Thursday, March 12, 2015

GT & Steve Nice - Our House

GT & Steve Nice - Our House
GT and Steve Nice are not only rappers but also producers and DJ's from Houston, TX. GT is originally from the neighborhood of Flatbush in Brooklyn, NY but part of his family would later relocate to Houston in the early eighties and has resided there ever since. GT, which is abbreviation for "Gifted/Talented," first started off with K-Rino and Preppy J when they formed one of Houston's first hip-hop acts known as Real Chill. The group only managed to release one single and soon disbanded, while member K-Rino pursued a solo career. DJ Steve Nice on the other hand is a native of Dallas, TX but has also held residence in Houston as well. The two met as students at Texas Southern University and eventually started Key Players Entertainment in the mid nineties. Our House is their debut album and it was released in 1998 on Key Players Entertainment. Production is mostly done by the legendary Mike B but he is assisted by the likes of Crazy C, Doc Doom, Def Jam Blaster, Skool Of Thought and of course GT & Steve Nice themselves. The beats are undeniably smooth and they carry a very laid back vibe. The use of samples as well as other DJ techniques are quite prominent and are also used very effectively. Although some tracks are a bit simple and plain, most of the record is very well rounded and can be a real treat for the ear drums. Lyrically is where the album truly excels. Eclectic styles are displayed with the mix of strong word play and complex rhyme patterns. GT is definitely the more dominant member while Steve Nice tends to be a bit passive on the microphone. Both of them feed off each other with ease and lay down an impressive lyrical foundation. Features are courtesy of Kaylee of Ace Deuce, Skool Of Thought, D of Trinity Garden Cartel, Mista Madd, Petu, T. Gray and Marcus of S.O.U.L. A plentiful total of twenty tracks which includes the four hilarious skits are presented with precision for the listener. The core content is very unique and is projected with a broad variety of subject matter. All in all its an extraordinary work of art that genuinely oozes style and charm. One that exceeds further than its reputation and appearance while also maintaining a flawless composure.

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