Southside Pentagon - Money Over Everything

Southside Pentagon - Money Over Everything

Southside Pentagon is a collective that represents from the hard hitting streets of Houston, TX. The members are D-Gotti, E.L., Craig C, Lil Jay, W.B., Tito, Vandalizm, Trip, Black, Big Tiger and Ban. The group was started by D-Gotti of the Wreckshop and E.L. of Deep South Syndicate as a side project but it quickly evolved into something bigger. Their goal was just to reach the masses on the southside of town but with E.L.'s connections in Louisiana, it helped this release surpass their modest expectations. Money Over Everything is their debut album and it was released in 2001 on M.O.E. Inc. The bulk of the production is handled by the veteran, J Slash of .380 while Noke D, Trip and Mack chip in on some tracks. The beats are a quality blend of the new era sound and since this is a post 2000 release, that was somewhat expected. That being said, it still should not discourage the listener because overall the rhythms are quite unique and while some are sample assisted, the rest carry a genuine feel. Lyrically the album is respectable as well. E.L., D-Gotti and Craig C are the stand outs of course but the rest of the group is not too far behind. Their rhymes carry a good amount of word play and are also delivered with precision. Since this is a large collective, chemistry issues were bound to arise but the founding members made sure to keep those at bay and only made combinations on tracks that easily work. Now, no H-Town record is complete without a star studded guest list and this release is no exception to that rule. Guest appearances are made by Fat Pat, Lil' Keke, Lil' O, Mike D, E.S.G., Hawk, 3-2, Slim Thug, J Slash of .380, Chris Ward, Southside Playaz, Ronnie Spencer, Lady 14, Chad, June, Roxan and Peaches. This can be considered a little guest heavy but with eighteen solid tracks to boast, the features are quite spread out. All in all, a commendable release by the group and also one that appeals from all angles. Plus, with Texas & Louisiana connecting, it makes this release a bit more special and that much harder to deny.

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Album Notes
* Rest in peace to Mr. Fat Pat and his brother, Big Hawk.
* Track 9: Chop'em is a pretty lethal diss towards Lil' Flip by E.S.G.
* Also the spine of the album states this release as a Volume One.

Will-Lean - The Chemist

Will-Lean - The Chemist

William Gibbs better known as Will-Lean, is a rapper who represents from the notorious neighborhood of Cloverland in Houston, TX. He is a member of the Botany Boys as well as the legendary collective known as the Screwed Up Click. The Chemist is his debut solo album and it was released in 2000 on Big Shot Records. The production varies from track to track and it is provided by M. King, Double D, Bruce Rhodes, Swift, Willy Malone, J.P. Nitty, Eric Hollis, Noke D, Tone Capone, Jhiame, Crazy C and D-Red of the Botany Boys. With a lineup this star studded, it is damn near impossible to disappoint. The beats can be classified under the certified grade-A, Texas funk category. The groovy rhythms are filled with such melody that head bobbing is the only option left for the listener. Will is no newcomer on the microphone. Whether it was his early freestyles on Screw Tapes or his fast paced verses with the Botany Boys, he has always been considered to be a very strong and formidable lyricist. His sharp yet distinct tone combined with the use of clever word play is the recipe for all his rhymes. To top it all off, he also manages to deliver them at a decently quick pace and it is this deadly combination that separates him from the rest. Since no S.U.C. album is complete without an all star guest list, this release is no exception. Will-Lean made sure he invited all his good friends to share a spot beside him in the recording booth. Guest appearances are made by DJ Screw, the Botany Boys, E.S.G., Lil' O, Al-D, Big Moe, Big Pokey, Dat Boy Grace, Hawk, Enjoli, Lil' Flip, T-Pop, A.C.T., Mista Madd, Papa Reu, Guerilla Maab, H.$.E., Noke D, D-Reck, Big T, Ronnie Spencer, B.G. Duke, Scoopastar, Taz, Lil' Real and last but not least the Big Tymers. All in all it is a valiant effort by the Cloverland native and one that boasts sixteen choice cuts. Although it is a little guest heavy and the release went out of print very quickly, the tracks are all still top quality. Will-Lean is still relevant today as he continues to release mix-tapes while selling most of the copies right out of the trunk section of his vehicle.

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Southern Kartel - As The World Goes Round

Southern Kartel - As The World Goes Round
Southern Kartel is a group from Pine Bluff, AR. It consists of Smoke, Black Trump, K.O. and C-Rupt. As The World Goes Round is their debut album and it was released in 2001 on Black Trump Entertainment. Production on the album is smoothly done by Trump and Ace. The beats are a perfect example of southern fried funk at its finest. They contain various melodies mixed with jamming hooks and solid bass lines. The lyrics are excellent as well. All four members unquestionably shine on the mic. Their rhymes are deeply rooted and certainly eclectic. Guest appearances are made by Hawk of the Screwed Up Click, Playa Fly, Mo-Preme of Thug Life, Ronnie Spencer and Bobby Baller. Overall the record is a representation of timeless quality music. It is highly under rated and it does not get the credit it deserves. The group later separated over creative differences and this ended up being their only album. Members Smoke, Trump and K.O. have also released some solo albums as well.

X-Bam Compilation - The Classics

X-Bam Compilation - The Classics
X-Bam Records was a record label from Houston, TX. It was founded by Bam in the mid 90's. The label served as a home to many members of the notorious Killa Klan. It was later shut down due to financial issues. The Classics is basically a compilation album that was released in 2007 on One Stop Entertainment. The record is magnificently produced by the likes of Scarface, T-Mixx, MJG, Icey Hott of Street Military, G-Rapp The General, Doc Doom and Rodney Ex. The beats are a perfect blend of rhytmical synths and sublime bass lines. They represent that classic underground sound that Houston was known for. The lyrics are abstract, yet rough. They contain various word schemes as well as some rapid inflections. The rhymes are courtesy of the Fakkulty, Pharoah, Bam, K.B Da Kidnappa, Lil' Flea, Papa Reu, Ronnie Spencer and Montina Cooper. Overall its a 17 track album that is fine picked and is derived from many underground hits. It also commemorates the legacy left behind by the legandary Killa Klan. In the words of the invincible Pharoah, "....salute the double K's."

Al-D - 4 Da Green

Al-D - 4 Da Green
Al-D is a rapper from Houston, TX. He is also regarded as one of the original members of the Screwed Up Click. This was the first album released by a member of the S.U.C. since the passing of Screw. It was released in 2001 on Reliant Entertainment. Production on the album is done by Double D of Wreckshop, Muhammad 2G, Blue Note and Chris Cooley. The beats can be easily described as top notch Texas funk. They contain some melodic hooks along with jamming synths and solid bass lines. Al-D's flow is unique in every aspect. He's been spitting hard since the mid 90's and he continued his assault on the mic on this album. Featuring artists are K-Rino of the South Park Coalition, Z-Ro, Trae, Botany Boys, Lil' Keke, 3-2, Yungstar, Mike D, Shorty Mac, South Park Mexican, Ronnie Spencer and Enjolie. The record also contains a seven minute tribute track to the late, great DJ Screw. All in all the album accumulates material that can be considered gratifying and it also earned Al-D the title, "The Lion Of The Screwed Up Click."

DJ DMD - Eleven

DJ DMD - Eleven

DJ DMD is an excellent rapper and producer from Port Arthur, TX. Eleven is the debut album by DMD and the Inner Soul Clique. It was released in 1997 on Inner Soul Records. Production was done by DJ DMD and Skip Holman. Thundering bass lines and solid samples are the foundation for all the beats. Lyrics are also very impressive. DMD and the numerous members of the Inner Soul Clique can wreck the microphone with ease. Featuring artists on the album are UGK, DJ Screw & the Screwed Up Click, Ronnie Spencer and the Inner Soul Clique which consists of Blue Lite, Lee Masta, Bull, Momo, Lil' Wink and Boonie Locc. This album also contains two versions of the infamous track "So Real." One has DJ Screw and Al-D on it while the other one is a remix which has Fat Pat, Lil' Keke, Mike D, C-Note of the Botany Boys with Screw attending to the turntables. A very commendable album overall especially for being a debut. DJ DMD went on and released the album "Twenty-Two: P.A. World Wide" in 1998 and concluded with "Thirty-Three: Live From Hiroshima" in 2001. DJ DMD was a member in the group called The Original Point Blank and is also well known respected affiliate of the infamous Underground Kingz.

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918 - Reincarnated

918 - Reincarnated
918 is a rap duo from Tulsa, OK. The two rappers are Nine Eightee and C.T.S.E. Loc. This is their second album and was released in 2001 on Smugglin' Records. This album is dedicated and also named in the memory of C.T.S.E. He passed away in 1997 after releasing their debut album. Rest in peace Loc. Production on this record was done by Mr. Lee, E-Loc and Mike Mosley. The beats are pretty good and quite fresh. Lyrics are also diverse and can carry the album well. Featuring artists are UGK, E-40, B-Legit, Devin The Dude, C-Bo, Ronnie Spencer, Billy Cook, Ace Deuce, KB, A-G-2-A-Ke, Lethal, Critical and Six-2. Although this record contains really good material ranging from the beats to the lyrics and even the appearances, it still happens to be very under rated. 918 is also the area code for eastern Oklahoma.

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Botany Boys - Thought Of Many Ways

Botany Boys - Thought Of Many Ways
Botany Boys is a group from Cloverland, a neighborhood located on the southside of Houston, TX. The group first started in 1996 when they released their debut LP, Smokin 'N Leanin. The members are C-Note, D-Red, Will Lean, Head, D-E-Z, Pap Pap and the Botany B.G.'s which consists of Lil' 3rd and B.G. Gator. Their sophomore record, Thought Of Many Ways is a 2-Disc album which was released in 1997 on Big Shot Records. D-Red is the man behind all the production and he did an excellent job on this one. The Beats are hard hitting and are filled with woozy and whiny synths. Each member has a distinct flow and their lyrics vary on both discs. Disc 1 is more laid back with smooth flows while Disc 2 is more gangsta and contains that southern harsh reality. Features are courtesy of Bun B of UGK, D of Trinity Garden Cartel, Big Moe, Lil' Keke, Ronnie Spencer, Quanell X, Angie, Vic, and the legendary DJ Screw. The group released their final ablum "Botany Forever" in 2000 and eventually broke up. Members D-E-Z and Head got incarcerated and another member lost his life. Rest in peace B.G. Gator. Members C-Note, Will Lean and D-Red pursued a solo route. This group was also part of the Screwed Up Click (S.U.C.). Thought Of Many Ways will always remain a H-Town classic. The Botany Boys held their ground and put the neighborhood of Cloverland on the map.

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