I have to admit, when Lord Willin' hit I was one of those people that dismissed the album as just more of that "fake gangsta shit." But it was hard to deny the anthem quality of "Grindin" and even the hardest backpacker couldn’t deny spittin’ along the first couple of verses, "top down. chrome spinning..." of "When the Last Time." So here we are a few years later with hip-hop probably as weak as its ever been and after some major label drama, the Clipse drop Hell Hath No Fury.
Considering how long it took for this album to be released, it could serve as a lesson for other artists to quit saturating the market with rushed projects designed to capitlize on being the flavor of the month. Simply put, this album is banging, and is probably one of the best albums I heard since the Black Album or Be.
Instead of outsourcing the production to the usual roster of hot producers that'll give em their leftovers, production on this work is handled entirely by the Neptunes. As a result, the chemistry shines through as Chad and Pharrel tailor-make every beat to the strengths of Pusha T and Malice.
Hell starts with "We Got it for Cheap," which is a typical Scarface homage. The beat's a simple riff with a pounding bass-line with some dude that sounds like your buddy 'Spanish' doing his best Tony Montana impression as the hook. It sounds like a juicy, grimey freestyle you wish you recorded.
At 12 bangin' tracks, this is one of those albums that you don't hit the fwd button on. Though the subject matter of "I slang dope, I got a lot of money" seems old and tired, the Clipse deliver it with so much flair and bravado that you can't help but cheer for the bad guy. The hooks are clever and creative as evidenced by "while I'm shovelling the snow, man call me Frosty."
The only real downside of this album is the monotony of the subject matter. Put it this way, if you don't like hearing about dealing cocaine, then this album's not for you. But even with the slight lyrical shortcomings, there's no denying that the Neptunes put some work in where the beats not only sound dope, but literally like they from another planet.
I never thought I would say this about the Clipse, but with the chemistry, production, arrogance, and consistency, this is probably the best rap duo since Erik and Parish. With how thin the game is, cop this album...NOW.
Considering how long it took for this album to be released, it could serve as a lesson for other artists to quit saturating the market with rushed projects designed to capitlize on being the flavor of the month. Simply put, this album is banging, and is probably one of the best albums I heard since the Black Album or Be.
Instead of outsourcing the production to the usual roster of hot producers that'll give em their leftovers, production on this work is handled entirely by the Neptunes. As a result, the chemistry shines through as Chad and Pharrel tailor-make every beat to the strengths of Pusha T and Malice.
Hell starts with "We Got it for Cheap," which is a typical Scarface homage. The beat's a simple riff with a pounding bass-line with some dude that sounds like your buddy 'Spanish' doing his best Tony Montana impression as the hook. It sounds like a juicy, grimey freestyle you wish you recorded.
At 12 bangin' tracks, this is one of those albums that you don't hit the fwd button on. Though the subject matter of "I slang dope, I got a lot of money" seems old and tired, the Clipse deliver it with so much flair and bravado that you can't help but cheer for the bad guy. The hooks are clever and creative as evidenced by "while I'm shovelling the snow, man call me Frosty."
The only real downside of this album is the monotony of the subject matter. Put it this way, if you don't like hearing about dealing cocaine, then this album's not for you. But even with the slight lyrical shortcomings, there's no denying that the Neptunes put some work in where the beats not only sound dope, but literally like they from another planet.
I never thought I would say this about the Clipse, but with the chemistry, production, arrogance, and consistency, this is probably the best rap duo since Erik and Parish. With how thin the game is, cop this album...NOW.
1 comment:
my buddy "Spanish" would not enjoy...
He would put on his 'yacket,' leave his 'yob,' and 'yay-walk' to get away froma former colonist.
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