A Quick Review: The Villain in Black by MC Ren

The bigger the cap, the bigger the peelin', who gives a fuck about a punk ass villain?

Words of Ice Cube in his legendary diss against his former band mates N.W.A. No Vaseline hit hard with truth and that was unfortunately one of them. MC Ren went overlooked for the rest of his career. Dre birthed into an amazing producer and had two great albums (granted he didn't write them), and is not the first billionaire in Hip hop history. Ice Cube published multiple classic LPs and secured his spot as one of the greatest, and Eazy-E made waves with his solo career and shots at Dr. Dre. I believe DJ Yella makes porn now but that's irrelevant. But what about MC Ren? Both Ren and the Arabian Prince were sent into irrelevancy but let's focus on the former. Was it deserved? I'll say no.

Yeah radio suckas never play me, but you hear bitch made niggas on the daily

Ren's sophomore album pulled no punches and he said everything he felt. Taking shots at the radio before it was cool. Given his debut Shock of the Hour did make some moves in Hip hop as did his previous EP but that seemed to all for Ren. Seeing his attitude and ruthlessness on The Villain in Black it's no surprise. Ren feels authentic in every word and you believe him when you hear him.

But i'm a god damn soldier it's my time to rule. Callin' hits like the Mafia from a bar stool

The album is similar to N.W.A's group work in his "I don't give a fuck" attitude but it's not played out. The production rather different from the traditional Compton sound but it remains solid. If there's any flaw here it may be that he seems to say bitch nigga in every track, and comes off rather bitter at times. You could say he had a right to be so angry.

I been away from the public cause i'm an enemy. With the black beanie, disappear like Houdini

The Highlights:

Bitch Made Nigga Killa

It's Like That

Live from Compton Saturday Night

The Lowlight:

I don't give a damn

The Gem:

Mind Blown

Is it Worth a Purchase?

It may be a struggle to find, so you can hear some online and decide if you want to hunt it down or just order it off your computer. It's not shiny or clean cut like some of the heavier produced albums of the time, but if you want a fuck radio album. It's for you. Wouldn't call it an essential purchase though. Try it out first.

Overall Grade: B

Ren's supposed to be working with Ice Cube on his new LP this, year guess we'll see how that turns out. Til Next Time. One Love.