Overlooked Emcee #5. Craig Mack
Who is Craig Mack?
In 1994 Bad Boy artist Craig Mack released his debut album, Project: Funk da World. With the charting singles Flava in Ya Ear and Get Down, Mack achieved a gold status album. Unfortunately Biggie Smalls' debut Ready to Die came a week later to overshadow Mack. Craig released only one more album, Operation: Get Down which did not achieve the same success as Funk da World. Did he deserve better? Well let me break Uncle Craig here down.
Project: Funk Da World
This is a rap album intro, i shouldn't need to say much more but Mack does lay down some lines. So You can finally say something is infact half bad. Would've preferred him to just spit for the intro but alright..
Get Down
I'm a reign...rain forever. Rain like bad weather....reign like whoever never
This what i'm talkin' about Craig. Spittin', even though he does make some strange noises in the beginning of the song. Craig lays the foundation for the album with his style here.
Making Moves with Puff feat. Puff Daddy
Bad Boy at one point had a dope ass roster, with the downside of Puffy, also known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Dolphin Teeth and simply Diddy popping up left and right whether in videos or laying down verses. He wasn't writing his rhymes and didn't claim to, but hey Dr. Dre doesn't write his own shit but he has the personality to go along...Puffy really don't. But he only does the hook here so you can excuse his presence. That doesn't stop him from bouncing up and down in the video. Mack's dope, but the beat isn't anything special.
That Y'all
it's like that y'all, that y'all
I have a strange feeling Mack just heard Live at the BBQ. Track's passable.
Flava In Ya Ear
This man's undisputed, In deep rooted funk smoke that leaves your brains booted
Craig Mack's anthem, Flava In Ya Ear. It's weird thinking this was a hit track as it seems it wouldn't possibly be today but Craig holds this down as a classic. Think of it as his Juicy if you haven't heard it before. Beats some spaced out shit too, probably put your mind in some strange places if you're buzzed to it.
Funk Wit Da Style
So sit back, relax, Mack's about to attack, And turn your flav into Similac cause it's like that
The album picks up a bit, the beat switches in this unique use of what sounds like bells ringing. Which may or may not be your thing. Pretty solid follow up.
Judgement Day
Mark the year, 1994... when MC's hit the floor
One of the best tracks overall on the album, in his words it's judgement day for MCs and he's the King putting them all to the test and he proves himself rather well.
Real Raw
"I can get real raw.." plus my style is hardcore. I'm Craig Mack, comin in at your backdoor
My rhymes hit hard, no games like ping-pong, I'm strong (like who Craig?) Kong!
I prefer this over Judgement Day, it's what the name is. Raw rhyming brought by our host and done very nicely, you may notice there's not too much being said about some of these tracks and that's an issue i'll get to later in the review.
Mainline
Now this is the type of beats that were needed on this album, it's muthafuckin' banging. Craig rocks it, proving he can throw it down outside his comfort zone just a tad in the least.
When God Comes
No need for fronting his time has almost came, and the last rhyme ya hear bears Craig Mack's name
Switching into more of an actual topic Craig spits about people who won't know what to do when God comes. It's alright, wouldn't call it great or bad. Just rather "ehh..." on how he does the topic. Was really hoping he'd bring something a little extra to it.
Welcome to 1994
Hey folks, welcome to 1994, have a seat Uncle Craig's about to rap. This is a fun little ending to the album, Craig just does his job on the beat and ends it off calmly.
The Highlights:
Flava in Ya Ear
Real Raw
The Lowlight:
Project: Funk da World
The Gem:
Mainline
Is it Worth a Purchase?
There's not idea or topic here to blow your mind but Mack is very, very solid on the mic and that's not me giving enough credit. He just needed an edge in personality to bump this up. I'd recommend a buy but don't overpay if you find it. Or at least here the highlights and see if Craig's for you, but this isn't an essential LP. Its similar to Infinite in the lack of topics to care about but Craig here is 10x above the MCs Kon, Em, and Eye were on that album. Feeling strong C+, maybe light B-.
Overall Grade: C+
Did He Deserve Better?
Craig Mack is not the most creative guy...as you can tell by some of the lack of enthusiasm i've had for this album. Craig is a great emcee, he can spit, he's lyrical but he doesn't tackle really any topics or concepts besides "i'm good at rapping." I suppose that's better than bragging about money or cars, but it's not too interesting. Mack does bring something to the table but it's just not very unique which is sad given how good he is on the mic. the beats also suit him but most of them fade into one another without much difference.
Flava In Ya Ear (Remix) feat. Biggie Smalls, Rampage, LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes
What is this Esco? You may be asking. Well given my distaste of Puffy he is a genius in the music business, or at least he was. He remixed Flava in Ya Ear with the then Bad Boy crew to create a classic posse cut. It's not on the album because i believe it was released later, but if this was on as even a bonus i would considering bumping the rating up. So in honor of this classic i'm going to review and rate each verse.
The Notorious B.I.G
Niggas is mad i get more butt than ashtrays, fuck a fair one i get mine the fast way...ski mask way
Biggie tears shit up in the opening. Another track that helped launch the legend we now know. This shits worth hearing alone and he does outshine everyone else here as the least known cat, albeit Rampage. A
Craig Mack
I smash teeth, fuck your beef, no relief. I step on stage, girls scream like I'm Keith
One of Craig's best moments in the game, he delivers a dope ass verse that follows Biggie through. Some slick lines and braggadocious like shit that actually fit him. I knew you could be a fun guy Uncle Craig. A-
Rampage
I make other rappers have doubts!
Rampage is the cousin of Busta Rhymes and often overlooked as well. He comes in very solid with some very nice lines and provides a verse worth hearing and not skipping over. B
LL Cool J
Now...LL is my mane. Ladies Love Cool James is a hop hop pioneer and legend with classic ass albums. However...this was a bit past his prime. James still showed some signs of dope shit here and there but this verse is straight nonsense. He just stares at a chicks ass and makes suggestive noises and shouts "delicious!" I don't skip it though, shits hilarious. I'll drop a higher rating just because his delivery is dope, and it's legendary comedy. D+
Busta Rhymes
YO! Yo! Yo!!!
That's what i remember. Busta went off, off the fucking charts in insanity. He's too over the top for this beat, not that his lines are wack but hell he's too energetic compared to the past emcees. Wasn't bad though. C
Now Go get some Flava in Ya Ear Until Next Time, One Love.
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