CASSIDY
"SPLIT PERSONALITY"
Full Surface Records (3.5/5)
"I got a large house, a doghouse in my backyard / And even my doghouse got a backyard / Big cars, cigars, and big biscuits / The kid is doing it big, it’s big business / The new kid on the block, admit that it’s hot / ‘Cause I’m great like the late Pun, Biggie, and Pac." With those words, most of us were introduced to Barry Reese, better known to hip-hoppers as Cassidy Da Problem. For the past two years, Cassidy has been a mixtape staple. He’s now gotten the exposure he needs to drop his debut: a fourteen-track album split into three distinct personalities. The first is Cassidy, a cocky, arrogant playa that has nothing on his mind besides the ladies. With this Cassidy persona in control, the bravado and sexual innunendo is through the roof! Cassidy’s current hit, "Hotel," with R Kelly, has been bangin’ for a minute now, and the other songs from this personality have similar subject matter. It’s no surprise that "Get No Better" is the second single, simply because most of the other songs on this album wouldn’t get radio airplay simply because of the content, although the Snoop Dogg collabo "Scream" could have worked. After Cassidy, we are introduced to Da Problem, his hip-hop persona which touches on his feelings towards the industry, other artists, and himself. Pulling no punches, Da Problem enlists Styles P and Jadakiss for two of the most arrogant songs ever recorded. Styles instructs us to "Pop That Cannon" ‘cause they ain’t scared, and on "Can I Talk to You," Jadakiss informs us that "New York is mine, Philly is Cass’." With the bars Da Problem spits, we can’t take this notion lightly! With the bass-heavy "Blood Pressure" rising, we see a good song spoiled by a weak hook from Swizz. After Da Problem, we transition to Barry Reese, overhearing a conversation between father and son. His father points out the positive and negative messages within the CD, and of course he gets the last word. Barry Reese, like other artists, is a human being first, and he stresses this on "Real Talk." Swizz Beatz’ contagious production is consistent throughout most of the labum, and if you haven’t been infected yet, "Hustlin’" will do the job. The beat and hook are crazy. It’s a shame that I can’t say the same about "I’m Hungry," where Barry drops the album’s most notable bars but the hook needs help. The album closes out with an "All Around the World" shoutout. As a bonus, we get a visit from Trina on the remix of "Hotel." Because of delays, a third of "Split Personality" has been bubbling for some months now, so the album’s release will have less impact on the average hip-hop head. Nonetheless, it’s a solid album. – ADG, adg@tmail.com

THER.I.P.Y
"STRICTLY 4 DA STREETZ"
Jangalang Ent. (3.5/5)
With Southern music emerging as popular music, we see more and more independent releases coming from the South. Paul D and Ken Jo hit us in the head with a mixtape, "Strictly 4 Da Streetz." As I see it, the title is all fucked up. We all know the "streetz" are "gangsta," but honestly, this isn’t a gangsta album. This album can be appreciated by any individual that likes good Southern rap. "2Pac and Biggie died, but they got Paul now," is a big statement to live up to, but Paul and Ken are up to the challenge. The chemistry between the two individuals can be compared to the Ying Yang Twins, displayed best on "Puff-N-Pass," which is a real freestyle session. Creativity isn’t a problem for these two, using Missy’s "Work It" as a template for the smoker’s anthem, "Fi Fi." Both members of Field Mob lend numerous verses to this disc, but T.H.E.R.IPY doesn’t need any guests to hold up the album. The album isn’t lyrically mind-blowing, but if you just like drawl-drenched rap, then this CD is strictly for you! – ADG, adg@tmail.com

COLOR CHANGIN’ CLICK
"THE ARMY" (2.5/5)
Yung-Ro, Chamillionaire, Rasaq, and 50/50 Twin combine forces to give us "The Army," a double-disc project. Each artist is given equal opportunity to shine throughout the album. But even though you can bring a horse to water, you can’t make him drink, and Yung-Ro seems to be the heart of this monster. He makes the most of his allotted time on each track. With the album pretty much split between original and "jacked" beats, "The Army" has the chance to out-do an artist as well as letting their flavor bleed through. Halfway through the album, we seem to be lost, but then it takes a 180-degree turn for the better with their rendition of Jay-Z’s "La La La." Soon after, we’re blessed with a verse from Lil’ Flip, who simply outdoes Ro, 50, and Cham hands down. The remaining songs on the album get tremendously better, with "The Call," "Relax," and the horn-driven "If U Crunk," where Yung-Ro rides the beat like a box Chevy. Midway through the album I wasn’t impressed at all, but the second half proved to be very listenable. The second disc is just a mirror of the first, chopped & screwed. – ADG, adg@tmail.com

LIL’ C
"THUG LUV"
Dollyhood Records (3/5)
Lately, R&B albums have been lacking in replay value. Lil’ C seems to have gotten this bug. Lately, my Alpine seems to be stuck on tracks 2,8, and 9: "Thug Luv," "Tonight," and "Just Be Friends," respectively. C seems like he feels at home with his craft on these mid-tempo to slow tracks. This is really evident on "Gone Away," where a simple sped-up drum pattern trips up C a bit, causing his vocals to sound forced and unnatural. Like most R&B albums, there are many relationship tracks, but C doesn’t bring any new ideas or thoughts to the game. Many artists sing about the same topics over and over, but they also have better production. Dude can sing his ass off, but he needs to come with a total package and hone in on a target audience. – ADG, adg@tmail.com

dead prez
"REVOLUTIONARY BUT GANGSTA" (4.5/5)
"Hell yeah!" dead prez is back with their highly anticipated album, "Revolutionary but Gangsta," a 13-track CD of substance. The title fits the album perfectly, because it’s a blend of street wisdom and political ideologies. So do as they say and "turn off the radio / turn off that bullshit… / crank up your speakers / your woofers and your tweeters / turn up your receivers" and listen to a true album that doesn’t reflect the materialism of today’s society. After a simple guitar-strumming intro, we move onto "Walk Like a Warrior," featuring Krayzie Bone and Erykah Badu. It’s great to hear Krayzie back in action, and his verse flows well with both M1 and Stic Man. The beat is entrancing, and Badu gets the opportunity to exercise her vocal abilities. "I Have a Dream, Too" is one of the more controversial tracks on this album. M1 lays down a verse describing a drive-by targeting the cops. This sounds like one hell of an interesting dream – actually, it sounds like a low-budget hood movie. Next, we continue the lyrical adventure with "D.O.W.N." The simple beat possesses a certain ambiguity, with a deep sound that dominates the beat, contrasting the quasi-chanting and giving the track an original feel. On this track, dp brings classic, timeless wisdom like "Can’t tell by no tattoo / can’t tell by no handshake / it starts with the heart being down, it’s an attitude / doing what you have to do for the crew’s sake." Track five is a remix, but the original in-depth track doesn’t come until the end. The next song, "W4," is dedicated to everyone working a 9 to 5, paying their taxes, and then having nothing left over as evidence of their work. This slower, mellower track is a nice change of pace. You’re probably thinking that this seems a little too mundane for dp, so they add their own twist to it, comparing taxes to slavery. M1 and Stic Man even offer a plan of action: "Run up to the White House and kick in the door." Now, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that solution, but it’s nice to hear MCs speaking on real issues. The next track, "Radio Frequency," has a nice vibe, and they assure us that they "refuse to be a stereotype," implying that radio is restricting "propaganda." I think most people can agree on this one. Next, you know a track is going to be rather interesting when it starts off with a toilet flushing. And no, it’s not a big shit, it’s that al-kee-hal. "Fucked Up," is, exactly as the name implies, a track about alcoholics. Most people can relate to a time when they’ve been bent over the old toilet bowl, or watched a friend hurl the unrecognizable remnants of Corona in the crapper. For dp, this is an interesting detour from their normal topics. Speaking of detours, the next track, "50 in the Clip," is a workout track. Yes, you read correctly: this is a workout track. But the workout is not a normal workout - it’s a workout for inmates. This song clocks in at only about two minutes, after which there is a countdown for fifty pushups. Get your fat ass on the floor. As the sweat pours, track ten kicks in and the intro has you thinking you’ve heard this on an Eminem cut already. "Way of Life" is about the trials and tribulations of life. The snare kicks in with a dominating sound, as dp discusses "the fear, the focus, the aches, the pains, the trial and error, the ranks and belt, the spiritual growth," and more. Next up is another remix to "Hell Yeah," featuring Jay-Z, and then the original "Hell Yeah," which is well worth the wait. They pose some vital questions after the first verse, "Ain’t you hungry my nigga? You want to get paid my nigga? Ain’t you tired of starving my nigga?" If nothing else, I’m hungry and starving for some more dead prez. This album is a strong statement to the labels that shitted on dp in the past. This album is a middle finger from all dp fans stuck up proud and firm at the haters. Let the revolution begin! - Rohit Loomba, ctpros@arcaneproductioncompany.com

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