D-Red - Smokin' & Lean'n 2000

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D-Red is a multi talented artist from the neighborhood of Cloverland located on the south side of Houston, TX. He is known throughout the southern region for his superb production skills as well as his provability on the microphone. D-Red began his career in the mid nineties with the collective known as the "Botany Boys." After a lengthy stint with them, the group disbanded over incarcerations of members D-E-Z & Lil' 3rd as well as the untimely death of B.G. Gator. The remaining members decided to branch off towards solo projects. This is Red's debut solo album and it was released in 2000 on Big Shot Records. Production in its' entirety is handled by D-Red himself. His approach for the tracks is a little different than his previous production pattern. He models the beats after the new millennium sound rather than the more accustomed hard street sound. Somehow he still manges to deliver a good amount of quality tracks. Lyrics have also been somewhat minimized in the sense that they are just not strong enough. D-Red was a lot more vicious and lethal on the mic when he was with the Botany Boys. It seems here that he has either lost interest or that he is trying to change his style so that he can be more widespread into the mainstream. The sub par lyrics are also the reason why there is a guest appearance on each and every track. Although there are some tracks that really stand out and shine. Featuring on the album are the Botany Boys, Botany B.G.'z, Brew of Mass 187, Wood of the Half Dead Organization, South Park Mexican, Menace Clan, B-1 of the S.P.C., Se7en, Godfather, 2 Phace, T.P. Sin, Kirby-D, and 1 Da Boy. All in all it is a decent effort from the Cloverland native but it tends to fall short of anything more than just that. D-Red is also a member of the Screwed Up Click and as well as the Clover Geez.