HipHopHavoc Review: Prodigy HNIC Pt. 2 (Reviewed by Konscious Vybz )

I listen to a fair amount of hip hop but not enough to be considered a fan in the truest sense. And as long as I can remember, it's always been that way. The why is very simple: I love music in general, hip hop included; it just has to be good. Unfortunately there's a lot of garbage out there and sadly hip hop is responsible for a good percentage of the bad. So it’s no surprise then that for me there's a very short list of hip hop artists I would consider any good. And at the top of that list, the elite, who consistently put out tracks that I just never get tired of hearing. Without a doubt, Mobb Deep is one of those artists, which is why I was real excited a few weeks ago when I got the opportunity to listen to Prodigy's latest, HNIC Part 2.

But although I anxiously look forward to hearing anything they're involved with, this time around it was with a bit of apprehension for no reason other than their recent association with G-Unit. I mean let's face it; no matter what your opinion of G-Unit (I have one of course but they're not the focus here), Mobb Deep is on a completely different level which is what makes them and their music so good. That’s just my opinion, which also happens to be a fact. So yeah, I had my doubts and even if those doubts are based on mere perception rather than factual data, a lot of hip hop culture is perception.

Listening tot his album, I rated the individual tracks on a scale from 0-5 in 0.5 increments, 0 being the lowest and 5 the highest. Right away I’ll tell you that you’ll hardly see a 5 rating. That’s partly because I’m real critical and not too easily impressed. But it’s also because, and this is so unfortunate, there aren’t many tracks out there that I’d consider highly recommended. Let’s check out the tracks individually before I give an overall rating score to the album itself.

(1) Real Power’s People - (4/5) - Real simple beat and is a good kickoff for the album.

(2) The Life - (4/5) – Another good track. The beat reminds me of an old arcade game sort of mixed with a Halloween soundtrack but whatever it is I love it.

(3) Young Veterans - (3/5) – I love this beat, but I gave this track only 3.5 stars because the second verse is basically non-existent, and right as it starts all you hear is some guy grunting like he’s "heavy" on the toilet. Then the rest of the song is about getting head and finally repeating more of the same stuff from the first verse. So this track is kind of like sprinting off the finish line, but getting pushed across in the end. You applaud the effort, but you really expected a lot more.

(4) Illuminati - (3/5) - I really don't have much to say about this track. It's okay. It's not bad, but it's not really that good either.

(5) New Yitty - (3.5/5) - So I really wanted to love this track but the hook is weak. To top it off, if you're going to use Jamaican slang it should at least sound Jamaican, and it's not like it wasn't done enough times on this track to convince me. Use it in a context where it sounds real is all I'm saying. Just didn't fit this track in my opinion. My rating here is a little biased but I'm entitled!

(6) ABC - (2/5) - This is the only track on the whole album I can honesty say I hate it. After hearing it the first two times I skip it every single time I listen to the album now. P for pass on this one, right to the next track.

(7) Click Clack - (3/5) - So again, I really liked this track, especially the beat, and would have liked to give it a better rating but I wasn't feeling Big Twinz and the track’s barely 3 minutes long. Not much to go on there.

(8) Veteran's Memorial Part II - (3/5) - This track is what it is: a tribute song. Again, not bad, but not really that good either. I feel like I'm repeating myself... yeah, I am!

(9) Field Marshal P - ( 3/5) - This track is average at best, so I rated it accordingly.

(10) 3 Stacks - (3.5/5) - Every time I hear this track I turn it up until that stupid hook starts. The hook on this track sucks, and I'm still not feeling Big Twinz here.

(11) When I See You - (3.5/5) - So-so beat and ok hook but you'll like this track, maybe.

(12) It's Nothing - (4.5/5) - This is my favorite track on this album. This is one of those tracks you just never get tired of hearing. If you were listening to just the beat, or the rhymes acapella on the block, it doesn't matter.

(13) Want Out - (3.5/5)

(14) ABC (Vox Remix) - (0.0/5) - Remixes are supposed to help, not hurt a track. Yeah I gave it a 0 because it's garbage. Thankfully it's only 2 minutes long.

So what can you expect from P’s latest? I think this album is solid, definitely not the load of crap you get from a lot of so-called artists these days. P was never just another artist and this album is continued evidence of that fact. You don’t have to run to ITunes to pick the only two tracks you like you can buy this album and not feel like you wasted your money. Overall I rate this album 3.5/5. Since track 14 was a remix plus it was too short to really be considered a track, the 0 score was not a factor in the overall rating. If you haven't already, go out and get this album. You won't be disappointed.

-Konscious Vybz

Jay-Z 'American Gangster'

By BRETT JOHNSON, For The Associated Press

Jay-Z, "American Gangster" (Def Jam)

Jay-Z is the first to admit that his retirement from rap was entirely too premature: Like the self-proclaimed Mike Jordan of rap once famously said, "I can't leave rap alone/ the game needs me."

After claiming that he'd release no more albums, last year's "Kingdom Come" CD was Jay-Z's first comeback attempt. However, just like Jordan's return to the NBA after his first hiatus, Jay's return only partly lived up to expectations. Although the disc scored his best opening week sales until that point, it was roundly received as a relative letdown, with too many soft-edged rhymes about his cushy, celebrity lifestyle.

"American Gangster," his tenth studio album, represents Jay's comeback from that comeback — his chance to reassert himself as hip-hop's pre-eminent wordsmith and hustler-gone-legal chronicler. This time, he unquestionably delivers the goods — showcasing deft metaphors about his own ghetto ascension and an uncanny ear for dramatic sonic backdrops.

Jay claims he was inspired by the Ridley Scott-directed film of the same name about '70s-era Harlem drug mogul Frank Lucas. Though not a soundtrack to the biopic, the disc still has a cinematic quality. The beats, most notably the six tracks produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs and his Hitmen beatmaking team, capture a range of moods that few rap albums nail. Stately horns punctuate "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is ... )" while "Sweet" features a smoothed-out blaxploitation vibe.

And built on a mournful Marvin Gaye sample and sweeping strings, "American Dreamin'" chronicles thoughts of attending college that give way to profiting from dealing drugs. Jay rhymes: "Mama forgive me, should be thinkin' bout Harvard/ But that's too far away, n----s are starving/ Ain't nothin' wrong with aim, just gotta change the target/ I got dreams of baggin' snidd-ow the size of pillows."

Then later, with the aid of the tumbling congas and bright, electro-synths of the Neptunes-produced "I Know," Jay unfolds a tale of addiction where his own music could be the choice drug. "I am so dope/ Like Louboutins with the red bottoms /You gotta have 'em, you glad you got 'em."

Indeed, Jay's allure even has an affect on his rap star peers. Recent rival Lil Wayne contributes some tight-jawed rhymes and sing-songy vocals on "Hello Brooklyn 2.0" which uses a screeching Beastie Boys vocal sample and some thumping 808 drum kicks. And to dazzling effect, Jay partners with former nemesis Nas over the rugged, organ-driven beat of "Success." Cocky as ever, Jay puffs out his chest: "I got watches I ain't seen in months/ Apartment at the Trump I only slept in once/ N----s said Hova was over, such dummies/ Even if I fell, I'd land on a bunch of money."

"American Gangster" is proof that Jay-Z hasn't lost his gift of making some of the most undeniably inventive and assured hip-hop music, or as on "Roc Boys" he sums up: "This is black superhero music." Bold words, but it's hard to argue with someone who's comeback twice and remains the genre's most exciting voice.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: "Ignorant (Expletive)" with Beanie Sigel features a bumping bass line, Isley Brothers sample and Jay defending rap by taking aim at Don Imus and flashing "celebutantes."


Rating 4/5