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Heaven'z
Movie
Bizzy Bone |
The Bone Thugs have
gone the way of many successful rap groups and put out solo efforts.
The value of these is always up for discussion, and is a hot topic
amongst 10rc reviewers. Everyone has a different taste and everyone
prefers a different Bone member. For reference purposes I rank the
Bone Thugs in this order:
- Bizzy Bone
- Krayzie Bone
- Wish Bone
- Layzie Bone
Perhaps at some later
date I'll write an editorial detailing why I feel this way. For
now, I just wanted to say that so people are clear that I prefer
Bizzy in general. That serves to set up the rest of this review.
Heaven'z Movie is
Bizzy alone in the studio cutting rap the way he likes it. It has
a lot of variety and goes many places, but there are a few trends.
Bizzy generally tends toward consciousness rather than drugs and
violence. While Bizzy smokes his share of ganja, he has a highly
political album here that may only be blurred by the logistics of
his rapping style.
The CD is smooth and
easy. Bizzy gets jacked up quite regularly and includes some of
his trademark alter egos. The songs have very little in common.
Most are completely different experiences from the rest. Each has
a specific purpose and launches into that. Some are more successful
than others.
One of my favorite songs
on here is "Thugz Cry". It's a remake/extrapolation
of the classic Prince song: "Doves Cry". It does
not surpass that song - that song is one of the all time greats.
However, Bizzy does it more than justice. He adapts it to a rap
style in a way that pays tribute to Prince and goes new places.
Bizzy also tears it the fuck up in this song. It's one of those
songs that has an unforgettable sound and makes you wish you could
rap like Bizzy Bone. It's beyond Bone Thugs, only Bizzy can rap
like this. Bizzy also includes the lyrics in the CD cover - unprecedented
for the Bone Thugs. It's a direct challenge from him to you. Just
in case you're wondering, you can't rap it with the lyrics, he's
that fast.
There are many other
good songs on Heaven'z Movie in addition to "Thugz Cry".
Some of them are: "Menensky Mobbin'", "Mr.
Majesty II", "Demons Surround Me", "The Roof
is on Fire", "Nobody Can Stop Me", and "Social
Studies". They address everything from Bizzy's personal
problems with his friends, contracts, and relatives to the infamous
capturing of slaves from Africa. If you read the lyrics Bizzy tries
to teach, this may be another reason why he includes the lyrics.
Perhaps in a longer editorial I will attempt to reveal a lot of
what he talks about. For now, just know that there are a lot of
strong songs.
Another interesting aspect
of the CD is the inside. As I've already mentioned he includes the
lyrics. Bizzy puts in a classic illustration of Africans in the
boats on the middle passage. Also, a particularly interesting illustration
is present of what can only be a record deal. It has droplets of
blood on it and is on the same page with the lyrics to "Demons
Surround Me". Bizzy is celebrating African history throughout
the CD in a commendable way. By including remakes of spirituals,
pictures of the middle passage, and references to the Menensky tribe
Bizzy pays tribute to history in a way that can only please students
of black history.
Probably, this isn't
a good CD to the casual listener. If you don't dig deeper then all
you have is dirt. If you don't like Bizzy, you won't like this.
If you don't like 'soft' rap this one will probably turn you off.
Bizzy is going to sound that way on all of his songs because of
his voice. He mixes in some singing too, which can be annoying.
I love this CD. However,
as alluded to above, that could be because I am a big fan of Bizzy's
work as a whole. I also like to look at music critically. If you
don't do this then you probably won't get much out of Heaven'z Movie.
On the first listen it sounds forgettable, but after a few listens
you can start to feel what Bizzy is all about.
Favorite line[s]
"I was born in Ohio,
already on trial/cause pops said I looked to light/but moms is
white"
- Bizzy lays it out
for us here - letting us into the unique inner conflict of being
an extremely light colored black dude. One can only assume that
this is something that Bizzy has had to deal with his whole life.
It's nice to see rappers getting so personal on their records
rather than staying safe.
"Don't let
the light skin fool you, I will fuck you up."
-This is on a similar
note. It's just Bizzy proving he can go hard core as well as anyone.
Favorite track
"Nobody Can
Stop Me" Rumor has it that this track was nearly not
released because Bizzy considered it too personal to share. Well,
we should be glad that he decided to put it on here. It's really
strong and very personal. This is rap (or any music) at its pinnacle.
Total Tracks: 13
Skipped Tracks: 5
Recommend: Borrow
It
Buy it if you like Bizzy
Bone, conscious rap or fast rap. Let it be if you don't dig Bizzy
or you like your rap with a side of Bentleys and platinum.
- The
Great Hart 
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