Reviews
Directions: Click the e-mail link to say what you think about the album to me. Include how many stars you would give this album out of a possible 5. Your opinion will be posted on this site, so after you send me your review, come back to Tha Hot Spot to see your review...
Lil' Kim, "The Notorious K.I.M.",Atlantic
Almost four years after her multi-platinum debut album, Hardcore, the "Queen Bee" Lil' Kim comes back "Notorious" but she definitely doesn't come back strong. One would think that after pushing the record release date back several times, Kim's sophomore album would be a little more prolific. With new hair, new tities and a new look, you expect Lil' Kim to return with a new formula. However, the old formula of raunchy, obscene lyrics that shock the listener and let them know that Kim is what is good about the album. Notorious KIM now takes this formula to the next level, a level where even the hardest of core can not stomach the rawness of these lyrics. A perfect example is track #4 -- "Suck My Dick," which surprisingly enough has one of the hottest beats on the album. Unfortunately, most of this album does not have the beat, melody, the break or the chorus necessary to hold a candle to her first album (and a record featuring Puffy is not helping matters). On the bright side, the title track "Notorious KIM" is off the meter. Bottom line -- too many guest stars and poor production. The raunchy lyrics is what kept me listenin to it. She's just not good enough of a lyrisist to keep up...2 spots
out of 5
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Ruff Ryders, "Ryde Or Die Vol. II",Interscope.
I had high expectations for this collabo, but if youre lookin for this album to be better than Ryde Or Die Vol. I, the first album, then you'll be dissapointed. Overall, the album is hot. The best song is "Go Head" by the Lox; with the hot track and smooth lyrics. Jadakiss is the star of this shit, but Yung Wun is in too many tracks. His down South style don't go with the rest of the Ruff Ryders. Also, my other beef with it is that DMX was only in one track, a bonus track. Being the main draw, X should be in at least 3 tracks. I still think you should cop it, but its not better than the first one...3 spots out of 5
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Canibus, "2000 B.C.",Universal.
"Second Round K.O." was one of the best disses in hip-hop history. But the anticipated album Can-I-Bus, though certified gold, was a disappointment. Now back to redeem himself, Canibus returns with his sophomore joint, 2000 B.C. (Before Canibus). Featuring Irv Gotti, Clue, DURO, and JuJu from the Beatnuts, Canibus finally has the production that backs his terrorizing delivery and samurai sword lyrics. On the intro track "C-Quel," Canibus sounds just as hungry as he was when blazing his styles over NYC mixtapes, shooting his verbal venom over the background of the infamous theme from SWAT. Other shit to look out for are "2000 B.C," with a loop of opera singers shouting over a dark bass line and "Life Liquid," featuring newcomer Journalist. Canibus doesn’t fail in his quest to destroy mc’s with his trademark battle lyrics. But where other rappers fail to achieve commercial success because of wack production, Canibus thrives, because most of the beats fit the energy of his rhymes. But that's where the shortcomings of the album begin. Canibus’ album concept is bent on battling every rapper on the planet, and there's little room for anything else. The disappointing duo with labelmate Rakim on "I'll Buss Em" typifies that lack of growth from his last LP. However, Canibus nevertheless makes good on delivering a solid album. And the two cuts that help solidify this effort are the appearance of Kurupt, Killah Priest, and Ras Kass on the best battle rap collabo of the year, "Abide," and Canibus' amazingly effortless flow on "100 Bars." 2000 B.C. is a much better improvement over the first. So if you're looking for relentless, raw lyricism, this is a definite must have. But, his lack of freestyle skillz and evidence of a ghostwriter brings him down... 2.5 spots 
out of 5.
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Busta Rhymes, "Anarchy",Elektra.
Busta is equal parts hip-hop court jester and underground artist. He wears neither role lightly on Anarchy, his first record in two years and the last part of a four-part series that tracks the fictional decline of society, or something like that. Anarchy's 21 tracks are packed with the usual gangsta bluster. Busta is occasionally deep ("How We Grew"), occasionally reflective ("Ain't it funny how shit transpires?" he says at one point), and happy, such as on "Salute Da Gods!!!" or the likely smash "Get Out," with its children's chorus like Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life." The much gloomier "The Heist" is a scary ass, bloody mini-epic featuring Raekwon and Ghostface (among others) describing what seems to be a stickup gone wrong. Busta may not be the most prescient of lyricists or the most adept of rappers (note to Busta: It isn't pronounced a-nar-chy), and the post-apocalyptic vibe he seems to be toying with throughout Anarchy is too weighty for what is otherwise a basic (if raggety) LP... 2.5 spots out of 5.
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Erick Sermon, "Def Squad Presents Erick Onasis",DreamWorks.
Can Eric Sermon deliver without Parrish? Well, hip-hop fans have debated that very same question for years, as solo albums from both members of this legendary group have accomplished little more then leave their fans with a severe case of separation anxiety. However, with Erick Onasis, Erick Sermon has relocated his solo groove. While Erick Onasis is more of a compilation then a full-fledged Def Squad gathering, it does contain some of E's best solo work in years; the carefree arrogance of "Why Not," featuring Slick Rick, and the blistering DJ Scratch-produced "I Do 'Em" are just two examples. But most stirring was the vibrant "So Sweet," which features a rare, posthumous verse from Compton's Eazy-E. Even though, E-Double's decade-long love jones has helped affix a methodical label to his production style, there is no denying the regularity with which he keeps necks nodding. So just what is E without the PMD? What he has always been...3 spots out of 5
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Nelly, "Country Grammar",Universal.
With this, his Universal Records major-label debut, St. Louis native Nelly was poised to place the Midwest on the hip-hop map in the same way that Master P did for New Orleans. The 20-year-old MC combines bouncy, catchy tracks with a cool, unique vocal draw. The title track was one of the 2000's most infectious tracks, with its memorable chorus hook based on the children's song "Down, Down Baby." The rapper is joined by the Hot Boys' Lil Wayne on "For My" and the New York-based duo the Teamsters on "Never Let 'Em C U Sweat." His crew, the St. Lunatics, joins the fracas on "Steal the Show" and "Batter Up." COUNTRY GRAMMAR proves that there's always room for an album of hot beats and slick lyrics, no matter where you call home.
Validates Nelly's husky, singsongy style as the new steez to jock. The boy's thick, gospel flavor is so nice at times that he'll soon be stealing collab gigs from Goodie Mob's Cee-Lo. But after a while, you get tired of hearin shit like, "Ungulle Ungulle baby Eeeii, Eeeii, uh ohh"...
2.5 spots out of 5
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