scar_zgb's Full Review: Return of the Mac [PA] by Prodigy (Mobb Deep)
Mobb Deep were always ( at least in 90s) known for their thug and hardcore lyrics which were so real that they could make you fear for your life.
After their forgotten for reason ‘Juvenille Hell’ album, they dropped undeniable classic The Infamous which in some case marked their whole career and established them as important acts in hip-hop history and it was hailed as one of the greatest albums of mid nineties East Coast renaissance as well of all time. Shook Ones Pt.II and Survival Of The Fittestwere singles which perfectly described their grimy style which had Havoc’s production mastered on incredible level and placed him among hip-hop greats, Prodigy was one of the most promising MCs with perfect flow and certified street credibility and respect.
Hell On Earth of 1996 only confirmed that status for both members and in my opinion Hell On Earth is maybe better than The Infamous as a collection of songs, but those two songs which I mentioned above place their sophomore release a bit higher on list.
Murda Muzik from 1999 was still good but it showed some kind of a falling of the duo. Prodigy released above average H.N.I.C. solo debut which was good chapter to Mobb’s legacy but one moment changed it all.
Now I’ll cause Big D roll his eyes (if he is reading this) and mention Summer Jam 2001 when Jay-Z freestyled (later known as Takeover from his arguably classic The Blueprint) and showed Prodigy’s picture as a ballerina when he was a kid. Prodigy later said that his mom had forced him to go there to save him from streets which were calling ( along with his father who gave him gun) but Prodigy never recovered from that shock and Mobb Deep never made a great album since then. Although Amerikaz Nightmare & even Blood Money were decent, they lost their thug in other people’s eyes.
Okay, I can’t say that dance and love songs ( and even crunk )did not help in that either, but however. Mobb was never same again.
Because of that reason, I was very surprised when I saw that Prodigy is going to put out his new solo album H.N.I.C. Pt.2. Before that he decided to release mixtape Return Of The Mac which was later released as a album because it was unexpectedly good. When I heard that, I had nothing to do but to cop that because I still had some love for Mobb. My high hopes were even getting bigger when I have seen that The Alchemist produced the whole record, and he’s even featured on the cover, and, it was released on Koch, not G-Unit so I thought about P returning to his roots.
And I was right about Alchemist, if somebody asked me to describe production on this album with one word, it would probably be FANTASTIC. Alchemist did it all, from soulful to samples to menacing, he really placed himself on a high spot in my book. People call him Lil’Premier, I don’t agree with that because I find his style different from Premo’s, but if they call him like that for his production quality then I have no complaints. It is banging from start to end of this album. But, don’t forget one thing, this is not a instrumental album. And that’s the biggest con of it. If he put out this like Jay Dee put Donuts out, it would be classic. But in this case, it’s a thing which will be forgotten soon, ( and for a reason ). Wondering what that reason is? I’ll give you a answer immediately. Prodigy aka Bandana P aka Capital P is the reason.
He is so lazy. In 1995 I believed him when he said: ‘Speak the wrong words man and you’ll get touched.’ Now, in 2008 I believe him when he says: ‘I’m on drugs.’
Yes P, you really are. Congratulations. He flows with the energy of dead horse and it seems like it’s a question of time when will we hear only beat because he fell asleep. Hooks are barely recognizable from verses. But if it was only for hooks and flow, and the rest was right, you would still get above average album, but the funny thing is that the rest is even worse.
First I must warn you. Forget Terminator, Eraser, Commandos, and all of Steven Segal’s, Jean Claude Van Dam’s, Dolph Lundgren’s and others movies. You don’t need that, because Prodigy made a new album, which is banging, literally. You hear more gunshots than in all those movies together, and there are so many threats that if you want to listen to this album you need to push the play button and then run to a safe place to not get shot.
So pathetic.
Of course, don’t get me wrong. Album still has some bright points. For example, Legends has a little bit of charm and it’s some kind of relaxing. It’s kind of introspective and in some case an autobiographical.
Then, Stuck On You, is genius, that production is amazing in every sense of word. When I first heard it I thought it would be used for some kind of a love song ( it would be classic), but Prodigy used it to express to us how he is really stuck to his gun and in the end made it only passable and slightly above average. When I think a little bit more, that’s all. All what you’ll get from this album. Okay, not to be cruel, I’ll mention Take It To The Top and 7th Heaven as passable.
Other songs are not worth checking out because it would really be a waste of time.Just look at the tracklist. Bang On ‘Em, Nickel & Nail, Mac 10 Handle. Do you expect something good . All this sounds so forced, lame and uninspired, and what is most important- repetitive and generic.
Don’t even think that I hate this album because of guns, you’re so wrong if you do. Gangsta rap can be performed perfectly, just ask… no you don’t even to have to look further. Just listen to Prodigy til 2001. That is an another person, but that is some other story.
I also have to say that this all wouldn’t be so bad ( it would, but not like this) if songs were performed with double time flow and aggressive voice, kinda like Black Child former Murder Inc rapper.
In the end, I don’t really know what to say as a conclusion. The Alchemist is awarded with all five stars (or @s), and what about Prodigy? He receives only two of the symbols which you prefer.
Buying this or not? I suggest no, download it to hear beats or find instrumental version of it if one exists. Alchemist made a terrible mistake when he gave this beats to shadow of former Infamous Prodigy. Keep in mind that this was the best produced album of 2007. Head to head with RZA’s 8 Diagrams ( sorry Kanye). I’ll still check the H.N.I.C. Pt.2 when it comes out, but if that sh!t won’t be good. I’ll have to be cruel and say goodbye for good.
It’s sad when I hear last year’s Roc-A-Fella recruit Uncle Murder when he says:
‘I’ll do this lil’ n….s like Jay did Mobb Deep, 50 played yo n…..s and you still signed with him, that ain’t street, let me tell you, when I’m in a hood they laugh at Mobb Deep’.
Sad but true.
And for epinions readers, bye til next review.
@@1/2 Rounded Down To Two Stars
TRACKLIST:
1. The Mac Is Back Intro (NOT RATED)
2. Return Of The Mac (aka New York Sh!t)(3 stars)
3. Stuck On You (4 stars)
4. Mac 10 Handle (1,5 stars)
5. Down & Out In New York City (NOT RATED)
6. The Rotten Apple (2,5 stars)
7. Majesty Speaks (Skit)( NOT RATED)
8. Take It To The Top (3,5 stars)
9. P Speaks (Skit)(NOT RATED)
10. 7th Heaven (w/ Un Pacino)(3stars)
11. Bang On 'Em (2 stars)
12. Nickel And A Nail (1,5 stars)
13. Legends(4 stars)
14. Stop Fronting (2,5 stars)
The 11 track album, produced entirely by The Alchemist, marks the return of Prodigy, one half of famed duo Mobb Deep. The new album, as indicated by t...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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