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The
Gift
Bizzy Bone |
I love Bizzy as much
as the next guy, but he is kind of a megalomaniac. What I mean is
that he seems to think everything he does should be met with pomp
and circumstance. This is definitely the case on The Gift.
While I'm not saying anything about the album (yet) Bizzy has this
air like what he is doing is just so epic. Well, in this case it
really isn't.
Bizzy has a few moments
of greatness on Gift. Probably the first time is the second track:
"Don't Be Dumb". Bizzy gets a lot of personal issues
off his chest in this song, but he jumps around a lot. It's obviously
a slam on one or more people that are pissing Bizzy off in his personal
life. I hesitate to take a guess, because I haven't heard it enough
times. Anyway, the song is pretty good, but Bizzy can do better
(and he does on this album.)
The next song that I
listen to on a regular basis is "Murderah". This
song is a true classic. The beat is awesome, but Bizzy stopped too
soon. With a few more additions this beat could be one of the greatest
of all time. Bizzy spills his guts on this song, and it comes off
well. He talks about personal issues as well as issues facing the
ghetto community today. My only question is why the song is called
"Murderah". There is also a blunder in the song
about "If they can stop Sadam from selling missiles / then
why can't they keep people in the ghetto from killing eachother."
Well, it's a good point, but I think Sadam would be more interested
in buying missiles than selling his meager supply. While I'm nitpicking,
Bizzy needs to proofread this shit before he gets my $15.
"Before I Go"
is the absolute pinnacle of the album. The song reaches message-like
ghetto commentary. The song puts Bizzy in the role of a desperate
ghetto dweller, who is going to jail. The song is eerily reminiscent
of The Autobiography of Malcolm X, where Malcolm states jail as
one of his few fears as a hustler on the streets of Harlem. Oddly
enough, Bizzy also discovers religion in jail and defiantly clings
to it, much as the Nation of Islam saved Malcolm. The beat is adequate
and Bizzy does a superlative job on the mic.
"Don't Doubt
Me" is also really good. This is the song where Bizzy addresses
his issues with Bone. He puts the fears to rest by stating his side
of the issue. He emphasizes the mistakes that were made, as well
as the current issues ($$) with Bone. However, he does affirm his
relationships with Bone - "I don't give a fuck, we got history",
is his reply to the Bone's attacks on him. If you've ever had real
friends you know what he means. Everybody talks shit about their
best friends when they're pissed at them - this is the nature of
long-lasting friendships.
It's also worth noting
that "Fried Day" and "Still Thuggish Ruggish"
are pretty good songs. Not being a smoker of weed, I don't really
like songs about it. They don't do much for me unless they're extremely
funny. "Still Thuggish Ruggish" is an above average
Bizzy song. It doesn't merit much in depth analysis but it's not
one to skip on a regular basis.
Nonetheless, Gift does
have a definite downside. One is the sheer amount of mediocre material
that makes its way onto this lp. It has no polish. I literally don't
listen to the songs I haven't talked about here - I don't think
they're any good. Sometimes they fall short due to beats, other
times too much whiny singing ruins the pie, and most times they're
simply weak overall. I think Bizzy's ego gets in the way of his
music occasionally. Sometimes people need to tell Bizzy that an
idea he has is not a good one.
I want Bizzy to rap fast.
This singing, whining, flitting around the beat type style he has
invented is doing nothing for me. I realize it is physically exhausting
to lay it down like Bizzy can, but it is so awesome. Bizzy is tearing
it up less and less. While it does happen on here, it is more of
a rare treat than a standard. I love Bizzy, but I want him to pick
it up a bit more.
This is an average Bizzy
Bone CD, if one can say such a thing exists. This effort stands
out in no way to me. It has its interesting lyrical points. Bizzy
doesn't say nothing on here, but he isn't doing it with much style.
This album has a very stripped down feel to it. Generally Bizzy
didn't put enough effort into any part of this album (my God, look
at the cover). The result is predictable - a record that's interesting
to fans, average to Bone fans, and toilet bowl for the rest of the
rap community.
Favorite line[s]
"Satan's still the
enemy/never been a friend to me/especially in the fast lane/I
can't pretend to be an angel when I'm only a servant."
- Bizzy pays respect
to God in his music on a regular basis. He is a spiritual rapper,
and he doesn't pay God lip service. While some may find this old,
it's cool to see someone who is committed to his beliefs. Bizzy
pays God the respect he deserves - treating the subject in a deep
and meaningful way.
Favorite track
"Before I Go"
The feeling Bizzy puts into this track is awesome. Bizzy pulls
off one of the great performances in rap music by starting at
an average level and raising the song to a desperate crescendo
at the conclusion.
Total Tracks: 15
Skipped Tracks: 9
Recommend:Borrow It
Buy it if you like Bizzy
pass on it if you don't.
- The
Great Hart 
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