Search - Bad Azz :: Personal Business

"Personal Business" Review

Crazy Jim | Massachusetts | 11/10/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Bad Azz, the heir to the throne of the LBC's favorite son, Snoop Dogg, still remains one of rap's best-kept secrets. His debut project is not very easy to find in most retail stores and this follow-up album didn't exactly set the charts ablaze. Perhaps, it is Snoop's interest in his own solo career that has kept artists on his own label such as Mr. Bad from acheiving as much as they could. In any case, "Personal Business" is just one of many albums that still doesn't get its just due. To be honest, "Personal Business" isn't exactly in the same boat as long-ignored classics like Kurupt's "Streetz Iz A Mutha" or any of DJ Quik's solo albums but it certainly proves that if nothing else, Bad Azz has superstar potentiol. With such stand-out tracks as "U Don't Wanna Be Broke" and "It's On All Day", Bad Azz ponders the many struggles of black youth in a way that reminds us of an early Tupac. Problem is with an overabundance of guest spots, tracks like these are few and far between. "Don't Wanna Die", a thinly-disguised lyrical jab at Death Row Records with fellow DPG alumni, Daz Dillinger, makes for one of the record's most memorable moments. Bad's explosive duet with Ice Cube on "Streetz Illustrated" is the album's definitive highlight. Cube seems to mirror Eminem's flow on "Forget About Dre" as he teams with Bad Azz for a stunning collaboration between past and future West Coast superstars. Had this album been allowed to reach its full potentiol, this could have been a hit single that bumped for years to follow. Snoop Dogg as the "executive producer" seems to really drop the ball here. While him and Bad have always made for an effective pairing, it is very rarely evident here. The decision to release "Wrong Idea" as the album's first single seems poor as the record can also be found on Snoop Dogg's "Last Meal" LP. Adding Bad to a pre-exisiting collaboration between Snoop and Kurupt on "Money 2 Fold" seems to interupt the flow and Snoop's pimp alter ego, Snoopy Collins, who shows up on "When You See Me" is just awful beyond words. Despite its handful of flaws, this album still could have been a success had it been promoted correctly. Unfournately, Bad Azz adds himself to the list of artists who never really got the right treatmant on Priority and the even larger list of West Coast rappers who despite having just as much talent as their East Coast counterparts have never been given the right amount of "radio play". His recent decision to go the independent route may have been the best choice. While "Personal Business" is really only half the album it could be, it is still worth a listen to those who are tired of the same old raido-friendly bubble gum rap."

Real ...

ezaay | Wichita, Ks USA | 08/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This ... is keepin it real. He got something to smoke to, somethin to ride to, something to get yo freak on to. It's an all around good cd. I can listen to it several times in a row and everytime I rehear a song - I feel it like it was the first time I heard it. Of course big snoop helps keep it bossed up.
YOU GOTZ TA DO IT!!!!!"

Don't Get the Wrong Idea!

Enlightened | Atlanta Georgia | 11/12/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Dogghouse Label has proved that they can drop quality releases from multiple artists. So far they have released two quality Eastsidaz albums, Doggys Angels, Snoop Dogg's Last Meal(released jointly with No Limit) The Bones Soundtrack and Bad Azz Personal Business.There is not a dropoff in quality as Bad Azz rips his way through 20 tracks. After this commercial release and two videos (How We Get Down, Wrong Idea) , its a shame most people still don't know who Bad Azz is. I like to think of him as a west coast AZ, as both have similar style and voice and remain relatively unknown despite their skill.The label producers are kept for this release as well: Battlecat, Meech Wells, Blaqtoven, Jelly Roll, LT Hutton as well as others contribute to this excellent release. Guest appearances are handled by Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Val Young, Doggy's Angels, Latoiya Williams, Ras Kass, Sylk E. Fine, Butch Cassidy, Dogg Pound, Eastsidaz, Suga Free, Kokane and RBX.Bad Azz delivers some great lyrics on this cd and the production magnifies this. He has a butter smooth flow and voice just made for chilling at the crib or cruising on the streets. But a flaw he has is that sometimes his voice gets too soft almost like a whisper causing the listener to zone out sometimes. But this is minor compared to the big picture......When ya aint listening to the lyrics you are bobbing ya head to these infectious beats. My favorite song is the Battlecat produced How We Get Down feat. Doggy's Angels and Latoiya Williams. The beat is funky and infectious and it is definitely a party starter. A Classic party song. A Nice, fun, sunny track. Most of the songs on this album have that vibe to them which is good. It also includes Wrong Idea which can also be found on Snoops Last Meal.There is some filler though, dont be mistaken, and it comes near the end. When You See Me just isnt a good track. The beat is less than stellar and Kokane's moaning is unbearable over it. Life Aint Never What it Seems has a terribly lame chorus but the beat is cool. Those two horrible songs bring the rating down. But this is still a quality release and you should pick it up if ya feeling the West Coast. I Recommend it."