Penicillin on WAX by Tim Dog Review

Overlooked Emcee #2. Tim Dog

Who is Tim Dog?

Tim Dog is a South Bronx emcee who got his start in 1989. His name started making noise once he took shots at Compton's famed group, N.W.A. The Niggaz Wit Attitude were the new movement in Hip Hop, and the East Coast were taking a back seat. Tim Dog however was having none of that shit. Dog might not have been fuckin' around, Tim committed grand larceny and was sentenced to five years probation and set to pay a fine. In 2013 Tim Dog was announced deceased...or was he? There was no funeral, or autopsy. He may have been hiding out to avoid paying the fine, his current status is unknown. There's still a warrant for his arrest, but let's drift off of that. Was Dog worthy of the controversy? Let's hit his first album up.

Intro

Multiple people talk shit on Eazy-E and Compton. Some i'm certain are Dog himself. A Slick Rick impersonator also pops in, as does what seems to be the real MC Shan. it's actually kind of funny.

Low Down Nigga

Pretty solid opener, our host shoots down in his words "low down niggas" and puts himself over those people. It pumps you up a bit for the rest of the nonsense certain to occur.

Robin Harris (Skit)

Comedian Robin Harris shit talks Compton. I got nothin' for you.

Fuck Compton

"Why you dissin' Eazy?" Cause the boy Ain't shit!

The famous diss is here. Aimed at..not so much Compton or even N.W.A but at Dr. Dre and Eazy-E. He does take a shot at Cube and even says he's cool with Ice-T but the main focus is Dre and E. Not even Ren or any other West Coast rappers. This to me seems like Dog was pissed at their behavior and not their new found fame. Some of his aggression seems to be from a genuine place. Also poking shots at Dre beating up Dee Barnes. Which if i do say so, Dre did in fact deserve at least seven ass beatin's from Tim Dog for that sucka shit.

Dre, Beatin' on Dee from Pump It Up? Step to the Dog and Get Fucked up!

He also sounds like the hero here. He picks on the negatives of Dre and Eazy rather than were they're from.

Fightin' over colors? All That Gang shits for Dumb muthafuckas!

His delivery is also hilariously good. And no, Pac and Big did not die because of this. This went rather unnoticed post N.W.A. The group crumbled at Ice Cube's hands and Dog went on his way. It's a 20 year old beef, it ain't nothing to be offended at in 2014.

DJ Quik Beatdown (skit)

DJ Quik gets rolled on, guess he did hate Compton as a whole.

Step To Me

DJ Quik, He can suck my dick

Ok, he did hate Compton just a tad. He threatens to Tec-9 the whole city. He also goes light on his MC Ren diss and even gives Cube props for stomping NWA. I'd imagine this was written post Fuck Compton by at least months, seeming to now have a respect for Cube and at least a bit of respect to Ren. Quik? sorry bruh. It is a dope track.

Phone Conversation With Reporter (skit)

You're killin' me with the skits Dog. At least its humorous.

Bronx Nigga

Rollin' around with my 10-man crew

Little excessive there. 10 dudes? Aight. This is actually a tale of Tim hunting down a guy for messing with his little brother. Tim ain't a bad story teller man. The tale drifts into other subject such as cop killin' and fuckin the hoes, yo. But it works. Po-po ain't fuckin' with the Dog.

You Ain't Shit

He steps from shitting on the West to dissing party rappers with no substance. This may be more relevant now than ever. Who woulda thought Tim Dog could foresee the future? Beats almost sounds like a parody of party rap.

I Ain't Takin' No Shorts

Tim's a little more respectful here. He tells you to love your family, fuck tha government doe.

NFL Shit (skit)

Cmon Tim, you dont know what ya doin' to me here

I'll Wax Anybody

Anybody gon' die at Tim Dog's hands. Random shots whipped back and forth. it's not a bad track. Also, suckas can drink his piss. 

Michel'le Conversation (Skit)

Tim was really pissed at Dr. Dre. His mother musta been beat up by a man or something, because god damn he's out to home wreck Dre's life. Even though rumors did surface of the Doctor beating his own wife too, damn.

Can't Fuck Around

This is okay, i'm hoping for better material if we got this many damn skits.

Dog's Gonna Getcha

Our host goes out of his damn mind and growls about beating dudes with bats. This is certain to wake you up. I think this has some heavy influence on DMX's career and life in general. I enjoyed this more than i'm willing to admit in public.

Goin' Wild in the Penile

A slice of some story telling dropped again. His ability to spin a tale isn't half bad doe. He breaks down prison and his survival in it. Can't say i've heard too many tracks taking place in prison with this form of detail.

Get Off The Dick feat. Kool Keith (not really)

We know for a fact he has at least one rapper friend. Keith doesnt spit over this. Some girls see Dog and fantasize over him, i'm not comfortable with the thought of him as a ladies man. Then he goes off on them for being gold diggers. Can't say he only does one topic, i give him credit. I'm still fully interested in this how many tracks and skits later.

I Ain't Havin' It feat. Kool Keith (for real this time)

It's been a fuckin' long time

Keith goes about people who dont give a shit about anymore because he doesn't have a hit out. He then invites Dog to speak his mind...in case there's a chance he wouldn't. They're a solid combo. Keith is the only guest the entire album, and no i'm not counting any of Tim's impressions. He also says there's a subliminal message that he won't ever sell out and he's a real criminal. Well, shit.

Patriotic Pimp

Along with Casualties of the Dice Game, the greatest title ever in Hip Hop. The actual music? it's not awful. But i felt the last ones more.

Secret Fantasies feat. Kool Keith

The end has arrived. How does it finish off? Very discomforting. I am not okay with my ears hearing this. I'd considering suing for sexual harassment if this album wasn't 20 some years old and Tim Dog wasn't "dead." Does not fit the album at all, and i'm disturbed. Seriously, i may never get over this. If you have a good number to a therapist, Esco would appreciate it.

The Highlights:

Fuck Compton

Low Down Nigga

Step To Me

The Lowlight:

Secret Fantasies..oh god...the scars

The Gem:

Goin' Wild in the Penile

Is It Worth a Purchase?

Yes. Tim is not lyrical beast like he claims but damn this album is interesting all around. Despite that terrifying ending, you're kept interested and at least amused by his mannerisms and aggression. Production is also bangin' by god. He's a bit too cheesy at times in his delivery but i'd be bullshitting if i said i wasn't into it. It's also historically significant to the genre. Should've ended a track or two earlier though...and the skits.

Overall Grade: B

Did He Deserve Better?

Why not? Everyone needs to hear Tim Dog at least once in life. He's basically a God in my eyes at this point.

Have fun where ever you are Dog. Overlooked Emcees "Week" is coming to a close....but with who...? Until Next Time, One Love.

The Big Picture by Big L Review

In 1999, Lamont Coleman better known as Big L was shot nine times and murdered, for reasons still up for debate. Not only did this event take the life of a promising rapper, but it also left his final album unfinished. The album was left in good hands though, with producers like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Lord Finesse and Showbiz. Multiple all star guest appearances were on the album as well, including Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, and the late 2Pac. The LP did surprisingly go gold, most likely fueled on his death. But how is the finished product?

The Big Picture (Intro)

The intro is a live recording of L on stage, with the man introducing him taking an odd shot at LL Cool J. But anyhow, it's a nice tribute to him.

Ebonics

That's just the way that i talk yo

Sampling, It Ain't Hard to Tell, L breaks down street slang. One of his most famous tracks. Still holds up, even though some of the lines are dated. He never drifts off topic.

Size 'Em Up

Yo I shoulda been out, I'm deadly when I pull the pen out. Keep frontin' i'ma try ya chin out. I knocked a lot of men out, leave 'em on the floor spitting phlegm out. It's either that or i'ma squeeze the gat and pop ten out

The opening of this track is amazing work by L. The rest of the entry follows up just as strong with shout outs to lost MCs Biggie Smalls and 2Pac.

Deadly Combination feat. 2Pac

Speaking of, Makaveli himself has a verse here. I can't say i've seen too many rappers get verses from deceased MCs on their studio albums (except Nas's God's Son) but it's alright. Not their best but it's posthumous work.

98 Freestyle

Yo Fuck all that glamours and glitz, i plan to get rich. I'm New York and never was a fan of the Knicks If you're and L Fan you probably know every line of this by heart by now. What else is there to say? It's an all time great freestyle.

Holdin' It Down feat. AG, Miss Jones, and Stan Spit

Some what of a step down from the past few tracks. This Stan Spit fellow is kinda eh...AG holds up fine though. Miss Jones is solid, I always liked her voice.

The Heist

It's not a tale of complexity but it doesn't need to be. Decent story telling and it delivers on it's purpose.

The Enemy feat. Fat Joe

I believe this is also on D.I.T.C's album. It doesn't matter either way. Primo delivers a great beat, L holds it down. Fat Joe's mildly irritating in it.

Fall Back feat. Kool G Rap

Legend G Rap steps into L's memorial and unfortunately the hook he drops is a bit of a miss. Verses I don't mind though.

Flamboyant

We bust until ya whole team ghost

Similar to Size 'em Up in a less violent manner. Great entry, one of his most notable songs. However..the beat is really not fitting. I've found some far better remixes with better instrumentals. Shame the verses had to suffer for it.

Casualties of a Dice Game

Me and my man was cruisin' through the streets and everything was flowin' nice

Now this is story telling at it's finest. Slick Rick would tip his hat (or Eye patch) in honor of this. The beat is very suspenseful in this as well, James Bond like.

Platinum Plus feat. Big Daddy Kane

Premier back on the table mixing it up, random interjection of Jay-Z. Who's not on the album despite being close with Lamont...hmm..different thoughts. Big L drops a solid, and offensive verse and Kane does what he does best.

Who You Slidin' Wit? Feat. Stan Spit

Mr. Spit, I would not like to hear you again. Especially not on a Big L album.

Games feat. Guru and Sadat X

Fitting the other half of Gang Starr hopped on the project. Bit of a let down overall though.

The Heist Revisited

Just a remixed version of the Heist. Let's just move along.

The Triboro feat. Fat Joe, Remy Ma, and O.C.

I don't dislike Fat Joe, well I do a little. But he is not really good on this album, at all. Remy's passable, O.C. and L just hold this up on their own.

The Highlights:

Ebonics

Size 'Em Up

Platinum Plus 

The Lowlight:

Who You Slidin' Wit?

The Gem:

Casualties of a Dice Game

Is it Worth a Purchase?

I'm fairly certain his debut Lifestylez, is out of print. So you may want to go for this. There's a few missteps but it's an album of great punchlines and a celebration of Big L's life. Similar to Endangered Species for Big Pun. Just a shame he didn't get to finish this himself.

Overall Grade: B

Until Next Time, One Love.

The Lost Tapes by Nas Review

Little known fact, i am a bit of a Nas fan...Shocker I know. And in 2002 he released two albums. God's Son and The Lost Tapes. This album went mainly unrecognized as it was a collection of unused or leaked songs from albums like I Am... and Nastradamus which were meant to be a double album and possibly Stillmatic as well. There is quite a bit of praise for this album despite it just being archived songs so why not review it?

Doo Rags

The doo rags are back, fitted hats, snorkels and furs. Riker's Island buses still packed what's the word? In a very nostalgic manner Nas opens up the album recalling his childhood in the projects in a positive manner. Very relaxing song overall.

My Way

Here Nasir describes how he wants to live his life, hence "my way." Relaxing beat as well, following the positive tone and life reflection from Doo Rags.

U Gotta Love It

Nas goes through the negatives of his life and says in the end you still gotta love life regardless. At least that's what I interpreted. Solid follow up.

Nothing Lasts Forever

Everything will eventually come to an end. So try to savor the moment, cause time flies don't it?

That quote can sum this track up better than I can. Just a cautionary entry without getting in your face.

No Idea's Original

What you base your happiness around? Material, women, and large paper. That means you're inferior not major

The title says it all really. No idea is original anymore and Nas drops some slick wordplay here.

Everybody had money, every summer was real ill. Four finger rings, dope dealers 'caine (Kane) "No Half Steppin'" with flat tops

Blaze a 50

A beat that picks this LP up fast and Nas blasts right in driving a car with a fine woman who in his words could make Bobby divorce Whitney. (and now I wish he did) Channeling Slick Rick, Nas tells a story of well...fucking. Of course it evolves into something else but that's the gist anyhow.

Everybody's Crazy

Not a bad track...but not really good. On this album anyhow. Just doesn't fit in for the tone of the previous entries.

Purple

I don't like the way Diddy did Shyne with different lawyers. Why's it in my rhymes? Fuck it.

Letting you know, he don't give a fuck. Nas just says what comes to mind while care free and it works. Maybe the best beat as well.

Drunk by Myself

Some of you out there might just relate to this song, or even the title. Take that how you will. Here Nasty's a lone man tired of life and he's drinking alone. He doesn't come off as whiny either. But this actually turns into a story of him driving drunk trying to reach his destination alive.

Black Zombie

Talking about the stereotyping of black males in the media and those who follow the stereotype in a negative way? Oh my controversy. But not really this song went unrecognized but there's some serious points here. Some socially conscious shit as he's used to doing.

Poppa Was a Playa

Poppa was a playa...Playa wasn't poppa...Poppa loved the ladies...never got enough of

Telling his upbringing with his neglectful father (later appearing on Street's Disciple), Nas says he's disappointed with how his father brought him up but he still loves him for being there. Very mature and well thought out. He hates how his father chose his Jazz band over his family and the cheating on his mother but still appreciates him for being there.

Fetus

Whaaaaattt? If you check the track listing this song does not appear. This is an unmarked bonus after Playa. Nas finishes strong with a story to tell from the point of view of being in his mother's womb. Creative to say the least.

The Highlights:

Poppa Was a Playa

Doo Rags

Purple

The Lowlight:

Everybody's Crazy

The Gem:

Black Zombie, but technically Fetus since it's unlisted.

Is it Worth a Purchase?

For sure, a very relaxing 12 track album by Nas with very political stand points and social commentary. It's a whole album of gems and buried classics. Fantastic production as well. There's also three remixes on the Japan release but i'd leave those alone.

Overall Grade: A- 

Until next time, One Love.

The Great Adventures of Slick Rick Review

Not including who it's by because it just goes without saying. MC Ricky D of Doug E. Fresh fame released his debut album in 1988 and reached #1 on the Hip Hop/R&B charts. The album even went platinum and launched Rick into Hip hop legend. Is the supposed greatest story teller in the genre's history as good as he was built up to be? Does the album stand the test of time? Well,

Treat Her Like a Prostitute

Treat 'em like a prostitute (Do What?) Don't treat no girlie well until you're sure of the scoop. Cause all they do is they hurt and trample Listen up close, here comes my first example

In three separate chapters Rick details a man having his heart broken by either hearing his pregnant wife cheated, she blew a mail man, or she called out the wrong name in bed. You may find it a bit misogynistic but hey! Ricky's looking out for your best interest. Don't refuse the Ruler's help. Biz Markie wouldn't have had his lady troubles if he heard this album. Bangs in the whip too.

The Ruler's Back

Gather 'round party goers as if your still living, and get on down to the old Slick rhythm

Maybe it's because of his London roots, but Slick's got something different to him. He always sounds like he's inviting you into his world instead of rubbing it in your face and bragging. There's a lot of quotables in here too.

Now in these times, at least to me, There's a lot of people out here tryin' to sound like Ricky D

He's also a prophet, given Jay-Z bit this line for himself.

Children's Story

Once upon a time, not long ago. When people wore pajamas and lived life slow

Pajamas was a fashion thing in 1985 by the way. What Can i truly say about this? It's a cautionary tale of the crime life that Rick advised against. Given his violent history, you still can't say he's ever told anyone to commit any crime or promoted it. It's a classic tale. The Video's also hilarious.

The Moment I Feared

Yet another cautionary tale in the light of Children's Story but in a first person point of view. We're seeing it through Rick's eyes (or well hearing it) and it's gripping but I wouldn't say it's better than the former track.

Let's Get Crazy

I expected this to be about sex when I first heard, nope. Just warming up for a party. It's passable. Maybe it sounds better on the way to an actual house party. I wouldn't know, i'm a loser. 

But it's all good, Party by myself, Right Ricky?

Indian Girl (An Adult Story)

Well this is disturbing. If you haven't heard this i'm going to have to spoil the ending to discuss it. Here Davy Crockett meets a young Indian Girl and they have dinner together and well...he rapes her. Rick does the voice of the girl(...and i'll burn in hell for laughing at it) with a rather disgusting end result. You're likely thinking this is just some nasty song but there's a hidden theme of this representing the Native American downfall in the US. A very rarely discussed topic in Hip hop, it's an idea to think about.

Teenage Love

Don't hurt me again...

Fun fact, a young Lil' Kim appears in the video for this. As does Big Daddy Kane drinking a 40 in a plastic bag. It's an overall sweet song, drags a bit to be honest.

Mona Lisa

Ricky D meets a young girl named, you guessed it! Mona fuckin' Lisa downtown and he takes her out and they have a grand ol' time well not exactly. It's a greatly told story, similar to Teenage Love but more upbeat.

Kit (What's the Scoop?)

This story actually involves the car from Knight Rider. Except owned by the Ruler himself. Do I need to tell you anything else?

Hey Young World

Young world, young world. The world is yours

Even before Pete Rock and Nas said it, Ricky D told the kids the world is theirs and to take advantage of it.

Teacher, Teacher

In this story, some vandals attack Rick with machetes and threaten to kill him...if he doesn't teach them to rap...? Then a police officer saves Slick and calls him by his rap name. Likely scenario, i believe this happened completely. 

Lick the Balls

Uh. Well. That's a title. I'm surprised Monica Lewinsky didn't write a new book under that title when she resurfaced earlier this year. It's actually about partying not meeting a woman and receiving the licking of the balls. This is the end, can't even argue.

The Highlights:

Treat Her like a Prostitute

Children's Story

The Ruler's Back

The Lowlight:

Let's Get Crazy

The Gem:

Teacher, Teacher

Is it Worth a Purchase?

There's a song called Lick the Balls, what else do you need? But in seriousness (that wasn't serious?), this whole album is chock full of great story telling, the beats are also great for the most part. Done by Slick, Jam Master Jay, Hank Shocklee, and Eric Sadler. Some of the production is a tad aged but it isn't overwhelming out dated.

Overall Grade: A

The cover is also inspiration for the art on Nas's Stillmatic, fun fact and shit. Until next time, One Love.

Nobody's Smiling by Common Review

Nobody's Smiling by Common Review

Despite some jokes earlier I am not the biggest Common fan. I like him, i like his ability and some of his music but i've never been a huge fan of his work. Be was a great album, he certainly has a solid back catalog but when i heard about Nobody's Smiling I had some mixed thoughts. Given Sense is a Chicago native is he going to tackle the problems obviously going on in the newly named "Chiraq?" Well, he would as we found it. It's a ten track LP and I will go over the three bonus tracks. I can say, I am more surprised than you are at what I'm going to say here.

The Neighborhood feat. Lil Herb and Cocaine 80s

But be careful don't drown in the gold. I know it glows but it's cold

The Cocaine 80s are a collective of Chicago artists including namely Common and No I.D., if you were unaware. I've never heard of this Lil Herb guy, but he does his job here. One of the Cocaine 80s members sings the opening very well and I was pleasantly sucked into this track. Referring to Common's upbringing in Chicago during the real crack boom, very good opening.

No Fear

Sitting on stairs, in street affairs. Jordan Airs, hes got at least seven pairs

Great point there Common. With people growing up in poverty and broken homes, buying Jordans and jewelry would be the last thing you'd imagine someone would go for. Common also provides some words to his daughter and most likely meant to influence a lot of the young girls out there.

Living life with no fear. Putting that truth in my baby girl's ear. Told her that dudes gonna want some ass, and whatever you do, do it with class

+1 for the Biggie Smalls reference

Diamonds feat. Big Sean

Fuck. This. Shit. Big Sean you may the least talented motherfucka in Hip hop the day Gudda Gudda retires. This corn ball straight up sucked the life outta this shit with his whiny ass voice. No love dawg, no respect. Whole heartily I say, Fuck you Big Sean. Sense is good here as you'd expect but Lil Sean goes on for so damn long at the outro with his squeaky ass voice. Straight ass cheese bruh.

Blak Majik feat. Jhene Aiko

Made something out of nothing, that's blak majik

The hook here is actually done well by someone who really does have more musical talent than a fucking dung beetle like Little man back there. Common is much more triumphant here in his success from leaving the situations that went down in Chicago.

Speak My Piece 

Technically featuring the Notorious B.I.G with a sample of his voice chopped on the chorus. References to Hip hop greats like Biggie, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Slick Rick, and Doug E. Fresh. This follows a similar tone to Blak Majik.

Hustle Harder feat. Dreezy and Snoh Aalegra

Black and blue outside his soul, carries a heart of gold

Dreezy is really the last name i'd pick in 2014 but that's irrelevant. The MC's alright here, no complaints about him. This is more specifically that Comm has taken a beating in life time and time again but he isn't giving up and he's still going. Well...not really it is for the chorus then it's about a girl. The verses go on about a girl who's hustling to get what she wants then in the last bars Comm salutes young girls out there with big dreams struggling to get what they want.

Nobody's Smiling feat. Malik Yusef

Back to what you'd expect from this LP, the struggle of Chicago and it's overly unnecessary murder rate. The Malik also pretty decent in his verse, he's more just of an icing on the cake of this song overall as some of these features tend to be. (Unless you're big Sean)

Real feat. Elijah Blake

A star is born in a Chicago storm. The name is Common, I'm anything but the norm

Well put Common Sense. The hook refers to the people that seem to so badly want to be of the criminal lifestyle and clearly don't fit it. I enjoyed this.

Kingdom feat. Vince Staples

Second row of the church with my hood on. My homie used to rap, he was about to get put on, At his funeral, listening to this church song

I believe this is the longest track here, how is it? Just...awesome. There's not a dull moment in it. Vince Staples delivers the best guest appearance on the album bar none. I was borderline ready to hit repeat after this. Everything about its, especially production which i'll get to that later on.

Rewind That

In dedication to lost producer and friend of Common, J Dilla. This would normally be a depressing listen but similar to some past tracks the beat is very triumphant. Like you're gone, but you'll always be with us. This is what a lot of memorial tracks should sound like. It's personal and very sad but it doesn't bring you down, it can almost pick you up when you're in those state of minds. May be one of Common's brightest moments.

Deluxe Tracks

Out On Bond feat. Vince Staples

This is a story told by the view of a man being released from the pen and going back into society. It's a very solid bonus for a deluxe edition. I certainly prefer it over that Diamonds shit. Would recommend hearing this.

7 Deadly Sins

I heard this a matter of hours ago and i can hardly remember it. I was like "man this is great!" but i didn't realize the track had been over for a minute now. Forgettable to be honest. Or maybe its just me

Young Hearts Run Free feat. Cocaine 80s

I've heard that this track may be a spiritual successor to I Used to Love H.E.R. I can see that, and i don't think it is as good but it is a great listen.

The Highlights:

Kingdom

Rewind That

Blak Majik

The Lowlight:

Diamonds feat. Medium Sean

The Gem:

Speak My Piece

Is it Worth a Purchase?

I was genuinely blown away by this project. The top notch production, the quotable bars, the great guest appearances. (well Most of 'em...) I do hope this wins something this year, I'm holding this as my top project of 2014 right now. I haven't heard everything this year of course and i'll drop plenty of more 2014 reviews and hear some without reviewing but, i don't know if this will be surpassed to me. I'm teetering on an A- and an A. Feeling a very strong A-, maybe an A in the future. Pick this up.

Overall Grade: A-

Love that type at the bottom. Until Next Time, One Love.