Hero1

Album Review Seemed like poet/rapper Black Ice's debut album was promised years ago, long before he wowed everyone for five consecutive seasons on HBO's Def Poetry Jam. Stunning appearances on Method Man's Tical 0: The Prequel and Pete Rock's Soul Survivor II -- both released in 2004 -- got people talking, then the "first spoken word artist signed to Def Jam Records" announced two years later his debut was landing on Koch. If his liner note "thank you" to his label ("To KOCH...If the record industry was organized religion, you guys are the yoga center!!!") doesn't convince you the move from major to indie was a smart decision, one listen to the unaffected The Death of Willie Lynch will. First off, there's no parade of superstar guest stars and producers. Instead, Black Ice has enlisted a handful of well-chosen guests and stuck with one producer for the whole shebang, Eric "Booty" Greene. Rather than being a scattershot showoff album, the latter choice keeps Ice's debut flowing like it should, with Greene offering a wealth of ideas without ever losing sight of that "hang together" feeling so many anticipated debuts ignore. It allows Black Ice to roam freely from the opening, bragging track to the heartbreaking "The Ugly Show," which sounds a lot like overhyped rapper #1 addressing parental neglect with a Rose Royce sample. At one point, West gets a shoutout for his famous post-Katrina/anti-Bush statement, but the superstar's influence is only one in a jumble of many that also includes Gil Scott-Heron, Carl Hancock Rux, 2Pac, and Biggie, but winds up sounding uniquely Black Ice. His delivery could be the textbook example of how to lay poems over hardcore rap beats from here on out, and his writing is riveting and remarkably sharp, providing meaningful, eye-level views of hope and despair. Greene and Ice have brilliantly arced the album to punch the listener in the gut with urgency and then slowly weave in the poet/rapper's heart, soul, and personal struggle. Halfway through there's the convincing anthem for abstinence ("Takeyatime") that cops a bit of Slick Rick's "Hey Young World," and at the end of the album there's a sweet and moving tribute to Mom ("The Real"). Just like his influences, Ice offers much more than protest and rebellion, and while his heavy lyrics are perfect for heavy times, The Death of Willie Lynch suggests he's a versatile artist who would still be vital if every wrong was righted. When he declares, "I done prepared a substantial meal for y'all/And the blessings in the batter," it's the truth. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide out now!

tesla obviously has good taste

where have you been :rofl: :rofl: ive had my entire attack armory sabotaged..though i have taken out plenty myself :sick: have a look at chiefs covert force

I got no idea... check http://www.kingsofchaos.com

I can't remember how I think I was on Sony's website and I saw a 30 second clip of the never too busy music video.. Thats all I needed.. Loved it so much rushed out and bought the album. Kenny Lattimore and Chante Moore have a new double album coming out next month covered/uncovered .. the uncovered disc is rnb and the covered disc is gospel.. I wish kenny did another solo album tho.. Chante hogs most of the tracks..and I just wanna hear Kenny :smart:

chief is a sabotage assasin... i obviously spoke too soon.. after taking out abt 12 weapons from other ppl :jusmindyabizness: :jusmindyabizness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLAm_0IX1_c man i love that song :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail:

Anybody wondering where all their weapons have gone yet? :smartass:

twinkle twinkle (i'm not a star)

I got it..some great episodes

yeah Rove is terrible..not a fan :sick: Will's always funny tho

around ali time on aussie tv.. download here: http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?acti...1E0ED916B72B396

yeah freak accident that the scorpion got him in the heart.. R.I.P.. i used to watch the croc hunter when nobody even knew him..he wan't big in australia way back then..

its will's nephew.. wills sisters husbands son..

just cruisin is actually my fav trackmasterz track.. i remember gettin the mib soundtrack and couldnt wait to hear just cruisin.. and loved it!

that robin thicke video was pretty good tho.. :gettinjiggywitit:

That would be alright yeah.. of course Will would have to hit the studio..instead of the 5 movies he has lined up :sick:

They obviously didn't wanna work for a tyrant like you...

:3-laugh3: :3-laugh3: :3-laugh3: instead of changin the censors why dont you just stop talkin abt em... :smart:

yeah that was some weak raps from kyle! :ponder:

and you wonder why we dont have more female members :kekeke: :kekeke:

its good to see wills studio.. but I doubt Will would want his house on youtube! :smart: Im with you.. I doubt Will wants every1 seeing his private home on the internet!! think of all the lorettas out there etc...

wow whats that Schnazz has gone back on his word.. not the first time either..

have fun guys! :gettinjiggywitit: ohh brakes 2 restaurants 2 check out.. pizza rustica for sum pizza.. and for some cuban food.. on collins between 6th and 7th..

thats a very cold stab there big willie... :sorry: