Showing posts with label Jermaine Dupri. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jermaine Dupri. Show all posts

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Reese & Bigalow - Unfinished Business

Reese & Bigalow - Unfinished Business
Reese & Bigalow is a duo that represents from the infamous Wood Street in Jackson, MS. They first started out in the early nineties as members of The Renegades. The group was one of the first acts to represent for the city of Jackson and eventually paved the way for many other artists, Reese and Bigalow left the group after their initial release and formed their duet while Lon Trigga of The Renegades went on to form the notorious, Wood Street Playaz. Unfinished Business is their second album and it was released in 2000 on Lil Mann's Records. Production is equally split between Mike B, Gutta Boy and JB Money. The beats are Southern in composure and while most of them are fairly enjoyable, there are some that lack a bit of energy and edginess. The three producers do a decent job at constructing the rhythms but it's their simple approach at times that takes a hit. Lyrically, the album is quite good. Both, Reese and Bigalow are pretty adequate on the microphone and their verbal chemistry is also reasonably strong. Their rhymes display constant word play and are also delivered at a fair rate. Guest appearances are courtesy of 20-2-Life, PSK-13, South Park Mexican, Ska-Face Al Capone, Bone Crusher, Crooked Lettaz, King Goldi, Poetic Preachaz, Dez, J2, Frank Da Macka and Fe-Fe. The album closes out with a commendable total of sixteen tracks and the rock solid guest list makes it that much harder to deny. Overall it's a noble release that has a good amount of highs instead of the lows. The only knock on it is the basic production but even with that blemish the album manages to sustain itself. Reese & Bigalow went on to release one more album in 2002 before slowly fading out of the music industry. The groups' unlucky demise was brought by the hands of the Atlanta based rapper known as Bone Crusher. Bone, who was signed to Jermaine Dupri's label known as So So Def, was once a loyal friend who quickly turned foe over ownership of a single track. The song in question is called "Neva Sked" and it comes from Reese & Bigalow's 2002 release known as, "Playa Music." The track featured a verse from Bone Crusher and Killer Mike. It was produced by Avery Johnson and was purchased by Reese & Bigalow for their new album. The exact same song was released by Bone Crusher for his debut album in the year 2003 and the only major difference was the verses of Reese & Bigalow were removed and replaced with a verse from T.I. The title was also changed to "Never Scared." Bone Crusher's version of the song ended up being a chart topping hit and eventually propelled him into the limelight. Reese & Bigalow did file a law suit against Bone Crusher over copyright infringement but they never got the recognition or the praise for the original song. They were most likely paid off by the deep pockets of Jermaine Dupri and were supposedly told to keep their mouths shut about the whole issue. It's unfortunate what happened to Reese & Bigalow but then again it just goes to show how corrupt some of these major labels are and how how cruel this music industry can be at times.

Deadly Verses
Unfinished Business ft. Ska-Face Al Capone & PSK-13


Sunday, July 12, 2015

Kris Kross - Young, Rich & Dangerous

Kris Kross is a rap duo that hails from the acclaimed streets of Atlanta, GA. It consists of Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith and Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly. The names can get a bit confusing but that is by intention and design which in turn honors their combined alias. They are best known for their hit single "Jump" which is off their debut album "Totally Krossed Out" and also for their unique fashion sense which consisted of wearing their entire clothing outfit, backwards. They two were discovered at a local shopping mall in Atlanta by Jermaine Dupri when they were just thirteen years old and he immediately sensed the raw talent at hand. Young, Rich & Dangerous is their third album and it was released in 1996 on Ruffhouse Records. The production is done through the quintessential Jermaine Dupri and is certainly of top quality. The tracks are laced with his signature up beat pattern and are quite melodic. That distinct southern vibe is definitely present and the process of sampling is also put to good use. Lyrically the album falls a tad bit shy, especially when compared to the duo's last two outings. Although both are very capable and talented lyricists, there are times when the intensity just isn't there. Now granted this is when the duo was really trying to find their voice as well as their direction in the rap industry. Their last two albums were branded and marketed for the younger crowd while this one is aimed towards the older, street savvy generation. Guest appearances are made by Da Brat, Aaliyah, Big Rube, Mr. Black, Jermaine Dupri and Trey Lorenz. This record is split into two halves with six tracks belonging to each side. The Smith Side seems to be orientated for the streets while The Kelly Side is a bit more smooth and laid back. Overall the whole album is decently put together and while there maybe some low points, it still manages to finish on a high. It also help spawn one of the most notorious freestyles in southern rap history, the infamous "June 27" by the legendary DJ Screw who uses the instrumental of the track "Da Streets Ain't Right." On May 1st, 2013, Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly was found unresponsive in his home and was later pronounced dead. A toxicology report was released by the Atlanta Medical Center which stated that he had died from a drug overdose. He was only thirty four years old. Rest in peace to the innovative and the ever ingenious Chris Kelly.

Deadly Verses



Deadly Video