Reviews (127)

Does Denzel rap? Does Morgan Freeman rap? Come on!!!!
Let me start by saying that I was a Will Smith fan from WAY back in HS/college days. "Summertime" and "Parents Just Don't Understand" are hip-hop/party legends.

But I tried listening to some of the samples from this new album. Here's my verdict: Will Smith is way too old and way too A-List for this; he clearly needs to give up rapping like Jerry Rice needs to give up football!!!!!

Will Smith is an Academy-caliber actor now and don't need to be foolin' with rhymin! You see, his name is being spoken of more and more in the same breath as the likes of Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, etc., and less and less with the Snoop Doggs of the world (and even Snoop can act a little bit.)

I did listen to part of "Switch" is OK, sorta kinda, but Will's whole shtick in the '80's and '90s was being the goofy geek dude next door (that's why I as a Black nerd liked his stuff as I could relate to it), but this trying to be all hardcore and stuff, sounding angry and defiant like other rappers and mimicing their styles, ain't cuttin' it. Will Smith does not strike me as angry and defiant - except in his "sci-fi hits".

Now, I'm a father myself and I do not like today's gangsta rap, but come on now, Will Smith is not my first choice as the alternative. I would rather direct serious hip-hop fans to people like Common, Kanye West or even KRS-One, who came on the scene about the same time as Will did - and is still defining the genre!!!!

Now I realize Will is a comedian (people were comparing him to Eddie Murphy), and I realize even back in the day, Will was more of a "fun" and "radio friendly" rapper rather than hardcore and underground, and I realize he knows people see him as a movie star but he wants to rhyme anyway because that's his roots. That having been said, I think I like my rappers to be real rappers. I listened to parts of the latest KRS-One and KRS just makes it sound so easy compared to Will.

Will Smith is an actor. He is a damn good comedic AND dramatic actor and there needs to be more Black actors who can be seen in the history of cinema as best of the best. Will Smith seriously needs to focus on getting his Oscar (and join the ranks of Denzel and Sidney Poitier - not bad company if you ask me!!!!) and leave the world of rap and hip-hop to the rappers.

It's like the way it was watching Eddie Murphy try to have a singing career. It makes one shudder.

Better than a cure for AIDS? MTV says it is!

Ugh. Will Smith has lost whatever appeal he had a decade ago.

His peak was in 1996 when he let his Fresh Prince TV series become canceled in favor for starring in Independence Day. By 1997 he'd out with a comeback album (Big Willie Style) and the Men in Black movie. But two good singles and a pretty popcorn flick couldn't save his career after the awfulness that was Wild Wild West.

Seen the 'MTV in Africa' show that the channel did to "commemorate" (ahem *exploit*) the beautiful-but-troubled country of Africa? Instead of trying to raise money to eradicate the AIDS disease (which effects a whopping one out of four people in Africa), MTV sent Will Smith over there to perform such braindead songs as "Switch" and "Party Starter" to promote the new MTV channel that all the rich people in Africa are going to get. Are songs like "Party Starter" better than a cure for the rampant disease? MTV says so.

By the way, the title "Lost and Found" must allude to how Will has lost his creative identity and dignity, and has yet to find it again. In short, this album sucks, and so does the heartless marketing campaign behind it.

lost and found-one of the best albums for 2005
when were bombarded with so much repetitiveness in pop music today, this album is a breath of fresh air. Switch, although hitting top ten in the states, is not even one of the albums best songs-just look at tell me why, party starter and lost and found. Worth purchasing.

best will smith yet!
I am a HUGE Will Smith fan. I think he is talented, charming, funny, self-effacing and confident.I have most of his albums... and although I love them, I can admit that many of the songs sound alike, and many of the lyrics are similar.Not so with "Lost and Found."Will goes beyond his normal beats & phrases (tho he does throw in a number of "Mike Check"s!) and brings in lots of other sounds (like the strings on one track).His lyrics also have a depth to them that was lacking in his other albums, such as those in "Ms Holy Roller" -

"The greatest atrocities ever committed on this planet have been in the
name of God
This country was founded by Puritans, for the expressed purpose of
oppression-free worship"

and in "WHY" -

"souls are captured
Dreams are stolen, hearts are broken
Evil blatantly rewarded
Hate surrenders, Love exalted
Hope elated, negativity is shorted"

All I can say is "True Dat!"and BUY THIS CD!

Rap for the people who don't like Rap.
I'll admit it, I'm not a huge rap fan. I listened to Lifesavas and Blackalicious and that got me into it. Will Smith attracted me more to rap. Every song has excellent, listenable lyrics. This man has been doing it since before I was born, and he knows his stuff.

He's not kidding, and not exaggerating when he says that other rappers wouldn't be where they are without him.

Saying he's too old is a ridiculous and rude comment, and not to mention completely wrong. Will Smith makes every other rapper look bad, especially garbage like 50 cent and other "Semi-Annual-LP" rappers. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Nice Summary of the Exception to the Rule of 1990s Rap
In a genre consisting of "hardcore" artists like Busta Rhymes, 2Pac, and Public Enemy, the general public found Will Smith's easy-going style as a welcome exception to the rule of rap- at least for a time. During the late 1980s and 1990s, both solo and with DJ Jazzy Jeff, Smith created a number of novelty records that have remarkably stood the test of time. And this issue of GREATEST HITS, which came at a time when Smith's glory days had presumably passed, showcases his power pretty well.

All of Smith's solo hits are accounted for, and the best of them- "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It"; "Men in Black"; "Miami"- rank among the best songs of their time. As for his tenure with DJ Jazzy Jeff, the collection gathers big hits like "Parents Just Don't Understand"; "Summertime"; and "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble." But it does not dip into the Fresh Prince years enough (most likely due to contractual restrictions), leaving out good songs like "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson"; "Ring My Bell"; and "Boom! Shake the Room."

Those missing songs may keep GREATEST HITS from being a dynamite collection, but it still features most of the heavy hitters that Smith created. And that alone should make for a nice entertaining collection on one of the most popular rappers in the 1990s. A lightweight rapper, perhaps, at least when compared to other artists of the genre, but one that sure had skills.

Fun Rap
If you are looking for a hardcore or gangsta hip-hop album, I suggest you look somewhere else. This album does not have any hardcore or gangsta lyrics on it. It's simply a rap CD done for fun.

The best part of the album is the fact that Will doesn't have to curse every second. Don't get me wrong, though. I would listen to any hardcore rap album any day. I just listen to this CD when I feel like relaxing, or when I want a break from all the new stuff that's hitting the shelves these days. The songs are just fun, laid back, and easy to listen to.

I have to say that the songs that are with DJ Jazzy Jeff are better than Will's more recent songs. "Parents Just Don't Understand" is my favorite song. It's about Will having troubles with his mom and dad because they have him where awful clothes to school and beat him to death after he picks up a runaway in a car when he doesn't have a license to drive! The song is hilarious! "Nightmare On My Street" is about Will being terrorized in his sleep by Freddy Kruger, who wants Will to join him in killing people. "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble" is a track about Will getting into a mess 3 different times because of girls he meets. This one is pretty funny, too. "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" is the full version. It's very catchy, as most who's seen the show will know. I usually rap along.

His more recent songs include "Just the Two of Us", which is a nice song dedicated to his son. "Will 2K", a nice song to dance to about the new millenium. "Miami" which states Will's love for the city Miami. Who can forget "Gettin Jiggy Wit' It" and Freakin it"?

There is also the songs made from his movies. "Wild Wild West", "Men In Black", and "Nod YA Head" are all nice songs to go with the movies he's starred in. Oh, and who can forget the summertime classic, "Summertime"? You have to play this in your car for the summer.

Like I said before, this isn't full of hardcore rhymes. It's just fun raps to chill to. Don't pick this up if your all about gangsta rhymin'. If not, and you welcome yourself to all types of rap, then give this a try. Personally, I prefer Smith the rapper over the actor.

HOT ALBUM! ALL OF THOSE FUNKY HITS!
This album was long overdue! Credit should go to the person who compiled all of Will Smith's hits and the ones he did with Jazzy Jeff in his Fresh Prince persona. I can't stop playing "Miami", "Men In Black", "Parents", "Girls", "Freak It" and others. He even put the theme song of his hit sitcom--Fresh Prince of Bel Air on here! But I have been playing "Just Cruisin" a lot--very smooth, funky beat on that song! And yes, Will is hip-hop just as much as his competition, so his hard edges here fit with that clean image. I like his softer side on "Just The Two of Us" as he talks to his son. But this is a very dynamite album that covers his career fully both solo and duo.

WILL SMITH IS THE KING OF JIGGY!
I'm the no.1 fan of Will Smith. Will Smith is off da chain. The Greatest Hits I loved. WILL, PLEASE COME OUT WITH ANOTHER CD!

Would be 4 stars if...
it had "He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper". Seriously folks, that old-school number is one of DJ Jazzy Jeff And the Fresh Prince's best. But I guess since this is just the best of Will Smith it was left off. Oh well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

There are two ways of combating the blazing misogyny of gangsta rap: with water or with fire. Journalists, teachers, and ministers have been trying to douse the flames of sexism with intellectual and moral arguments. The reasoning is persuasive, but it's doubtful it reaches rap's hard-core young audience. For that crowd, you have to fight fire with fire, and that's just what the female rap trio Salt 'N' Pepa have done so successfully with Very Necessary. With their explicit rapping about bedroom gymnastics, Salt 'N' Pepa are unlikely to be held up as role models in classrooms or churches anytime soon. For a sexually active teenage girl, however, the trio shows how you can get your pleasure without putting up with any disrespect. Salt 'N' Pepa's hit singles "Whatta Man" and "Shoop" are both sensual appreciations of the men they like, but the album also contains some hilarious, pitiless putdowns of the men who don't treat them right. --Geoffrey Himes ... Read more

Reviews (12)

I LOVE THE WHOLE CD
I LOVE THE SONGS: SHOOP, GROOVE ME, WHATTA A MAN I LOVE SALT-N-PEPA THEY ARE MY DIVAS. THEY INSPIRE ME TO GET INTO THE MUSIC BUSINESS.

"Very Necessary" by Salt 'N Pepa
The 3 member group of Salt 'N Pepa date back to the mid-eighties with hits like "Push It." In 1993, they made a strong comeback into the hip-hop scene with their hit-packed album "Very Necessary" which featured two chart-topping singles: "Shoop" and "Whatta Man(featuring R&B quartet En Vogue)" and the grammy nominated song "None Of Your Business." That song was filled with liberating, pro-female lyrics that were both innovative and catchy. Salt 'N Pepa also had strong video support as well. The group released one more cd called "Brand New" in 1997 before disbanding. Salt went on to make a few cameos like her brief rap verse in a gospel song called "Stomp(remix)" by God's Property. Pepa married rap originator Treach(of Naughty By Nature) and gave birth to a child recently. You can also check the group out on raggae queen Patra's sophomore disc where the group makes a guest appearance on one of her songs. Basically, if you're into old school-tinged hip-hop with a pro-woman empowering feeling, I would recommend picking it up. Even if you just like to hear some of the classics that shaped rap into what it is today, I would urge you to have a listen. If not, then don't. Once again, this is THE RAP REVIEWER signing off. Just look for the trademark name atop other rap, hip-hop and R&B titles and you can trust that it's true and informative. ~Peace.

the best salt 'n' pepa album// release a greatest hits CD!!!
Very Necessary is not only the the best selling Salt 'N' Pepa album (5x platinum), but their best period. This cd also won them a grammy for the song "None of your business" and is the best selling album by female rappers (solo or group) EVER. (Lauryn Hill's "Miseducation" cd is mostly singing) I can still listen to this CD now and enjoy it. What is really needed NOW is a Salt 'N' Pepa digitally remastered greatest hits CD with great photos and extensive liner notes. There are too many greatest hits CD's from undeserving artists with 2 or 3 hits when S'N'P has at least 12 major hits. Enough on that... bottom line this cd is hot.

A classic and a must own.
This is one of my favorite albums. I grew up listening to Salt-N-Pepa throughout the 80's and 90's. This album rules. I love it when Ellen Degeneres sings "Shoop" on some her her comedy specials (example : DVD - "Here and Now"). I mean, the song is about men, and Ellen is a lesbian (no harm meant) and I think it is funny. I wonder what ever happened to Salt-N-Pepa. Did they split up or just left the music business?

Awesome CD--never tire of it
This was one of the best Salt-n-Pepa CDs ever. Full of fresh tracks and in your face lyrics... and you can dance to it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Taste the culture, know who you are," exhorts a voice in the opening seconds of The Carnival. While Fugees mastermind Wyclef sets a high goal for his first solo album, essentially a follow-up to the Brooklyn hip-hoppers' multiplatinum The Score, he never succumbs to feel-goodism or preachiness while traveling the songlines. Including everything from over-the-top operatic scatting to Bee Gees samples and Celia Cruz as part of its rhythm nation, The Carnival proves that, "Killing Me Softly" or no, the rapper/producer is far from losing his knack for mad fun and games. And, indeed, if you're not careful, you may end up learning something: witness the ballad "Gone Till November," a drug runner's unflinching lament. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (89)

Wyclef mixes it all up for the Carnival..Tight!
This cd from wyclef is a good cd. I had this from a while back and it's still good. Fans and Non-fans of the fugges should check this out because it's a couple people on this u might not know is on. People like lauryn Hill, John forte, pras, G+B(the product), Jeeni fujita and others help to keep it hot. Check for Jeeni fujita in the future...shes about to blow up. The cd starts off with a intro skit that sounds like a commercial for a movie. All the skits are funny and they play through this cd like a movie. All the skits are in court and are about wyclef proving that hes good and not a "Playa", "Thug", etc. The best tracks here are: 2,3,5,7,9(This one is tight and should have been a single),10(another tight one. This is a true story if u listen close to the lyrics),13(This song is in french and has Lauryn Hill singing a tight verse and if u listen to the whole song u learn what it means at the end. lauryn explains in english), This is a cool slow jam with Aaron neville,18(Classic party jam mixing old school with the new).

Overall this is a good solo cd from wyclef and I think he did good even though he had a lot of guests. The guests don't over shadow him and by the time your done you will know something about where he is from. Lauryn and Wyclef did good and are still doing good solo. I don't know if pras will ever get to their level. It would be good to see the fugees reunite but since they all are at different levels now..I guess it's history. Check out wyclefs new one coming out in June, but until then this is something to listen to. he might suprise you with a couple cuts here because he mixes it all up slow jam, fast, hip-hop , reggae and everything.

If u never been to a carnival, then here is a good start.

Ready or not, here clef comes
Wyclef is one of the last MUSICIANS in hip-hop and R&B today. You can count the people that can sucessfully rap, sing, play instruments, produce music of all genres, and write thought provoking lyrics on one hand. He, Lauryn Hill, and who...Anyway, this is why the Carnival is such a great CD. Only diehard clef fans will love all of it, but their is at least somehting on here for everyone. He does htis, wihtout sounding generic. He expands the lines and mixes gernes so well, it's hare to tell which song is what. Gone till november, Apocolypse, Bubblegoose, Guantaramera are just examples of how Clef can can mix all music into one song like no other. About 20 years from now, Wyclef will still be around and remembered as one of the great musicians of our time. An dthe Carnival will still be listenable

4 1/2 Star album
The Carnival posesses possibly the most creative musical production of any Hip Hop album during the 90s. It's not a surprise because of Wyclef Jean's diverse musical outings, from hip hop, Latin American, reggae, haitian, calypso, rock, and everything in between. I can't say if there is any large Hip Hop star that has the cultural insightfulness and diversity that Wyclef has. Being Caribbean myself I'm in love for the fact that he has patios lyricism displayed here. I would love to see him team up with France's superhero MC Solaar. The album is less serious than the Score, which it is otherwise a general follow-up, including a more comical feel. But this isn't to say this is 3feet High and Rising Part II, it's got it's share of introspective and serious topics. Overall it's a masterpiece, however I took a five star away because I am convince that Wyclef Jean was holding back. He could have included more intellectual lyrics on the album than he did. Otherwise, if you want the ultimate Hip Hop collection then you MUST own this album.

Great Party Music
This is perfect to set your party on fire. It was chill songs as well as some jumpin ones. Well, enough can't be said: JUST BUY IT NOW !!!!!!!!

Masterful Eclecticism
Crestfallen Fugee fans can find solace in their bereavement with this fine album written and produced by one of hip hops's finest, Wyclef Jean. Wyclef's style is very genuine, and he keeps his heart out on his sleeve on every track on The Carnival. There is just about everything you could ask for on this recording. Tonze of funny skits, solid rap tracks, love songs, songs in other languages. They're all good too. Although this album has many discrepancies from the Fugee albums, it's still worth owning if you liked the Fugees or any other hip hop acts that aren't overly interested in limning gruesome scenes of gangsters, guns and crime (i.e. J5, Pharcyde, De La, Tribe). ... Read more

Album Description

Will Smith returns to the music with his 2005 single 'Switch', taken from his album Lost & Found. Contains 3 Remixes of 'Switch' - Main Version, Main R&B Remix & Instrumental R&B. Interscope. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

LOL!
Will Smith is def my favorite actor but his singles are lame as heahl! though not as bad as the laugh out loud Nod Ya Head this still falls in the WACK catagory. Just as I thought he would go away from the rap scene forever here he is again. Sure HE may be happy but I surely aint.

Nice I guess
I was kind of unhappy with the album. He is going at it more lyrically but he gave up some fun. This is one of the Fun tracks. It is not the best track but it's cool

Big Will! (3.5 Stars)
The Fresh Prince has been rapping for close to 20 years now, and even though Will's rap career has arguably taken a backseat to his movie career, he's still making music and keeping it genuine.That alone deserves MAD props.

Switch is a pretty cool song for the dance floor, and I'm extremely glad Will isn't following any trends - like jumping onto the Crunk bandwagon.Nope, Switch is just another infectious Will Smith pop hit.

Big Will must be in love with hip-hop, because with the kind of money he has, he could stop making records at any time to focus on his acting career.But his desire to make music, and make it genuine, shows some kind of integrity that I've never seen in a musician-turned-actor.

The Party Anthem Prince Returns
Out of all the people who have really defined Rap music, no one has ever hit that feeling without losing his cool like Will Smith. Not only is he is a fantastic, and charasmatic actor, but he has still maintained his reflections with making great music. Unlike Jennifer Lopez or Beyonce', Will Smith has kept his rhythm alive, without making himself seem manufactured. His latest anthem, Switch, from his return to the rap world, Lost & Found, is a great party anthem, and still shows that the once Fresh Prince can still make a good song. It is very upbeat, and is just delightful to listen to, especially after his dissapointing Born To Reign record. Unlike most rap music which seems more like you hate the world, Will keeps showing that he still has it. I really like the beat of this track. It is just great to dance to.

Song: B 1/2+

Smith has a hit with switch
Very catchy makes you want to dance and who can resist Will Smith ... Read more

Reviews (22)

FABULOUS ALBUM OF HIS CAPITOL HITS!
I thought that they made a terrific greatest hits album by MC Hammer! Loads of funky songs and inspirational numbers! U Can't Touch This and Turn This Mutha Out are still hot! I still like the heavy funk of "Too Legit To Quit"--I still blast that at 10 or 11 when it comes on!!!! They do so much in the rapid 5 minutes of that song! Hammer really dominated music for some 4 years with these songs and he did make an impact on rap at the time. He changed his style on the second, but he still kept it funky! And I liked Too Legit to Quit. Sometimes I felt that he did too many TV commercials, but I listened to his music the most. Would have liked it if some tracks from Funky Headhunter were on there, but this might have been done to finish out his Capitol Records contract. I hope that he makes more albums with all that dancing and big stage sets again, because he was ahead of his time with his approach! This album fully covers Hammer's success as an artist very well!

2 Legit 2 Quit
MC Hamma's music can be heard today through such artists as Limp Bizkit, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Eminem. That's just for starters, too. Hamma's legacy in the rap world is immortal, and he singlehandedly brought back spectacle into rock music, injecting showmanship into a moribund genre whose biggest act in the early '90s was the ultra-lame Pearl Jam. Hamma changed all that with "Please Hamma Don't Hurt 'Em." The even stronger "2 Legit 2 Quit" was even better, one of the best rap 'n roll records ever created in the history of humankind.

Hamma gets a little more hardcore on "2 Legit," as is evident from the brutal lyrics and the stocking cap he wears. No matter what, Hamma always brings diversity and reinvention to the table: First he was a spendthrift partier, then he became a hardcore gangsta, and still later he became a rapping preacher. Now I think Hamma is the proprietor of a semi-successful hot dog stand on Venice Beach, but that's neither here nor there. The point is:

HE'S 2 LEGIT, 2 LEGIT 2 QUIT (HAY, HAY!!),

2 LEGIT, 2 LEGIT 2 QUIT (HAY, HAY...)

MC Hammer - Greatest Hits
MC Hammer - Greatest Hits~ MC Hammer. Many people give hammer a bad rap and that is not right. Whilst he is never to be confused with a gangster rapper his songs are fun and easy to dance to and that is what is most important after all.

I almost puked
Hearing these songs made me nautious. The only good song is Cant Touch This. Dont buy this crap chicken head music.

Too hot to think to touch
Dis album is bangin man a couple of da sticky but U cant touch dis holds it up for them it is MCs target right on spot ... Read more

Reviews (260)

Haters Stop Hating - This Album is HOT
Hip Hop without P-Diddy? Unthinkable. I personally used to listen to Ragga or whatever you call it until, thank God, I heard Biggie's debut album, Ready to Die. I was converted from that day and since BIG is sadly gone, I can only say thanks to Puffy for all that he has done for us. Over the last few years I've danced to a lot of songs that were either executive-produced or co-produced by Puffy. To say that he has no talent is simply hateful. Jealous Ones Will Always Envy. Yeah, he samples beats. But he makes them HOT! Think of More Money, More Problems. If thats what he can do just by sampling some people's OLD, ARCHIVED AND DUSTY work then let him do it. Let him make us dance. At least he doesnt sing-song like Ja Rule and lately 50 Cent (Rap Singers and thats what you call hip hop). Most of the time his flow is whack but on songs like Satisfy You, I need a girl Part 1 & 2, Its all about the Benjamins, Cant Nobody Hold Me Down, Pass the Courvosier, he sure sounds like the best of them. And back to the matter at hand. No Way Out sold 8 million in America alone and everyone was bopping to it.Tracks like Victory, Cant Nobody Hold Me Down, Been Around the World, Its all bout the Benjamins are simply unforgettable. All Hail the shiny suit man. His influence in hip-hop is undeniable and all ya haters need to stop fronting. Hip Hop is dead right now and sadly there is no upcoming producers like the younger Sean Combs to turn it around. Hip Hop needs a saviour right now and if it was ten years ago at least you could count on Puffy to sort out the mess. Sadly our so-called saviours like Eminem and 50 Cent are just some whack-ass dudes taking advantage of a very domant genre of black music. Our hopes for its resurrection will once again have to lie in the hands of Sean Combs. All Hail the shiny suit man. Cant Stop, Wont Stop. Hip Hop Forever.

Before I go I have to proclaim my shock at the hateration which bedevils Black America today. Over here in the UK we are just happy to see our brothers and sisters doing something good for themselves. They are an inspiration to us and we could never hate them. Stop the hate and start acknowledging the rise of black music and its peoples.

Puff Daddy- No Way Out
Puff Daddys first album "No Way Out" was a major commerical success. So What? you say, and I agree with you, just because an album does well commercially doesnt mean its any good. However in this case I have to say this is an exception. Album starts with "Victory" feat. Notorious B.I.G. (R.I.P.), and is a strong wicked introduction. "Been Around the World" feat. Mase
is that commerical track thats really for the ladies, maybe the kids, but not the hardcore hiphop heads. On "What You Gonna Do"
Puffy talks about Death. "Do you know" has Puff talking about his life, rise in the game , and has a dope relaxed beat, mixed with nice female vocals. "I love you Baby" was one of the first introductions to Black Rob and its a good one. Black Rob has got this grimy ill sound, and toghther with Puff makes this a ill track. "Its all about the Benjamins" (Remix) is an adrenaline laced track, that gets you pumped. On "Pain" Puffy talks about the death of his father, shysty women and Pain that you wouldnt wish on anyone. "Ill be Missing You" feat. Faith Evans (Wife of Notorious) is a deep song made in memory and tribute of his close friend, and legendary MC Biggie Smalls and also dedictated to anyone whos ever lost someone close. This track is beautiful, any yeah I know thats not a hiphop word, but its the best description I can give it. Album ends with another energetic track "Can't Nobody Hold me Down" feat. Mase which is alright but probably should of been placed earlier in the album. There is truth in that Puffy, these days known as Pdiddy is that cat people love to hate, all the same you have to respect what hes done, whether you like him or not.

About As Ridiculous As His Name
This is crappy rich boy rap. And I'll pop a cap in yo ass yo if you buy it. beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyatch!

The East Coast Chronic!! P. Diddy is a Genius!!
This CD is a CLASSIC no diggity, no doubt!! P. Diddy's production is unparelled, this CD is definitely essential to anyone who like's raw, uncut Hip Hop!! It sold over 8 million copies and changed the face of Hip Hop with its deep, concious lyricism from Diddy and the Bad Boys, spawning countless imitators trying to be pretty gangstas like him. The samples far outclass the original songs (i.e. I'll Be Missing You is FAR BETTER than Every Breath You Take). To sum it up, nobody can match his chedda, or do rap music betta!! ONE!!
BUMP LIST (The Whole CD is Bumpable, but here's a few!):
Victory
Friend
Senorita
Is This The End?
Been Around The World
Can't Nobody Hold Me Down
I'll Be Missing You

Sux
P Diddy is probably the worst rapper of all time. Bad Boy is nothing without Biggy. F**k P Diddy and Bad Boy ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the first albums to challenge hip-hop's machocratic sovereignty, Salt-N-Pepa's Hot, Cool & Vicious takes as its musical model Run-D.M.C.'s potent distillation of streetwise repartee, hard-ass bluster and beatbox rhythms. Determined to say it loud and say it proud, r-r-r-rappers Cheryl "Salt" James and Sandy "Pepa" Denton wield their womanhood like an urban-jungle machete, busting unfaithful lovers in "Chick on the Side," threatening female competitors "just for spite" in "I'll Take Your Man," dishing distaff disses at Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick in "The Showstopper," and condemning mindless male promiscuity in "Tramp." With its aerobic BPMs and synth-pop hook, the Top 20 hit "Push It" is the album's most obvious--and most effective--bid for dancefloor immortality. --Greg Siegel ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Who knew?
Who knew when these girls hit the scene how big they'd be? They put on an awesome show and put out great music, including this debut CD

VERY HOT DEBUT ALBUM!!!
This is a great cd from start to finish and I would truly recommend this cd to any old skool rap fan and would let them know that their money is not being wasted it is a good investment and I would truly recommend this cd because it is loaded with hits: tramp, I'll take your man , My Mic sounds nice, and push it all of these songs were trademark hits but I really enjoy the whole cd!!!!

The best female rap group past or present
This album features the ORIGINAL Spinderella, Dee Dee Roper came later on to take carry on the name, so it's definately a classic. My Mic Sounds Nice and I Desire are my favorite cuts on this album. If you don't have this one, YOUR WRONG ! ! ! These ladies paved the way for a lot of female artist of today. Imagine that.

My Girls!
Nice first effort from the longest running female rap group around. Notice that their DJ on the front album cover is not Spinderella--she joined after their original DJ left. This album lays the groundwork for Salt N' Pepa's independent woman style of rapping. This is an essential album to have for rap music afficiandos.

FIRST ALBUM FROM FIRST LADIES OF RAP
Salt N Pepa turned heads when they released this stunning rap album in 1986 when rap was going on to be male-dominated. Their first singles "Tramp" and "I'll Take Your Man" had sensible lyrics and became moderate successes paving the way for their monster hit "Push It" in 1987. Other notable songs such as "The Showstopper" and "My Mic Sounds Nice" keep their raps flowing and proved they can bust a rhyme like any man can. ... Read more

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Harlem World describes a hedonistic lifestyle infomercialist Tom Vu would envy. Girls, riches, mo' money, mo' problems--it's all part of the game when you're Sean "Puffy" Combs's protégé, Mase. With his distinctive, narcoleptic vocals, Mase paints vivid pictures of singular Mase-ian problems on the dance-floor hits "Feel So Good," "Cheat On U," and "Wanna Hurt Mase?" Harlem World seems like a nice shiny package of proven hit making; problem is, Mase packs the charisma of Matt Dillon (always promising, but always the supporting actor). He has trouble keeping Harlem World interesting, hence the preponderance of guests, including Busta Rhymes, Lil' Kim, Jay-Z, Total, and Puffy, of course. Good news: the Puff Daddy chop shop is open for beat recycling, and Harlem World will ring more than a few bells of recognition. Not-so-good news: Puffy's style of commercial rap is dependent on charisma (see the Notorious B.I.G. and Lil' Kim), and Mase is running on empty. --Todd Inoue ... Read more

Reviews (121)

The Player Way
(actually 3.5)

Ma$e is hardly a good rapper but somehow he makes his songs easy to listen to and at least you dont have to decipher what he is saying plus he can flow. However Puff Daddy pulls a jack move on numerous songs and you will definitely notice them when you listen to the cd and that detracts from its value. He is good for what he does though......making dance songs.

Anyways The first five songs are pure wackness especially Will They Die For You which is horrible( DMX rocks this beat much harder on Get At Me Dog) The interludes are useless and the song Wanna Hurt Mase is one of the worst songs i have ever heard.

Despite all that, the good songs make this lp above average and worth having. With songs such as the Neptunes produced ( yes they were out in 97) Looking At Me and the Eightball & MJG collaboration Player Way this cd's quality goes up substantially . The the light Dance floor songs Love U So and Feels So Good are tight. Mase even tries to get hardcore on songs such as N!ggas Wanna Act feat. Busta Rhymes and 24 Hrs. To Live feat the family both of which work well and actually are pretty tight songs. He collaborates with Total on What You Want and has Monifah on the chorus of I Need To Be and these songs are also tight. He and Puffy even take a successful stabs at singing on Jealous Guy which is hilarious and catchy.

Overall it is a mixed bag. Great songs and some really really wack songs. Either you like it or you won't. I suggest you listen to it first and then make a decision. (Un)Fortunately Ma$e released Double Up ( WACK) and retired before he could get criticism. This lp is nothing like Double Up as it is 100 times better. A Nice album from Mase.

Bad Boy's Latest-Ma$e
I bought this CD with high expectations and it went way past them!! This is a well produced CD with a lot of flava. The songs are not hardcore.(Sorry) They're party rap jams. His laid back flow keeps you wanting more. With guest appearences by Busta Rhymes, Billy Larence, MJG, Eightball, Puff Daddy (of course), The Lox, Lil' Kim, Jay-Z, Jermaine Dupri, Black Rob, 112, and more it's no wonder. 20 tracks in all and all are tight. There are interludes, but it's not a problem. The Mad Rapper interlude is hilarious. And on the last song, "Jealous Guy" feat. 112, 112 aren't the only ones that sing. Yes, Mase and Puffy show off their singing talents! They need to stick to rapping though! But it's perfect for a good laugh and one of the best songs on there. Over all, Mase's debut CD, 'Harlem world' is a must have addition to your collection. Put this in your stero, turn the volume up, and enjoy the 68 min. of Hip-hop flava!! You WON'T be disappointed!! PEACE!!

What You Want Is Harlem World
Hardcore hip-hop fans, who are indeed down with the underground, either via the streets of N.Y.C. or the bandwidth of cyberspace (underground classics & freestyles), found this release disgraceful to hip-hop's legacy - commercial, popular, attracted mainstream audiences, lacked lyrical kung-fu, and was downright fun. Puff Daddy's favorite sidekick, Mase, was already popularized on a number of guest appearances (hit singles by other artists) prior to the uptempo party-rap debut, Harlem World. It's the dense, funky sound that catapulted the baby faced slow and relaxed emcee into the public eye - samples, samples and more samples.

From a production standpoint, Harlem World represents the retro Kotter of hip-hop's classic layered, lean, and dope styled sound (beat making). Mase's slow-mo flow is spellbinding. Though lyrically far from impressive, Mase is reminiscent to his legendary New York predecessor's from the late-'70s and early-'80s - Mase is old school. Old school is easily identified by its relatively simple raps - most lines take up approximately equal amounts of time, and the rhythms of the language rarely twisted around the beats of the song. Mase's emphasis is not on lyrical technique, but simply on good times.

Some old school songs were performed over disco or funk-styled tracks and Mase is exactly that on Harlem World. The bouncy "Feel So Good" is based around the sample of Kool & The Gangs funk-smokin' "Hollywood Swingin'" - which features another sample in the biting vocal hook "Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad, Boy." With Sean "Puffy" Combs and Jermaine Dupri behind the decks for much of the album, Harlem World certainly "takes hits from the '80s." "Love U So" reinvents Teena Marie's playful gem in "Square Biz" and the bitterly emceed "24 Hours to Live" is a suspense thriller focused on the philly soul sound - sweeping strings and seductive horns.

Die hard hip-hop fans need to realize that the underground circut is just as phony as the party-rap scene - both acts are an ode to "hip-hop" (an imitation of hip-hops founding fathers). The best old school tracks retain their liveliness as great party music no matter what the era and Mase's music will out live any era of hip-hop, but like any late-'90s hip-hop record, it's a little too long for its own good.

Back in the Day Classic
So technically it's not the greatest piece of hip hop ever to grace the shelf at the local record shop - but who cares? Not me.

I'll be the first to admit I've become a bit of a "purist" in recent years, probably as an adverse reaction to all the terrible sounds that pass as "hip hop" that are out there on the commercial scene and beyond these days. But back in the day when I was a little younger and Harlem World was first on the scene (97 I think) this album rocked.

Mase had his own style, and for that you've got to give him some credit. Baby-faced and baby-voiced he rocked tunes like "what u want" "feel so good" "love u so" "cheat on u" "I need to be" etc. even the cheesy dancefloor numbers were spot-on. What can I say? I loved Mase.

He wasn't short of a sense of humour either and parts of this lp were genuinely funny which can't be bad. Above all this album was FUN, I could rock it all day every day when it was first out and I had it on cassette and that's probably exactly what i did.

After having not heard it for years and years I was lucky enough to find an EP with "What u Want" on vinyl - my absolute favourite track when I was at high school. It went straight on this summer's mixtape as well as the B-side "lookin at you" just cos it's mase, just for old times sake. And just for you underground heads who might be looking strange at me it was mixed into an X-ecutioners track - no i'm not a pop-rap dj.

Forget about the purists - buy it and have fun!!!

Great cd
this is the best pop cd in hip hop history and one of bad boys best releases other then black robs life story and notorious bigs cds mase left at a good time after a terrible cd in double up i think he left cause Big L died and Biggie but i would like mase to come back and at least work with kanye west

Favorite Track:Take Yours
Guests:DMX,Eightball & MJG,Black Rob,Puff Daddy,Total,Lil'Kim,Lox

8.5 of 10 lyrics 8.5 of 10 beats ... Read more

Amazon.com

Is Will Smith an important rapper? The kind that deserves the awards, the honors, the accolades that the music industry foists upon him? Well, no. The words corny and safe might be applicable when describing the artist formerly known as the Fresh Prince. But dig this: corny and safe as he may be, why can't you stop singing "Getting Jiggy wit It" or why does your child love "Just the Two of Us," Smith's shameless ode to dads and their kids? Probably because Smith is nothing if not sincere. Yes, the tracks are obvious and leaden, and, no, Method Man won't have any sleepless nights when Smith lets loose with a rhyme. But give him this: Smith comes from the culture, even if he long ago left the streets. --Amy Linden ... Read more

Reviews (295)

Universally appealing.
Okay, I'm an almost-40 white guy in the Heartland. My idea of great music runs from Talking Heads and Elvis Costello to Blue Oyster Cult and Alice Cooper. What do I think of "Big Willie Style"? Well, I agree with corny ("Candy"). I agree with safe ("I loved you"). And I agree very strongly with sincere ("Just the 2 of us"). I've got a 5-year old son. I get a lump in my throat when I hear that song, because it is REAL. The most important thing is that it's just plain fun. I get teased for listening to it, but I can't help it--it's addictive. Good, clean fun. I can't relate to poppin' a cap in some gangsta, but I can enjoy rap. Some of Will's messages hit home (you don't need to be a movie star to appreciate the advice in "Don't say nothin'"), but all his raps are fun! Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go get jiggy wit it.

Will Smith makes his triumphant return to rap as Big Willie!
In Big Willie Style rapper Will Smith made his big return to music. He made 4 albums with his DJ and partner Jazzy Jeff who provides the scratches and even sings a little bit with Will in Y'All Know. In his song Candy he makes a clever verse where he speaks to the lady he loves by saying different names of candies. In Don't Say Nothin' Smith speaks out to everyone a little upset. He also seems to try and clear his name is some bad situations the public and Media put him in. In his hit single Just the Two of Us Smith turns softer by singing of his part of life of being a father to his first son Trey. That song won Smith some Grammies and some MTV Music Awards. In Miami he talks about a different place in the world aside from Philadelphia, his home town, New York and Los Angeles. Also in the album is the main theme for Smith's 1997 smash hit Men In Black. Talking about how popular he is as a rapper this album is marked as his return to rap. Maybe Smith would let the fans down. Maybe the album just might not be as good. That's not the case. This CD is a must by to everybody. It's a very good album with some awesome tracks. Pick it up today.

Some Pop rap Will Smith style
He always puts out some fun and entertaining music.I am one of the biggest fans of Will Smith and he had another hit on his hands here.Songs like Gettin Jiggy wit it and Men and Black and Miami are some nice fun songs fans buy people stop fronting
Lyrics 8/10 Production 8/10 X Factor 9/10 Classic 8/10 Me 9/10
Overall=42/50 This album recieves 4 Mics

Bubble Gum Rap
I am not hating on the guy. Will Smith is a very successful in the entertainment industry. But his rap style is really not to MY liking. I gave him a chance back in the day of "Nightmare on My Street." I liked him then, but I have "grown" out of his type of music and lyrics. I like him much better as an actor.

EXCELLENT
You know, all you stupid hip-hop fans who bag on Will Smith just because he wasn't generic enough for you are idiots. Just because he didn't cuss or have next to naked women in his videos people bag on him. Just because he doesn't sing about being a "gangster" or having "bling-bling" people bag on him. Yeah, he was a pretty much a pop artist, but a damn good one at that. His music had personality. "Gettin Jiggy Wit It" is a classic. So go sit in a corner and blast your "Fiddy Cent" and "Jigga" crap with the bass all the way up. ... Read more

Reviews (108)

Sadly enough, A hip-hop classic
The other day I was rolling in my 5.0. I had my rag top down so my hair could blow. The Girlies were on standy waiting just to say hi, did I stop? NO, I just drove by. Any ways these girlies thought I was one cool dude with my V-Ice kickin as the beats protruded from my stereo. They Screamed "Play that funky music, white boy!" Play that funky music NOW!" SO as I was driving I realized heck yeah this is the bomb man. Now I know that it seems outrageous, but the Icemans beats are contagious........so pop it in your stereo. You see this tape proved that Ice was back with a brand new invention. MC HAMMER dont front, you are no Vanilla Ice. Dr. Dre uh-uh. Ice Cube/Tea......keep on chillin but you ain't thrillin. Like Ali Ice will knock all the rappers down a peg. Mase, get out of my face....Puffy when are you going to do a remake of Ice Ice Baby? Nas, NOPE....do you get my point? Ice is where its at. Thats it and Thats that!!! Thankyou very much for letting me express my opinion here. I have been looking for a forum for the last 5 years regarding this subject. Please join me in the Vanilla Ice fan club!!!

Be reasonable...
I have the cassette from somtime around '93-'94, and it used to be my favorite thing to listen to. Now I listen to everything atleast once to be open minded, but Eminem is the WORST rapper of all time. Whether or not Vanilla Ice pirated his bass from Queen doesn't matter. All that matters is what the music sounds like to the listener. If you like the sound, great, if you don't, well, who really cares either way? Now for somthing more closely related: Good album, 4 stars.

Let's Be Honest
Early 90's, I'll bet most of us were listening to this album. It's very easy to attack him now, but you don't think the same won't happen to the assembly-line MTV crap being put out today 14 years from now?

Another thing--there are entirely too many reviews here talking about Vanilla Ice dissing so and so or not respecting so and so when this happened. Unless I missed a book somewhere on lowlife history, the only people still concerned with any slights of the rap world from 14 years ago have either been gunned down or are probably upper-middle class white boys who wish desperately that they weren't. I await the response of the same informing me how "I jus don't know".

3 stars for nostalgia.

this deserves no stars
Vanilla Ice is just pathetic, he can't rap, he can't dance, and he does not have "a violent gangsta past"- the dude grew up in a middle class miami family- the dude's name is Rob Van Winkle for god's sake. Listening to him is almost as bad as listening to Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch. "Ice Ice Baby" is a total ripoff of "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie. Some reviewer here said that Ice made up the bass line himself- Queen and David Bowie recorded it in 1981, Ice said he wrote the song when he was 16 on The Surreal Life- and Ice was 13 in 1981, which means he wrote it in 1984- haha. I dont know why Ice thought he was so tough and such a gangsta- I mean he was hung off of a 20th story balcony by his ankles by Suge Knight. Ice lost popularity because of two things- alternative rock (Jane's Addiction, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Soul Ayselum, Body Count, R.E.M.) and gangsta rap (Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, 2pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy, Jay-Z) Ice tried to go gangsta rap and now hez trying his hand at rap metal (Limp Bizkit, Rage Against The Machine, Linkin Park, Methods Of Mayhem, Tommy Lee, Kid Rock) with no success.

UH!!!
I thought Queen had something here. I think Queen and David Bowie had Under Pressure. Then you here "V.I.P.!!!" It's like shut the **** up! Vanilla Ice was a horrible rapper. The only good white rapper is Eminem. Vanilla Ice, I'm glad you aren't in the music industry anymore! Actually, you should be glad because you would be getting your ass kicked out on the streets. Oh yeah, YOUR STUPID SONG ICE ICE BABY IS THE #6 WORST SONG EVER ACCORDING TO VH1!!! ... Read more

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Welcome to hip-hop originality. On Wyclef Jean's The Ecleftic, his beats-beyond-borders ideology, seen on the Fugees' The Score and his own Carnival, shines bright. Rap's Renaissance man, he's pushing hip-hop forward with his musical vision. Firmly rooted in an inclusive old-school aesthetic (recalling Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa) he's got Kenny Rogers and Pharoahe Monch sharing space on a dub plate. Youssou N'Dour guests on the indignant, powerful "Diallo." And Mary J. Blige joins Wyclef for the mournfully beautiful duet "911." Though there are many musical flavors on The Ecleftic, Jean's deft musical arrangements prevent them from descending into tokenism. But at the end of the day, there's no doubt that this is hip-hop, with taut tracks like "Thug Angels," "However You Want It," and "Pulling Me In" showing that Wyclef's holding it down for the heads, some of whom felt that his Carnival was a little too poppy. The Ecleftic contains enough anger and righteous indignation to be real hip-hop, and enough humor and musical magic to be fun. --Lizz Mendez Berry ... Read more

Reviews (99)

the clef is back
this is the only wyclef album i own. i heard that the carnival is really good, but this is better. the ecleftic is a mixture of many different types of music, such as rap/hip-hop, r&b, reggae and rock
this is what i think of the songs:
1. columbia records-a funny skit
2. where fugees at?-really good song about his former group, the fugees 5/5
3. kenny rogers - pharoahe monch dub plate-a strange mix of kenny rogers, clef and pharoahe. 4/5
4. thug angels (feat. small world)-a great song i think it was the 1st or 2nd single off the album 5/5
5. it doesn't matter (feat. the rock, melky sedeck)-not a bad song. a bit annoying though. very overrated 3.5/5
6. 911 (feat. mary j. blige)-a great song showing off the vocal abilities of queen mary j. 5/5
7. pullin' me in-probably one of the best songs on the album. cool beat 5/5
8. da cypha (feat. supreme c, mary antoinette, hope)-another amazing song. the guest artists are really good in this one. 5/5
9. runaway (feat. earth, wind & fire, the product g&b)-amazing song with the disco kings earth, wind & fire 5/5
10. red light district-ok skit
11. perfect gentleman (feat. hope)-a pretty good song. 4.5/5
12. low income (feat. beast, 718-crew)-not a bad song. good lyrics 4/5
13. whitney houston dub plate-another dub plate, this time w/ whitney. not bad 4/5
14. howver you want it-really good song. great flow 5/5
15. hollyhood to hollywood (feat. small world)-amazing song. great lyrics and rhymes. probably the best song on the album, tied w/ #16. 5/5
16. diallo (feat. youssou n'dour, mb2)-by far the greatest clef song ever. this is my most favorite song on the album. it has amazing lyrics. i like the part at the end when youssou n'dour and mb2 come in. 6/5
17. something about mary-a really amazing song about not doing drugs. 5/5
18. bus search-a skit about, well, a bus search
19. wish you were here-an ok remake of a pink flloyd song 4/5
these are the top 5 best songs on the eclefic:
5. pullin' me in
4. runaway (feat. earth, wind & fire, the product g&b)
3. da cypha (feat. supreme c, mary antoinette, hope)
2. hollyhood to hollywood (feat. small world)
1. diallo (feat. youssou n'dour, mb2)
overall, i think that this is a really amazing album. at times it can be fun, and at other times it is serious. wyclef jean has amazing lyrics and great rhyming abilities. i really like how he is one of the only rap artists who doesn't swear in any of his songs. i like that alot.

Eclectic to say the least
Wyclef and the Refugee Camp hold a cross-genre fan base, being one of the influences of the hip hop world that can truly be said to have very high level of acceptance and support from non-hip-hop heads. Eleftic demonstraits why this is so beautifully. Wyclef comes with a strong album sporting an array of music that is as diverse as it is well crafted. Inspirations from classic rock, regae, soul, R&B, Dance and many other sources are noticable all over the album while successfully maintaing a very hip hop feel throughout the entire thing. This genre balancing act can be tricky but Wyclef does this wonderfully, and possibly even better than on his last solo album. The lyrics and rhymes range from not bad, to pretty good, and the singing is good as well. But the real star here is the music. The beats are diverse and enjoyable and will satisfy almost anyone. Songs like "wish you were here", "Run away", "911", "Doesnt matter", and "pulling me in" all sport styles that are different and have unique flavors to them and "Diallo Diallo" showcases wyclef's social conscious edge to his work.

All things considered some hip hop heads will argue that there isn't enough rap, or that it doesn't suit thier tastes. But Ecleftic can hold a rare title of being "hip hop for people who dont really like hip hop". And for me, and many other hip hop fans, elecftic will represent something different and a little innovative with great production work. Beats catchy enough to make you bob your head and enough soul to make you want to sing along, and plenty of culture - Wyclef proves once again on Ecleftic that hip hop is an artform that can be effectively used as glue to hold together many elements of several different musical genres at the same time, and bring it all together in a melody that's different pieces oddly compliment one another beautifully.

It's Aight
I like The Carnival and Preacher's Son better, but this is listenable. As far as musically, Wyclef's improved, but he is kinda immature on this album. "Where Fugees At?" is a good beat, but why's he askin? Supposedly it's his fault that they split up, according to Pras(though he's not a very reliable source). Clef also makes the mistake of trying to take on Canibus, his former protege(Canibus blamed Wyclef for the failure of his debut, and dissed him on "2000 B.C."). Clef is obviously no match for Canibus and if 'Bis retaliated on him, Clef would be finished. Besides those mistakes, and the horrible "Dirty South", Clef seems to have grown a little. On "Perfect Gentlemen", Clef defends strippers and tells the story of a romance between him and a stripper(likely false). The album misses that Fugees vibe that was still there on The Carnival. The less know guest appearences are boring, but the big names are funny and acceptable. Kenny Rogers, of all people, sings on "Kenny Rogers Dub Plate", where Wyclef and other rappers rhyme over a beat as Kenny sings the hook. This song is surprisingly likeable as is "It Doesn't Matter" which has another surprising guest, wrestler The Rock. On "911", Clef teams up with Mary J. Blige to showcase his actually not bad singing voice. Besides the awful Whitney Houston team up on her dub plate, Clef seems to have it down. Songs like "Hollyhood to Hollywood" and "Diallo" showcase his amazing creativity once again, the latter which is based on the case of the police shooting a man named Diallo 41 times for nothing. One of my favorite songs is "Wish You Were Here", which sounds alot like "Gone Til November", because of Clef's flow from singing to rapping. Basically, get Clef's other albums first(The Carnival, Preacher's Son, the fugees Score, and Pras' Ghetto Supastar).

Haters run Wyclef Jean is at it again
This album is great. He's got two diss tracks, "Where Fugees At"(Pras, Lauryn diss) and "However You Want It"(Canibus diss). He's got emotional songs like "911", "Diallo", and "Hollywood to Hollyhood". He also has fun songs like "It Doesn't Matter", "Perfect Gentleman", and "Something About Mary". Overall this album is mostly good. I think he could've done better, but overall this is a must-by.

A very weak "4"
this cd gives you very mixed feling's, on one hand it is very good, i mean just listen to "diallo" "911" or "runaway" which all are ver.. umm excuse me, EXTREMLY god songs. But on the other hands many of the songs are kinda' innoying, they aren't bad.. I don't know, mayBE it's all about taste, and mayBE i ain't the one to judge anyway since i'm not a real hip-hopper or something, but anyway this cd goes away with a very weak four, much because of three certain songs.. hmmm i wonder which?

P.S. if you like wyclef buy his latest "the preacher's son". it's a lot a better ... Read more

Amazon.com

In hip-hop, respect is like currency, and by the mid-'90s MC Hammer was as bereft of props as he was of cash. But there was a short period in the early '90s when every clock in the land read "Hammer time," and truth be told, he was the artist who introduced a lot of kids to hip-hop and its many possibilities. The driving force behind Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, of course, is the irrepressible single "U Can't Touch This," built on the central riff from Rick James's immortal "Super Freak." Hammer also scored with album cuts "Here Comes the Hammer," "Have You Seen Her," and "Pray," but after that, it was a short trip from Benzes to VH1's Behind the Music. --Daniel Durchholz ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Very fun album all the way through!
MC Hammer's second album was very catchy all the way through! A lot of repetition on many of the songs, but they keep you coming back. I still like U Can't Touch This! I especially like the positive songs Pray, Help the Children and the very social conscious song, Black is Black. But he had some funky grooves in Yo Sweetness, Crime Story, Dancin' Machine, and Here Comes The Hammer! He had some good raps to blend well with the songs. I was surprised that it later sold over 10 million or so and won many awards afterwards!

Stanley Kirk Burrell hurts 'em while he hits 'em!
Stanley Kirk Burrell,aka M.C. Hammer,went multi-platinum with his second album PLEASE HAMMER DON'T HURT 'EM. This album was voted "album of 1990" at the 1991 Grammys. Some songs on this album contain excerpts of previously recorded songs. Like the Top 10 smash U CAN'T TOUCH THIS,which was written by Hammer,Rick James and Alonzo Miller. It was inspired by James' 1981 hit SUPER FREAK. PRAY has a few pieces of Prince's WHEN DOVES CRY. HAVE YOU SEEN HER is basically a cover of the Chi-Lites' 1971 hit with original lyrics by Hammer,as if it were a parody. HELP THE CHILDREN contains music from the late Marvin Gaye's MERCY,MERCY,ME. DANCING MACHINE is kind of like the Jackson 5 recording. HERE COMES THE HAMMER is like an introduction of this artist. The other songs are pretty awesome. Less than 2 years after the release of this album,TOO LEGIT TO QUIT would be released. This album's video counterpart is entitled HAMMER TIME!

Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em
Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em~ MC Hammer is what rap is when it is fun and not to serious and cynical. The beats make you want to dance and fun and leave serious analysis for another day.

not hurting
Mc Hammer's debut was great, he thought it would last but unfortunetly it didn't. Good songs while it lasted though.

YO!! SWEETNESS
This Album is one of my favourites! Pure energy, dance, movin',
groovin',"Dancin, Dancin, HAMMER!!" I love it, and it's righteous too!! Some of the best artists like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and also MC HAMMER come straight out of the church, not staight outta Compton, and that's a good thing!
MC Hammer puts his gospel roots to good use in this doo-wop-um-bop classic. He speaks from the heart and does in his own righteous way. He spins, moves, shouts, raps and tears the house down! This album is one of the only albums that really gets me pumped and energized!! I cant really put a finger on what the music does, but it just gives me new energy.
Every song is great on this album.Here are my favourites,
U Cant touch this - Never overplayed, this song is tight!
Yo!! Sweetness - This song makes me want to shout HOOOOO!!!!!
On Your Face - This one is a gem. "Aint it funny that the way you feel shows on your face, and no matter how ya try to hide it, it'll state your case" That is so true.
DANCIN' MACINE - Forget about the Jacksons, this is the real thing!! I cant help listening to this song without groovin' on the spot! HAMMER!!!!!!!!!! Ughh!! love it!
Pray - This one is timeless! "Thats what we pray"
Crime Story - "Homeboy, You get no Glory!! And I aint givin em no proppers!!" Maybe all those studio gangsters should take a hint from the Hammer.......really!
She's Soft and Wet - Honest and straight to the point! We guys know what we want and Hammer is just bein real about it!
No song in history is as righteous and honest about this subject.
Most artists are just crude and vulgar when singin about it.
Work This - It took me a while to get into this one, but I really dig the energy in it!
----------
No wonder this Album is the biggest #1 Album of the 1990's
Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em spent 21 weeks at #1. Most weeks since Princes' Purple Rain (24 weeks at #1)and as of 2003 no album has spent that long of a period at #1.Check the Billboard
books if you don't believe me.
This album is a Masterpiece that will live on for years to come. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Striking the perfect balance between the B-girl breakbeats of their early recordings and the svelte R&B jams of 1993's Very Necessary, Salt-N-Pepa's third album is a masterstroke. A loose concept album concerned with African American empowerment and feminist enlightenment, Blacks' Magic is a funky wake-up call for both mind and body, exhorting listeners to, by turns, "work that body" ("Expression") and "put some faith in your race" ("Negro Wit' an Ego"). Elsewhere, SNP celebrate the transformative power of music ("Blacks' Magic") and insist on sociopolitical taboo removal ("Let's Talk About Sex"). Throughout, longtime SNP producer Hurby Luv Bug underpins the ladies' charged flow-a-thons with high-tech samplescapes and streamlined grooves. --Greg Siegel ... Read more

Reviews (7)

old, but still good!
Blacks' Magic from Salt-N-Pepa is a very well done piece of work. The ladies really shine on this one! And we even hear Spinderella's rap vocals on a few of the songs such as "Negro wit' An Ego" and "I Don't Know" (feat. Play). I have had this album in my collection for a very long time, as this album is very old, yet still sounds great! The ladies get their point across in each track and really speak their minds, especially on "Negro Wit' An Ego." They really "express" themselves completely and don't put up with any crap, lettin men know they're "independent" and don't need them. And they also show they know how to party on songs "I Like To Party" and "Start The Party" I have 2 copies of this album and there happens to be two slightly diff versions of "Let's Talk About Sex." They're basically the same, the only difference is they start off on the intro differently. One goes: "Spinderella cut it up one time" and the other goes: "Hurb..."
This is a must have for any rap or hip hop fan. Salt-N-Pepa paved the way for many other female rap artists and groups. So keep in mind, when you diss them, you actually diss yourself! so show them respect and get this album today!

This is a good CD
Salt n Pepa are such an important group. They did so much paving the way for other female groups. They earned every bit of respect they got. There are several tracks that received a lot of radio play. Still a good CD

Excellent Album
The "Blacks'Magic" album really shines. Every song (track) is listenable (AT LEAST average quality). Most tracks are very good to excellent, and only a couple are average. There are NO tracks that require fast fowarding--unlike the disapointing album "Very Necessary"--> which had a couple HUGE hits but MANY bad tracts. The only other Salt N Pepa album that I enjoed every track is their last and best album, "Brand New". My favorite tracks in "Black's Magic": (in no particular order) include: "Doper Than Dope", "Negro Wit An Ego","You Showed Me", "Do You Want Me", "Swift", and "I Like To Party". Its rare to find an album with so many good tracks, but its even more rare to find an album with NO bad tracks. This album delivers big time!

In summary, the Salt N Pepa albums that start with the letter "B" are the ones to buy first. "Blacks' Magic" and "Brand New" are the two best Salt N Pepa albums in my opinion, and both albums deliver quality on every single tract.

Slammin' Album!
Salt N Pepa really shines on this album which had brought them to their highest chart position so far. The party anthems "Expression" and "I Don't Know" have fat beats and smooth lyrics. The tracks "Let's Talk About Sex" and "Independent" not gives a vital information but brings out the best in Salt 'N' Pepa.

Makes you dance...
Blacks' Magic delivers the party hits. It combines rap and club/house music and produces off the top results. My favorite cuts on this album are "Expression," "I Don't Know," "You Showed Me" and "Start The Party." Great to dance to. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After catching heat for 2002's disappointing Masquerade, Wyclef Jean jiggered his "ecleftic" formula a bit; this time he's come closer to hitting the mark. Listeners will be pretty hard-pressed to find much actual rapping on The Preacher's Son, but the former Fugee does a good job showcasing a wide variety of musical genres, all crafted with the highest of production values. Tracks like "Baby Daddy" (an ode to step-fatherhood featuring Redman) and "Next Generation" (featuring Rah Digga and the always tight Scarface) give a brief nod to Clef's MC status while "Party to Damascus" (a duet with the ubiquitousMissy Elliott) helps bridge the gap between traditional and next-wave hip-hop. But the eclectic roster of non-MC guests proves that Wyclef's musical vision is bigger than hip-hop. Where else would you be able to hear Patti LaBelle, Carlos Santana, and Haitian kompa kings T-Vice all do their thing? --Rebecca Levine ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Pleasant album, but nothing special.
This is a decent album, Wyclef's writing some personal stuff, he's completely skipped the rap here and we'll get to see another part of him. There are guest artists on every song though, something that he's always been doing. I really wonder why cause he's a good artists and a good songwriter, he could do it by himself no? This album kicks of with a few good songs, "Celebrate" with good old Disco star Patti Labelle, "Party to damascus" with Missy, a song with cool beats but that's pretty much it. "3 night's in Rio" is nice, with Carlos Santano helping out with some good guitar riffs. "Class Reunion" is one of my favorites, a great ballad with Monica. Dance hall king Wayne Wonder teams up with Him and Elphant man on "Im your doctor" and Sharisssa on "Take me as i am" all allright songs, however in general the album doesn't give me anything special. Good pop album, nothing that will go down in history nor means anything to me, but pleasant listing. Another problem is that Wyclef got a tendency of always sounding the same, you could think that many songs are the same just that they have other beats, lyrics and guest artists, maybe that's the reason why he got so many guests on his albums?. At the end of the day this album is nice, no one will hate it but i doubt many people will remember this the following year either.

New label, new songs, new album, new Wyclef
Well it looks like Clef has done changed since he left Sony Music. He sings alot on this record, hardly does rap and when he does, it sounds just like his rhyming words. But I mean that's what he said about this album so besides that, this album is jam packed. The debut single "Industry" didn't really show off that much about what the album was about and it's sort of his rhyming-singing about the Hip-Hop industry these days. A track that really stands out on this album is "Party To Damscus" with Missy Elliott. It's a hot joint with Clef's singing and Missy's fine rap verses, not to mention the Hip-Hop Queen does some singing on the bridge as well. The remix of the track is exactly the same as the original except that Wyclef raps his verses in the track. This album displays many different aspects on life, love and living. An example would be the old-skool styled "Celebrate" which features Miss Lady Marmalade herself, Patti LaBelle and Refugee Newcomer, Cassidy. The song is about back in the days when people would come from the block to have a barbeque and a good time. Two songs which talk strongly about today's reality would be "Baby Daddy" which features Redman and speaks about being a step-father to your girlfriends child and how the men have to put up with it. The other is "Next Generation" which features Scarface and Flipmode member, Rah Digga. The track is about this generation of people and how they live, the lives of kids today, political issues and the pain and suffering of some people. Scarface and Rah Digga spit hot sixteens on this one. A number of tracks on the album Reggae related. From "I Am Your Doctor" with Wayne Wonder and Yellow Man to "Linda" to "Take Me As I Am" featuring Sharissa" to "Who Gave The Order" and many others. There's also Hip-Hop "Baby Daddy" Latin "Three Nights In Rio" Old skool "Baby" R&B "Class Reunion" with Monica and Rap "Grateful" Not to forget some Kompa style on "Party To The Sea" Overall, Wyclef has really impressed me on this album. He's truly shown his grown since his debut with the Fugees. He's not longer a gangsta or thug, he's finally grown himself into a man. Could it be because of his father's passing away? Could it be because of his marriage? Or could it be for the sake of maturity taking over. Who knows? All we know is, THE PREACHER'S SON IS BACK!

Remember Masquerade?
I almost lost hope in Wyclef after Ecleftic, a disappointing album with only a few solid songs. But thankfully he bounced back. This is a great album - diverse, smooth, funky - some dance songs, some slow tips, and some conscious tunes. Well balanced and FULL of amazing cameos from cool cats like Patti LaBelle, Wayne Wonder, Missy Elliott, Buju Banton (!), Elephant Man... A couple of red hot songs feature Sharissa and Monica. Pick this one up - if you liked the Wyclef on Masquerade and have a taste for some reggae tinged tunes, you will love this one.

give it a spin
a nice blend of soul, latin, reggae, r&b and hip-hop, this album is a very good introduction to wyclef jean. the lyrics are sometimes atrociously tacky - "this one goes out to my almond joy, my banana that never split" - but the album stands up on the strength of its eclectic musical approach, ensuring that there is something in it to satisfy everyone. a host of guest artists sits in - carlos santana, missy elliott, patti labelle, the edge, and dancehall favorite buju banton, among others. i would agree with some other reviewers that the record lacks focus, but then its not a concept album, nor is it meant to be. wyclef sings about all sorts of things - step-parenthood ("baby daddy"), internecine rap rivalry ("industry"), love ("i am your doctor", "baby"), social commentary ("next generation"), to name a few. nice mix of moods. some tracks, however, dont work. particularly annoying is "rebel music", where wyclef (or is it prodigy) raps over bollywood-style background music (befitting the reuniting of long-lost brothers with their mother type-scene). eewww!!!! an uneven album, but certainly worth your while to check out. especially on account of the bonus dvd (containing the studio sessions of some of the tracks) that comes with it.

Self Indulgent Tripe
Of course ego is all part of the game in hip hop music. But this CD is basically one man's inflated ego put on digital record. The low point is when he thanks God -- at length -- about simply being Wyclef. Not for his family, fans, talent .... no, simply BEING the great Wyclef is worth great thanks to God. Wyclef is his best when he puts on his reggae hat, such as in "Take me as I am," but even then sounds like a boring, flat version of Marley. And even in this celebrated love song, "Take me as I am" the subject matter is Wyclef himself. It's hard to imagine a love song that's all about "me, me, me" but Wyclef manages to do it. There's a few head-bobbing moments here, but overall the album is erratic, filled with dozens of guest apprearances. It's like 'clef is trying to impress us all with all the famous people he knows. Makes you wonder if he's capable of carrying an entire album by himself.

Sure there's variety on this ablum. He throws in a million genres. Trouble is, like the venerable jack of all trades, Wyclef does a million different things, but none of them very well. The end result is boring. It comes across as self aggrandizing tripe. "But he throws in a middle eastern thing in 'Rebel Music!'" True, but it still sucks. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Kriss Kross Will Make Ya Jump, Jump!!!
I love this CD too death!!!! Every track on this CD is tight!!!Whenever I hear the track "Jump," it just hypes me up. This album makes me reminisce about my high school days. This CD was released since I nearly graduated from high school in 1992. This CD is my party album when I wanted to go to clubs. I woke up on this CD when I went to high school. I have it playing on my walkman and I just can't get this album out of my head. If you are a fan of Kriss Kross, you should purchase this CD into your collection. I wonder where those boys have disappeared at?? I love those boys!!!!

The Daddy Mack Will Make YOU Jump! Jump!
HOLY S--T! This CD blows my mind, it's so cool. I remember when I first heard about these two kids that rapped about things I could relate to, like missing the bus. Shazbot, who hasn't missed a bus or two? Secondly, they do it with style and pluck!

And Jump is the only song I have ever stopped whatever I was doing and gotten down to. I'm serious. I could be in the middle of a final exam, and I'd jump on the table and break it down with all sorts of moves. And then, I'd look to the back of the test-taking-room, and Kriss Kross would be there, like the dead jedi in Empire, and they'd say, "JUMP! JUMP!" And I would.

Wherever the Dynamic Duo, or as they would put it in their totally krossed out style, Duo Dynamic, are begging for change, I wish them props!

Totally Krossed Out
Totally Krossed Out~ Kris Kross is what hansens is to rock so is Kriss Kross to rap meaning that it some kids having fun and singing. Not a bad album then it again they never equalled this and that is a shame.

good, very good
Summer of 1992, I just finished 2nd grade and Im on vacation at the beach. The song 'Jump' has been getting extremely heavy radioplay and all the kids at school had been sweating this song like anything. Visiting the Navy Exchange's rap section, what do I find but Kris Kross's tape sitting there. When I bought this I only wanted to listen to 'Jump' over and over, but it turned out all the songs were as good as this. Songs like 'Warm It Up' and 'I Missed the Bus' are classics, especially 'I Missed the Bus'; what kid hasnt woken up late and missed the school bus at least once in their life? A very listenable, catchy album, with good production by Jermaine Dupri throughout. A definite mustbuy for older kids who listened to them and for younger kids who wanna find out what the 2 backwards dressing preteen rapstars were all about

Right Up there with Ditty
Ditty ditty if you want to,
But I am going to Jump, JUMP!!
This is a great CD some of the best rap by preteens wearing their clothes backwards ever made.
Truely a MUST have
Daddy Mac WILL make you jump. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

My God, what a great idea!
When I saw this CD in the bins, I shook with excitement. How can you go wrong with the two greatest cheese-rappers ever? You can't, that's how. The Hammer section is solid gold, with every essential song he ever did (all five...) If you have this, you never need to buy another Hammer disc. It's got everything you need off both albums, and his contribution to the Addams Family soundtrack, so there you go. The Vanilla section isn't quite as good, though. It has Ice, Ice, Baby, of course, but nothing else off To The Extreme. Which is alright, in a way, since everyone still has their old cassette of To The Extreme somewhere (don't deny it), and this way, you also get Cool As Ice (his attempt at a follow up, which actually sounds alot like that other pinnacle of turn-of-the-decade rap, C+C Music Factory)) and some really amusing stuff from Extremely Live, so between To The Extreme and this, you have a consumerate Ice collection. Except for Hard To Swallow, of course, which I haven't heard, except for the rap-metal rerecording of Ice, Ice, Baby; Too Cold.

2 of the greatest rappers ever+on one cd=AMAZEMENT!!!
Vanilla Ice,and MC Hammer...ON ONE CD?Oh my God,this is too good to be true.Two of the most hardcore gangsta rappers ever on one cd.Now this is good.Everytime I hear "U Can't Touch This",I always get up and dance and entertain everyone.And don't get me started on "Ice Ice Baby".Everytime I hear it,I amaze everyone wit my mad wicked dancing skills."Too Legit 2 Quit" is my jam.I mean,everyones done told me stop dancing and everybody has left,but after dancing for only 45 minutes,why stop now?Why not just keep going.This record is "To The Extreme" because "You Can't touch This" talent...

Stella ===> Rocky ===> STEAK
Mmm..Mmm...GOOD!

Rappers don't really get any stars, they get 'shrooms.

Thx Amazon
"You can't touch this"

Smart concept to put two popular rappers on one CD!
When I saw this in 1997, I went "Long overdue!" They are the true reasons why rap albums spent 37 weeks at Number One on the Billboard 200 in 1990 and 1991! They were two different artists to me, even though they wore nearly the same kinds of glittery outfits. MC Hammer's songs concentrated on repetition and addictive hooks, while Vanilla Ice focuses more on his rap style riding over very catchy but daring dance tracks! But there is more an emphasis toward hip-hop than the pop labels given to them. They are surprisingly street too! This album has a lot of energy on most of it--it will have you dancing for days!!!! Along with Run-DMC and other artists before them, they helped rap become huge during the '90s. Even though their later albums never matched their most successful ones, they are still classic artists to me! The last Hammer song weaves very well into the first Ice song on this album. They were two of Capitol-EMI's most successful artists at the time, and it was smart for Capitol-EMI Special Markets to release this. I hope that each of them consider making another album like that and have everybody dancing again. They were really at the top of their games with their music.

Life is worth living... now.
This CD is an amalgam, a confluence if you will, of two radically different artists audio masterpieces. As everyone knows, "rap" music was invented in 1990 by Master of Ceremonies Hammer (or "MC Hammer", as he was known on the streets). The Hammer had tired of the drivel that emanated from the speakers whenever he turned the radio on. Hammer decided it was time, no... "Hammer Time", to make an album of music that would cause no less than a paradigm shift in the world's pop music scene. His Piece d' Resistance, "(yo)U can't touch this", garnered nationwide critical praise. The song was an infusion of street beats and quirky synths, and rife with Hammer's patented brand of bragadoccio and swagger. Perhaps Hammer's most stunning artistic achievement, "Have You Seen Her", is a tender ballad which showcased crisp beats and complex contrapuntal textures. As Hammer is also a high ranking member of Mensa, it surprised no one to hear such insightful and witty lyrics as "The girl is hard to see, like an unseen DJ". But Hammer knows that the formula for Success has a very important variable: God. With the release of "Pray", Hammer lets you know that he doesn't just have a closet full of baggy pants and a trophy case full of music awards... he also has a Bible. Well, as if having a disc full of Hammer's Sonic mastery weren't enough, included are tracks by his Protege, Vanilla Ice. Vanilla Ice began writing music under Hammer's auspices, and soon the student overtook the teacher. Vanilla literally turned the music industry on its head with "Ice Ice Baby", an obvious metaphor for the cold and unrelenting misery that everyone feels as they come to the painful realization that we are truly alone in this world. Vanilla also had impressive production skills, as is evident on his masterpiece "Dancin". The fast, schizophrenic editing and choppy beats have influenced such artists as Aphex Twin and Conway Twitty. Do yourself a favor, and purchase this CD as soon as possible. You will improve your quality of life by tenfold. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Wyclef Jean's third solo offering finds him still trying his darndest toprove to hip-hoppers and pop audiences alike just how eclectic he can be. And noone knows exactly why. After all, eclecticism does not necessarily translate toquality; Jean's disturbingly mediocre collaboration withTom Jones on anupdated version of "What's New, Pussycat?" is a prime example of how anintriguing idea can go awry. Likewise, his reinterpretations ofBob Dylan's"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and theFour Seasonshit "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" demonstrate just how spiritless thistruly gifted emcee/producer can sound. Sure, Masquerade boasts Wyclef'sbroad coverage of black music, flipping styles from reggae to R&B in aheartbeat. The R&B flavored "Two Wrongs," featuring Claudette Ortiz ofCity High, andthe touching ode to his recently deceased father, "Daddy," sound grand. But inthe end, Jean's attempt to masquerade as a hardcore rap artist on the "PJs"--atired ode to low-income housing dwellers--reveals that he's been on cruisecontrol since The Score.And it's a real shame. --Dalton Higgins ... Read more

Reviews (28)

clef does it again
Masquerade has gotten a lot of bad reviews from "music experts" but if you are a Fugee and/or Wyclef fan you will dig this record. It is eclectic which some people can't handle but I really love this album. The first three tracks are pure hip hop of which the best, in my opinion, is 80 Bars with some hot guitar playing by Clef. The rhymes on 80 Bars are quite clever as well. Masquerade is hot joint too and the violin at the end is really a stroke of genius. Party Like I Party and Thug Like Me are great tracks. The lyrics on War No More are a little silly but it is a great reggae tune and the two songs in creole are off the hook. And of course the duet with Claudette is a beautiful love song. Overall, it is more great work from Clef. Even if there is never another Fugee record, at least we have the musical talents of Wyclef to give the increasingly homogenous hip hop industry at least one artist who makes diverse and insightful music

Wyclef keeps it strong....
Wyclef Jean should be highly praised for his work in the musical industry. He has kept his music positive since he first emerged on the scene with the Fugees in 1994, and has blended in old school rhythms, silky smooth soul, bangin hip hop and infectious reggae. After searving up two successful smash albums with The Carnival & Elecleftic, Wyclef steps out the most on this album openly attacking american society, racial profiling, low income housing scams and numerous other political topics.

While discussing these issues, Wyclef does it in a very peaceful manner, one that would even make Martin Luther King Jr. proud. The album's first single "The PJ's" is about his tough life growing up in the projects, and how to save others lives from going down the wrong paths. "Peace God" is basically about the same issues, but this also includes the point of view from a child rapper that opens the song. The album's second single "Two Wrongs" with Claudette Ortiz of City High, is a scorching smash ballad, which is very much like is 2000 single "911" with Mary J. Blige.

Clef blends in the old school on his Tom Jones collaboration "PussyCat", but keeps the new school alive, by collaborating with artists like M.O.P ("Masquerade"), Sharissa ("Keep it Gangsta") and Bumpy Knuckles ("Masquerade"). Wyclef also discusses the loss of his father, a depressing point in his life which brought forth some amazing material on "Knocking on Heaven's Door" & "Daddy". Clef also kicks back into his Fugee days serving up a blazing hip hop joint "80 Bars" where he address numerous issues and address controversial topics.

Overall Wyclef has come back strong. Though he has put his best effort into his material, he is just a mediocre rapper, but it doesn't always matter how much he rhymes, it matters about what he is saying. Wyclef is not afraid to address issues that people are concerned about, and let his fans know about political issues that they would not know about. His work is very inspirational and he is a highly talented musician. I give him all the credit in the world.

Wyclef
Wyclef mixes unique voice with hip-hop and the Carribean, and the result is a tight album. I don't know what yall were thinkin if you gave him less than 3 stars. The last songs just make you want to get up and start shakin it. The one thing I find wrong with this album is that he keeps pretending the CD is a radio station. But, still 5 stars. Also, Wyclef has tha tightest cadillacs.

One of the most realest rappers alive!
I've been trynna search for a new artist with the style of old rap style, but none of them have it! The only really new artist with old rap style is Angie Martinez who's actually been rapping since 1996/1997. This album I respect for it hardly lacks anything of old rap style. I think Wyclef is one of the best rappers ever! Him and the rest of the Fugees, will always be one of the best in the Rap Industry besides all the other old styled rappers like 'Pac and B.I.G and Lil' Kim etc. This album has a title which I dedicate to all the new rappers who think they it. Their music is all a "MASQUERADE" it's a lie. Wyclef has really done it for himself this time! The rap songs (Peace God, PJ's, 80 Bars, Masquerade) are all hot songs with phat verses thrown by Wyclef and featured artists on the records. I was busy reading another review of this album and I found something true, Wyclef brought one of the best R&B Ballad songs we've heard in a decade, that song being "Two Wrongs" with Claudette Ortiz. A piece of work which I fancy has gotta be "You Say Keep It Gangsta" cuz it's hot and this is what artists like Nelly and 50 Cent are saying, but when beef come, they run! A song which really hit me was "Daddy" it's a Gangsta-Rap-Ballad which should touch people who've had this situation (like my best friend) and also peeps who know what feelings are. To end off with, get this album and bump all them [other] rappers off the rap rack ...! WYCLEF is da BOMB and so is MASQUERADE, GOD BLESS HIM!

Wyclef is all about peace and love
I don't care what people say, but this album is great. I mean the man can do it all. From the lyrics to the sound of his guitar. At least I can see someone who is not just after my money, but also want to send a message out there. I mean Clef keep up the good work. The man does everything humanly possible to make this album. And he should receive the love he deserves. That's what I call music. ... Read more