Prodigy provides the listener with a completely self contained CD devoid of commercial beats and high profile collaborations. The entire soundscape of the CD sounds reminiscent of the glorious mid 90’s New York sound. This may in fact be the albums blessing and curse due to the fact that “real” New York shit isn’t exactly the most popular form of rap these days. Having said that, Prodigy maintains his integrity and represents New York and the lifestyle every second that it’s available to him. Let’s see if his shoulders are strong enough to hold up the New York sound so that the whole world can appreciate it.

1. The Mac Is Back Intro
Completely uninspired and brings nothing to the table artistically or pop culture wise. It’ pretty much a juxtaposition of song references to The Mack.

2. Return of the Mac
Prodigy starts the album representing New York to the fullest with a track that ironically samples Tupac’s voice. Ironic due to the fact that towards the end of his career, Tupac was a west coast representer and a devout enemy of Mobb Deep (Prodigy’s rap group).

3. Stuck On You
One of those clichéd song glorifying money, hoes, guns, etc…. Not much in terms of creativity.

4. Mac 10 Handle
Normally this would be considered a stand out track on the album but it suffers due to the fact that DMX used the exact same beat nine years ago and did a much better song. Despite this, Prodigy does an okay job of providing material to cover the beat with.

5. Down & Out in New York
A 32 second skit (nothing more, nothing less)

6. The Rotten Apple
Another attempt by Prodigy at sharing the pain and desperation of New York’s grime and crime scene. Nothing spectacular, just a semi-documentary view on living in the Rotten Apple.

7. Madge Speaks
Uninspired; really doesn’t add anything to the album in terms of art or creativity. By all means skip it.

8. Take It to the Top
One of the few energetic songs off the album. It does the necessary job of bestowing upon us the typical themes celebrating drugs and violence.

9. P Speaks
Skip it please

10. 7th Heaven
One of the few stand-out tracks from the CD. It’s actually well rounded (nice production/nice lyrics and delivery).

11. Bang on ‘Em
Everything about this song reminds the listener of that grimy, self deprecating production and word play that was birthed around 94′. It provides the listener indirect references to the era that Biggie rapped about being sick of life and wanting to commit suicide on the Ready To Die album.

12. Nickel and a Nail
Another Alchemist produced track. More predictable tough guy talk from Prodigy. What makes that track interesting that it comes from the perspective of the common thug and not the super baller.

13. Legends
One of the better songs of the album. The production, lyrics and delivery make the whole song feel authentic and sincere.

14. Stop Fronting
Another one of those songs where there is an heir of believability to it. It feels like and authentic look into a rapper/celebrities plight. It gives some insight to why they are so jaded.

Bottom Line:
The album is at best in the middle ground of current Hip-Hop offerings. It doesn’t quite hold weight and power in the era of super producers, ego maniacs, pop appeal and soap opera antics. Despite this, if you are looking for some unfiltered Hip-Hop that’s reminiscent of the era when Biggie spit, then this album may be what you need.

nappy Picks: “Return of the Mac”, “Mac 10 Handle”, “7th Heaven”, “Bang On ‘Em”, & “Legends”

Download: Prodigy – “7th Heaven“