With love comes jealousy. And a strong rise always leaves room for a rough fall. However, I never understood why Wu-Tang caught such strong hate after Wu-Tang Forever. It may have been over saturation of the market between the highly successful classic 36 Chambers; with the addition of successful solo efforts from the members as well. The concept of a group of strong rappers and producers creating superb group work then boosting their own singles cred was a huge success; a formula still flawed to this day due to ego.

As mentioned though, over saturation led to Wu-Tang only holding to a loyal fanbase; the climate of music and new artists taking the place of the Shaolin street sweepers. But why do people talk about the Wu like they can’t spit or something? 5 albums deep and quality material along the way. But if a good album happens and nobody listens…did it really happen?

There’s your philosophical question for the day, in the spirit of the Shaolin monk.

But it now leads us to Chamber Music, a compilation album endorsed by the Clan, featuring 5 [Inspectah Deck, Ghkostface Killah(!!!), U-God, Raekwon, and RZA] of the standing 8 members of Wu-Tang [We miss you ODB. I like it raaaaaaw too.] with two interesting concepts introduced by lead producer RZA, naturally. The first are features by a who’s who of NY spitters from Havoc of Mobb Deep to M.O.P; adding a fresh sound to the familiar Wu-Tang rhymes and beats we know and love. The second, a very welcome decision, is the use of LIVE instruments from soul band, The Revelations.

Despite the hate they catch, I was quite excited to hear about this release. Does this look to be another quality offering from a group not given enough credit for releasing them, or does this look to be a cash-in on a recognized standard in Hip-Hop? No subtitles for this one, but I’ll make my words clear and true on this.

1. Redemption (Intro)
Produced by The Revelations, Bob Perry, & Noah Rubin
The excerpt for this song makes complete sense when you think about it, featuring a old-time cinema intro for that feel of something epic. Military style drums and strings help set the tone of a disgraced warrior taking his last shot at redeeming the glory of his clan’s name. Beautiful way to set the tone of this album, the intro quite fitting. For those who know the Clan’s history, it resonates.

2. Kill Too Hard
Featuring Inspectah Deck, U-God, & Masta Ace; Produced by Gintas Junusonis & Fizzy Womack
Definitely feeling the beat. Sounds like one that Camp Lo would have hopped on with no question with the old school swag to it. Fortunately, the trio of rhymers know exactly what to do with this. All three move with a pretty brisk pace to the short track, but it’s a great way to start the album on an energized note. This is good ol’ fashioned NY street spit and there isn’t a thing wrong with that. Only gripe would be length, but that’s just nitpicking. Thumbs up.

3. The Abbot (Skit)
Featuring RZA; Produced by The Revelations, Bob Perry, & Noah Rubin
RZA kicks some knowledge in the form of an old Kung-Fu adage about an Abbot. The background music is ominous, another taste of what The Revelations can do. I’m ready to hear them on an actual song at this point. Worth listening to for the message.

4. Harbor Masters
Featuring Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, & AZ; Produced by Andrew Kelley, Noah Rubin, & Fizzy Womack
Enjoying the old school feel of the beats thus far. Nothing terribly complicated, just good drum patterns with the right elements added to keep them moving. Ghostface brings the bravado and wild metaphors, describing a level of lavishness on a Jay-Z level. Deck and AZ also tell tales of rocking the show and all the spoils that come with it. Nice cruising song or just something to vibe to. I can appreciate a track like this, with “swag” tracks that try to do too much. They express that point without all the fat. Frank Lucas style, ya dig?

5. Sheep State
Featuring RZA; Produced by The Revelations, Bob Perry, Noah Rubin
More proverbs from The RZA. Another ominous overlay by the talented Revelations. I wish he’d space these things out though. Especially at the start of the album! Can we hit them over the head with some heat first before all the window dressing? It’s not that he doesn’t have a point to what he’s saying…just very ill-placed.

6. Radiant Jewels
Featuring Raekwon, Cormega, & Sean Price; Produced by Andrew Kelley, Noah Rubin, & Fizzy Womack
Beautiful.

This makes up for that ill-placed skit. In a big way.

Raekwon bursts out the gate with a wonderfully gutter verse. It’s almost impossible for Cormega and Price to catch up, but they show no lack of trying. I cannot express the simple beauty of this beat. Drum pattern and a well placed string set. Classy. A stark contrast to the venomous words laid over it, but it all blends together perfectly.

Easily the best of this album thus far. The song lives up to the title and all parties involved should be proud. Why Raekwon doesn’t get more respect, I’ll never know. His verse alone could stand against the current heavy-hitters.

7. Supreme Architecture
Featuring RZA; Produced by The Revelations, Bob Perry, & Noah Rubin
Another RZA proverb. Another ill-placed time for it. Again, no problem with what he’s saying or what is backgrounding it. It just throws the flow all off. Moving on.

8. Evil Deeds
Featuring Ghostface Killah, RZA, & Havoc of Mobb Deep; Andrew Kelley, Noah Rubin, & Fizzy Womack
This team of Kelley, Rubin, and Womack is a blessing. They have yet to falter on the production and this is another standout. There production is the level of class that Rick Ross was going for in Deeper Than Rap; this team making it seem effortless track after track.

A seductively played piano backs a ominous drum pattern; Killah, RZA, and Havoc digging into a dark place to pull their rhymes, reveling in the sins they’ve committed while reminding you they’d gladly commit more. The piano breakdown mixed with RZA’s hook is also delightful. The track is engrossing and I’m simply amazed at how well they’ve brought this together. This trio of producers need more work and when they get it, they need rappers as skilled as the three that murdered this track. We have another standout.

Props to Havoc for dropping the first GOOD Twitter punch I’ve heard. “I ain’t wit that Twitter shit, nigga’s try to follow me.” Love it.

9. Wise Man
Featuring RZA; Produced by The Revelations, Bob Perry, & Noah Rubin
Copy and paste what I’ve said about these and keep it moving. Geez. We get it. Num-Yo-Ho-Renge-Kyo and all that jazz. More FIYAH please.

10. I Wish You Were Here
Featuring Ghostface Killah & Tre Williams; Produced by Bob Perry & Fizzy Womack
Warning you now, this beat is going to sound like an unfinished version of “I’d Rather Be With You” by Bootsy Collins. That is NOT a bad thing. Tre Williams belts a soulful hook to cater to this throwback; Ghostface’s stream of consciousness flow aiding to tell of a story of love lost. Tre takes the brunt work of the track, but Ghost simply NAILS it for the time he gets. I was NOT expecting a track like this from this album, but I am so pleasantly surprised.

I’m also impressed that rappers try tracks like this and get it ALL wrong. Meanwhile, Starky Love [Ghostface ya’ll, keep up!], Tre, and their producers make this such an easy exercise in spitting your feelings. This album is hitting a block of hot tracks ever since Radiant Jewels and I’m hoping it continues. Another keeper and a go-to for how to do love profession in Hip-Hop RIGHT.

11. Fatal Hesitation
Produced by The Revelations, Bob Perry, & Noah Rubin
The same as the RZA “proverbs” just without RZA and an extended Kung-Fu movie quote. I get the sudden urge to see the Adult Swim blurbs after so many of these. Moving on…

12. Ill Figures
Featuring Raekown, M.O.P., & Kool G Rap; Produced by Fizzy Womack & Josh Werner
Minimalist drums that compound harder where the hook should be. It’s intense, focused, and so are the rappers. It’s a stripped down hustle anthem, but done very well. No hooks from anyone and it backhands you with sudden metaphors and earnest real talk from all three. In a world of over-production, this is definitely refreshing to hear and I only wish it was longer. I definitely wouldn’t skip this and I am enjoying that the album is bucking a lot of hip-hop conventions in everything from layout to production. Another winner as the hot block continues for this album.

13. Free Like ODB
Featuring RZA; Produced by The Revelations, Bob Perry, & Noah Rubin
RZA’s earnest thoughts about ODB set to a crazy drum solo. Of all of these skits like this, this definitely would be the most touching.

14. Sound The Horns
Featuring Inspectah Deck, U-God, & Sadat X; Produced by Andrew Kelley, Noah Rubin, Fizzy Womack, Gintas Janusonis, & Josh Werner
I want to like this beat. I like everything about it but the obnoxious set of horns at the beginning and peak up in the song. You’ll know em’ when you hear em’. Otherwise, we’ve got some good old fashioned up North bragging, boasting, and smack-talking. I can’t say there’s anything bad about the track aside from that horn selection. It’s just a good track.

The problem is, it is merely good compared to so much great before it. Tough listening to this after that nice block of heat prior. On its own merits, perfectly fine; but the placement creates a quick dip for the streak the album is on.

15. Enlightened Status
Featuring RZA; Produced by The Revelations, Bob Perry, & Noah Rubin
I’ll take this time to say, the Revelations should have been used on a track. I feel they’re wasted just doing these skits when I can already think of some awesome ways they could have contributed to the previous tracks. Hell, imagine what they could have crafted left to their own devices? Oh well…you know what happens here. Next.

16. NYC Crack
Featuring RZA & Thea Van Seijen; Produced by RZA, Fizzy Womack, & Andrew Kelley
This would be at home on the Afro Samurai soundtrack I love this track. RZA’s flow is driven and this beat sounds like it was made in another dimension in the best way possible. Van Seijen adds another other-worldly quality to this track, her Dutch wail making for a left field hook the likes of which would be tough to forget. Haunting and a mash of elements that create something worthy of listen after listen. You just need to hear it.

17. One Last Question…
Featuring RZA
10 seconds. Someone asks RZA what type of Buddah he’d be. I would have rather they closed with a song, but oh well.

Bottom Line:
I am simply blown away at the QUALITY of this album. The production is top shelf and layered to give it a sound unique to anything you’d hear out right now. The rappers all bring the heat. Even when one of them outshines everyone else on a track [i.e. Raekown in "Radiant Jewels"] the others still turn in worthy efforts that aren’t phoned in. I listen to this and wonder why Wu-Tang catches the hate they catch. If it weren’t for the average, compared to what else is on display, nature of “Sound The Horns” and the ill-advised placements of the skits, this would be a perfect album that I would defend to the death for a 5 star treatment.

This is an album that was crafted by rappers sure of their skill. No need for over-production, over the top features, or other gimmicks. Listening to it and thinking more about the intro…I wouldn’t be surprised if everybody involved challenges themselves to go above and beyond what everyone was used to. I’m talking for not just the Clan, but Hip-Hop as well. They’ve bent conventions and crafted something daring. For the Wu haters out there; I dare you to deny this offering. It’s a CD that can be learned from and appreciated on many levels and I encourage fans of HIP-HOP to listen it.

The production team of Kelley, Womack, and Rubin deserves major respect for a hell of a coming out party production-wise. RZA, Ghostface, and the like spit as if they were unsigned; hungry to prove themselves. It brings an energy level and mastery of their styles that helps craft something elevated from the usual. No one should be ashamed of their contributions to this album…well…maybe RZA. A SKIT AFTER EVERY SONG MAN?! Geez.

Cut the skits and get straight to the music and you have one of the best albums of this year. I expected good, I was not expecting this. Go out of your way to give this a listen, Wu-Tang fan or not and you will get a glimpse of what skill mixed with sheer creativity can get you. The score would be higher if not for the broken flow due to the skits.

With offerings this good, I hope Wu-Tang lives forever. Haters be damned.

nappyPicks: “Radiant Jewels”, “Evil Deeds”, “NYC Crack”, & “I Wish You Were Here”

Download: Wu-Tang Clan feat. Raekwon, Cormega, & Sean Price – “Radiant Jewels”

Download: Wu-Tang Clan feat. Inspectah Deck, U-God, & Masta Ace – “Kill Too Hard”

People overuse the word “classic” when talking about albums these days. When 14 years can go by and your album is still fresh to every Hip-Hop head, that my friends, is CLASSIC. When your album is referred as “the Purple Tape” you know that is has to be one of Hip-Hop’s greatest masterpieces. I do not care if you like the Wu-Tang or not, you HAVE to like this album.

When Raekwon dropped his “solo” album, the game would not be the same for a while. While this album displayed two of Shaolin’s greatest samurai’s, it also cemented the Wu’s legacy on Hip-Hop. Everybody knew the Wu as a collective was nothing to fuck with, now we knew the Wu was strong enough to go for dolo. This album featured every member of the Wu, and a guest appearance from an up and coming Nas. Raekwon the Chef lived up to the hype giving you top notch lyrics from the POV of a drug kingpin. OB4CL jumpstarted the whole Mafioso/Hip-Hop love affair of the 90’s  and easily is considered the best album that came out of the Wu-Tang camp. RZA’s production was flawless on this album, the rhymes were first class, and the cohesiveness of Ghost and the Chef was remarkable. This album did not just give you razor sharp lyrics; it also gave you some memorable intros and skits. I would be wasting time picking out which songs to highlight THEY ALL ARE GOOD!

Trust me; this is one of those that you have to have in your collection to consider yourself a true HIP-HOP HEAD, its undeniable CLASSIC MATERIAL.

Damn, you know January/February is slow for Hip-Hop when we reviewing anime soundtracks. But hell, it is a Hip-Hop album. There are no scores from the movie either: just short, 45 second skits included in the tracks, so it’s a straight up, no nonsense Hip-Hop album. After The RZA’s last Afro Samurai soundtrack released two years ago, I was disappointed: there were maybe 5 or 6 hot tracks out of a 25 song album. But after hearing some of the tracks off of the new soundtrack, I was hooked. Plus I saw I got some of you guys on the site interested (916-ness has that new avatar, MaCK and Ebb said it was dope, etc.). Let’s see what The RZA put together this time.

Combat
RZA & P. Dot
After a quick introduction from Samuel L. Jackson playing Afro Samurai, the beat drops, and it’s hot. P. Dot’s hook is “So many times I had to sneak up on a nigga with my finger on the trigger like, like I’m pulling out my sword, this is combat man this is war.” That’s too hot!! The RZA also goes in pretty well also, nothing really notable, but at the same nothing bad. This is the song that starts everything off, and it does the job perfectly. They been playing this all on the trailers for a reason: this is the song that got me interested in the soundtrack.

You Already Know
Kool G Rap, Inspectah Deck, & Suga Bang
The RZA pulls out a Caribbean style beat on this one, and man, is it infectious. The hook is kind of weird, but after you hear this song, you’ll be singing it too. Suga Bang’s Caribbean style hook is too good on this. Inspectah Deck and Kool G Rap both turn in respectable verse for a solid song. I’m really feeling this song, can’t believe they didn’t use this in the movie!

Blood Thicker Than Mud “Family Affair”
Reverend William Burk, Sly Stone, & Stone Mecca
This song is kind of a slower rap song, but still hot: “It’s a family affair…” and William Burk turns in some hot verses on this one. Hell, you even got backing vocals and singing from Sly Stone from the famous soul band and Stone Mecca from the last soundtrack. Nice! This wasn’t used in the movie, but I guess that’s alright because I don’t see how it would fit. I’m liking this track, it’s not as good as the last two, but still good.

Whar
RZA, Kool G. Rap, Ghostface Killah, & Tash Mahogany
This song is fire! It’s just 4 minutes of lyrical onslaught on this one. Crazy! Ghostface definitely goes the hardest on this track out of all of them, even though all of them turn in great performances. This definitely a great, standout song on the album, I can’t believe this wasn’t in the movie either! This woulda made it much better.

Girl Samurai Lullaby
Rah Digga & Stone Mecca
This song focuses on the girl samurai of the movie, Sio, voiced by Lucy Liu. Stone Mecca’s crooning on the track sounds perfect for this track. Rah Digga is also coming hard on this; she’s really aggressive for a girl. This was used in the movie and it fit perfectly with the theme, showing Sio as a young girl meeting the teenage Afro Samurai for the first time. A good addition to the soundtrack.

Fight For You
Thea Van Seijin
I forgot to say that the album switches up to R&B a lot of the time. Here you got one of the sickest soul singers out there on a song just pouring her soul on the track. This was also in the movie. Even though it involved the villains from the movie, Sio and Jinnosuke/Kuma, the track displays so much emotion, it really makes you feel what they are going through and why they are doing it. Another great track, not really so much standalone, but it works well in the movie.

Bitch Gonna Get Ya
Rah Digga
Damn! This track is 3 minutes of just straight lyrical assault from Rah Digga. She might be the next Queen of Hip-Hop, no doubt; she just gonna get back onto the scene. Digga continually uses clever couplets to flow from clever punch-line to clever punch-line. This track wasn’t in the movie either, but it definitely shoulda been; Sio is one lethal samurai, and this woulda been perfect for her. But it works as a standalone track, so it’s all good.

Bloody Days Bloody Nights
Thea Van Seijin & Prodigal Sunn
This song shoulda been a LOT longer. It’s really hot, but it’s less than 2 minutes long! Thea delivers an amazing hook over this dark and brooding track. Prodigal Sunn’s rapping is aiight, nothing major, but he doesn’t hurt the song either, so it’s aiight. I think this was in the movie, but I don’t really remember. Either way, this is hot.

Kill Kill Kill
Monk
The hook is kind of a whisper like track: “Kill Kill Kill: Afro Samurai…Die Die Die: Afro Samurai…” Awesome! The track in the back is kind of triumphant, which contrasts with the lyrics, but it’s nice. I liked the way they used it in the movie too: the family members of some of the men Afro killed in the beginning of the movie decided to try to battle him…you can guess the results. This fit with the movie well, I’m feeling it.

Nappy Afro
Boy Jones
Oh snap!! A shoutout to our site? Eh…not quite. I guess every album has to have a dud, and this is it. Boy Jones is going crazy on this one. I can’t believe this one was in the movie but the other ones weren’t! Here’s the hook: “I’m still gettin’ busy with my Nappy Afro/ My, my, my Nappy Afro…” Nah, just ain’t feeling it. I will say this; in the movie it was actually good. The DJ pulls out a Record with the name “Destroy All Afro Samurais” and this is what plays out of the loud speakers while 100s of soldiers attack Afro. Still, this ain’t doing it for me: first dud.

Bloody Samurai
Thea Van Seijin, Black Knights, & Dexter Wiggles
Damn! The RZA knows how to recover from a dud. This song is the shit! Thea killed this hook as usual, putting even more emotion on this track. The Black Knights and Dexter Wiggles jump on this instrumental and absolutely bury it! Did I forget to mention the beat on this is cold as hell? This just might be one of the best songs on the album. Not sure if they put it in the movie, but who cares? Check this out! And by the way, why isn’t Thea on more hooks? Girl can SANG!!

Dead Birds
Shavo Odadijan, Killa Priest, & Prodigal Sunn
This song is pretty hot, but its pretty short. Still, everybody on this track kills it: Shavo’s singing on the hook, not bad, not better than Thea, but still good. Both Killa Priest and Prodigal Sunn are both killing it on the track, I’m liking this a lot. I would bang it more, but it’s really short, so I don’t. This wasn’t in the movie, but whatever, no loss.

Arch Nemesis
Ace & Moe Rock
The song leads off with a quote from Sio: “Do you remember me? I remember you…” Then the two of these dudes go in and turn in solid performances; sometimes I think if The RZA wasn’t so good with beats, I wouldn’t be interested in any of these songs. This wasn’t in the movie, again, no loss. It’s just ok.

Brother’s Keeper
RZA, Infinite, & Reverend William Burk
The RZA comes back to rap on this track, and he and William Burke do a good job with Infinite showing he’s got a good set of pipes. The beat that The RZA turns in here is again consistantly excellent, and I can’t believe this wasn’t in the movie, seeing how Sio is pretty much Jinno/Kuma’s keeper. But I’m not sure how this would fit.

Yellow Jackets
Ace & Moe Rock
The duo makes a quick return for this one. This is a REAL dud. The RZA’s beat takes a bee’s buzzing and tries to make it sound ill, but because it happens at the end of everyline, it just gets annoying and takes away from the lyrics. But the duo isn’t really saying much, so this is a SKIP!

Take The Sword Part III
60 Second Assassin, Leggezin, Crisis, Christbearer, Monk, Tre Irie, Beretta 9, Bobby Digital, & Reverend William Burk
Damn! Look at all the features on this one! Not to mention this track is TEN MINUTES LONG…I’m not gonna lie: it’s ten minutes of straight fire, but its just too much to listen too. How many times are you going to listen to a 10 minute song? Damn…this is another dud because it’s too long. The other “Take the Sword” songs from the last OST were fire and like 3-4 minutes long, and those were like the best tracks off the album. I just can’t listen to this, even though I do like posse-cuts…don’t even ask if they put this on the movie. SKIP!!

Number One Samurai (Afro Season II Outro)
RZA & 9th Prince
This is the song they used to close out the movie; this one was also on the trailers for the DVD releases. The RZA hops on this one with 9th Prince. This song is hot; the beat here is again CRAZY! Even though the hook is simple on this one, it’s tolerable because of the beat. Check this one out, it’s great.

Bottom Line:
The RZA learned from his mistakes last time: don’t put too many R&B tracks on the album, cut the scores off, and put on some real, raw Hip-Hop. I think he accomplished all of those goals on this project. The songs on the album fit for the most part with the movie. You can listen to each one and think of a particular scene from the movie. Overall as soundtracks go, this is hot. You definitely wouldn’t expect this from an anime television show. If you want something hot to bang in your ride or even something slow you can chill to, this has a bit of everything.

nappyPicks: “Combat”, “You Already Know”, “Bloody Samurai”, “Whar”, “Number One Samurai”, & “Kill Kill Kill”

Download: RZA, Kool G. Rap, Ghostface Killah, & Tash Mahogany – “Whar”

Well, I figured if B-Easy could post Kill Bill and all those other weird ass movies, I could put up this. What is it, you ask? I’m not gonna lie: it is an anime from Japan, which means it is (takes deep breath) a cartoon. HOWEVER, I don’t think you will ever see such a badass cartoon in your life. It’s Afro Samurai. It’s rated TV-MA for A LOT of violence (every attack is cutting off someone’s head), language, and some sexual scenes. First off, before you say this has no connect to Hip-Hop at all, check out the names connected to the project: Samuel L. Jackson as Afro Samurai and his best friend/annoyance, Ninja Ninja. And get this…RZA from Wu Tang Clan on the soundtrack. If THAT doesn’t have you interested, here’s the storyline:

In this land, there are only two rules: the #1 warrior is given the powers of a god, and only the #2 can challenge the #1. Afro Samurai’s father was the original #1 before he was killed in a fight with the #2 at the time, Justice. Now, many years later, Afro is the #2 with only one thought on his mind: revenge. With Ninja Ninja, his companion, he travels to Mount Shumi while battling the rogues and bandits after his #2 headband.

Think about it: you’re after ONE man who killed your father right in front of your face, but because of the way the rules work, ANYONE can challenge you. This is the life Afro lives; trust no one, and fight to survive. The show is really short. They only made it five episodes long, so you can easily watch them in an afternoon. This show is amazing, check it out and let me know what you think. Oh, and if you like what you see, they are making a movie based on the show called Afro Samurai: Resurrection, with Samuel L. Jackson and RZA both returning (Coming out Jan. 25th at 10pm EST on Spike). I put a trailer of the movie below so you can see for yourself. Also, they are coming out with a video game for the 360 and the PS3 on Jan 27th, so check those out (And then there’s the soundtrack for Afro Samurai: Resurrection, but that’s another post…). Peace!

Episode One

Episode Two

Episode Three

Episode Four

Episode Five

Afro Samurai: Resurrection (Trailer)

Yeah, you on the right site. Question: What do you do when you have to an hour & 1/2 drive ahead of you but you also have to make a Friday Night ‘Fro post? I’d put up one of my all time favorites: Kill Bill. These 2 movies combines some of my favorite things (Karate flicks, anime, Hip-Hop inspired soundtracks, women fighting each other, etc). So yeah, for the first time we doing a Friday Night ‘Fro with barely no Hip-Hop and just full length movies (Well, RZA did do some of the score but that’s splitting hairs). If you haven’t seen this movie, I think it’s the perfect time to watch “The Bride” (aka Black Mamba aka Uma Thurman) seek revenge on Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox), O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu), Budd (Michael Madsen), Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), and of course Bill (David Carradine). Enjoy and remember “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. I’m out this bitch!

Kill Bill Vol. 1

Kill Bill Vol. 2

We at it again; time for another edition of The Numbers Game. It’s here where we talk about who sold what in the past week. In this edition, we have 4 debut but only 2 in the Top 50 (And only 1 is a Hip-Hop/Rap album). Three 6 Mafia does surprisingly well, Dwele does respectable numbers with his 4th album, while Bobby Digital & Immortal Technique land in the 100’s (Is Digi Snacks still a 4 Star album now King Jerm?). Oh yeah, and Wayne’s Tha Carter III continues to dominate. I’ll let you see for yourself…

#2 Lil’ Wayne/Tha Carter III (Last Week: #2) – 209,000; Total: 1,526,000 (Platinum) [3 Weeks]
#5 Three 6 Mafia/Last 2 Walk (Last Week: NA) – 77,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#7 Usher/Here I Stand (Last Week: #6) – 52,000; Total: 806,000 (Gold) [5 Weeks]
#10 Rhianna/Good Girl Gone Bad (Last Week: #7) – 47,000; Total: 1,354,000 (Platinum) [56 Weeks]
#11 Plies/Definition Of Real (Last Week: #5) – 43,000; Total: 325,500 [3 Weeks]
#22 Chris Brown/Exclusive (Last Week: #25) – 19,300; Total: 1,647,000 (Platinum) [34 Weeks]
#25 Mariah Carey/E=MC² (Last Week: #23) – 17,300; Total: 1,063,400 (Platinum) [11 Weeks]
#35 Dwele/Sketches Of A Man (Last Week: NA) – 14,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#38 N.E.R.D/Seeing Sounds (Last Week: #20) – 13,300; Total: 117,000 [3 Weeks]
#42 Ashanti/Declaration (Last Week: #21) – 13,000; Total: 155,400 [4 Weeks]
#99 Immortal Technique/The 3rd World (Last Week: NA) – 7,500; Total: NA [Debut]
#111 RZA/Digi Snacks (Last Week: NA) – 6,700; Total: NA [Debut]

While Hip-Hop used to be his only hustle, now RZA is making more noise in Hollywood with his sound. However he hasn’t forgot about his fans. Dropping his fourth solo album, Digi Snacks, RZA looks to capitalize on the shaky market. RZA already has a Platinum and Gold plaque for two previous efforts; can he strike Gold again with Digi Snacks? *All tracks produced by RZA except noted.

Digi Snacks (Intro)
The albums intro starts off with some cinematic production; it seems to tell a story from just the music. Nice beat and RZA just rides the wave for the intro. GOOD START.

Long Time Coming
Once again Bobby drops a gem on the production side with this one. The lyrics are on point (for RZA) and I’m really feeling this one.

U Can’t Stop Me Now
Featuring Inspectah Deck
RZA puts together a bluesy “juke joint” sounding beat and immediately I start thinking about Kill Bill. RZA and Deck are in storytelling mode but RZA shines on Deck on the song detailing their lives in a verse.

Straight Up The Block
Produced by David Banner
Your eyes aren’t deceiving you; yes that’s RZA and David Banner. RZA changes his voice on the track, no not the T-Pain thing, like when Nas did his thing. RZA actually flipped it like a Southern cat! I like it, its fun, and I know some Wu fans aren’t going to dig this!

Booby Trap
Featuring Dexter Wiggles
The production continues to be top notch so far, but I must say the hook on this one is SICK! This song is crazy! RZA’s sample and the tone that Dexter Wiggles uses are NUTS! BANGER!

Try Ya Ya Ya
Featuring Monk & Thea van Seijen
Once again you get classic RZA production on this one with a thumping beat, some drums and a nice loop. What I like about the song is the way RZA’s unorthodox flow fit well on the track. HOT!

Good Night
Featuring Rev. William Burk, Crisis, & Thea van Seijen
I kind of like the beat on this one, the hook is kind of dreamy, but the production brings it through for RZA more often than not. The other rappers just seem to ride along without saying anything major.

No Regrets
RZA shows his versatility on this track where he speeds up the flow and even does the Jay-Z “whisper flow” on the song. My favorite line “godfather like Brando, you can download my flow on your iPod nano!” This might be another one of those ones that the Wu faithful might skip, but it’s different for Bobby.

Money Don’t Own Me
Featuring Monk; Produced by Stone Mecca
This song is screaming for ODB! The production is on the blunted side, and the lyrics are decent on the track. This isn’t on the must see list, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad.

Creep
Featuring Black Knights, Northstar, Thea van Seijen, & Dexter Wiggles; Produced by King Tech
I like the hook a play off a nursery rhyme that goes over well with the casserole beat (meaning a lot of different elements.) But Bobby steals the show with this line in my book, “Bobby covered in ice like its Frosty the Snowman/ you suckers is useless like old New York tokens!” Everybody that rhymed on this one brought the wood! BANGER!

Drama
Featuring Monk & Thea van Seijen
This is a tight song right here. Once again Thea’s vocals are on point, and Bobby and Monk are talking about the ups and downs of life. If you listen to the beat, it’s like RZA incorporated every sound he had in the background! GOOD SONG!

Up Again
Featuring Beretta 9, Rev William Burk, George Clinton, & El DeBarge
The track has a very simple beat, which is a change from all the other tracks on the record. One thing I don’t like is the talking where the hook is supposed to be. Nothing major here, even with the big names on the track.

Put Your Guns Down
Featuring Star
This is the first song I had to hit SKIP on! The beat is by far my least favorite on the whole album. The hook isn’t as good as the other ones. SKIP!

Love is Digi Part 2
Featuring Beretta 9, Crisis, & Thea van Seijen
Wow, Bobby dropped back to back duds! This song is very different than the original. Thea’s vocals get old, but this song is totally boring. NEXT!

O Day
RZA takes it back to the old days “dododododo” (digital sound) with this one. If you like that style, then you will dig this one. He even called ODB the GOAT at the end of the track. HOT!

Don’t Be Afraid
The production is back on the song, and Bobby gives us his classic flow and magical samples. This is Bobby at his best. What a way to close out an album, even though it’s a bonus song. BANGER.

Bottom Line:
When I was first asked to do this, I thought about the whopping I took about the Killah Priest review, so I went in with an open mind, and RZA put together a good album. Even first time listeners will be able to digest RZA’s fun but at times razor sharp lyrics. This album impressed me with the production, not that I thought that RZA didn’t have it, but I forgot that he used to be the dopest in the game. So if you want to experience a good album with STELLAR production, pick up Digi Snacks. This album will satisfy the average listeners even to the diehard Wu faithful.

nappyPicks: “Booby Trap”, “Creep”, “Try Ya Ya Ya”, “O Day”… I have to be honest you need to cop this!

Download: RZA feat. Dexter Wiggles – “Booby Trap”

Released in 1993 during the East Coast Renaissance, a time which we saw Das EFX, Black Moon, Nas, Onyx, and many other NY groups were ushering in a new era in Hip-Hop. But no one was prepared for the worldwide impact of the Wu-Tang Clan. Boasting 9 members, RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, and last but not least Method Man. Not only was this Hip-Hop’s first supergroup, but one of the most marketable. The album has given us some of Hip-Hop’s classic songs. Like the eye opening “Bring Da Ruckus” when Ghostface gives it to you from the jump or when you’re introduced to Ol’ Dirty’s “drunken style” on “Shame on a Nigga”. This group not only introduced the world to Shaolin aka Staten Island, but it also injected new slang to the Hip-Hop vernacular. “C.R.E.A.M” was not only the biggest song off the album, but the anagram still rings true today. Cash Rules Everything Around Me. That will never get old. This album also spawned their biggest star Method Man, who had a solo song (by the same name) that set him apart from the crew, kind of like the sex symbol of the group. This album is stacked from top to bottom, so if you’ve been living under a rock and don’t own this album, then you really don’t know that WU-TANG CLAN AIN’T NOTHING TO FUCK WITH!