The first solo Latino rapper to go platinum (with 1998's Capital Punishment), Christopher "Big Pun" Rios didn't live to see the release of this follow-up. Despite a relieved-sounding boast about losing 100 pounds on the pe... more »rcolating "It's So Hard," Pun died of apparent heart problems early in 2000. Yeeeah Baby is a final testament he could be proud of. Imaginative production backs Pun to the hilt as he moves from the smooth Spanglish flow of "It's So Hard" to the living-well-is-the-best-revenge tale "Laughing at You" and the neighborhood-threatening "New York Giants." Loud, strong, and clear throughout, he'll be missed. --Rickey Wright« less
The first solo Latino rapper to go platinum (with 1998's Capital Punishment), Christopher "Big Pun" Rios didn't live to see the release of this follow-up. Despite a relieved-sounding boast about losing 100 pounds on the percolating "It's So Hard," Pun died of apparent heart problems early in 2000. Yeeeah Baby is a final testament he could be proud of. Imaginative production backs Pun to the hilt as he moves from the smooth Spanglish flow of "It's So Hard" to the living-well-is-the-best-revenge tale "Laughing at You" and the neighborhood-threatening "New York Giants." Loud, strong, and clear throughout, he'll be missed. --Rickey Wright
"Pun had skills, no doubt. His 1998 debut "Capital Punishment," was a classic. This album does not measure up to that, but it's still pretty good overall.
"Watch Those" is a nice track in which Pun spits those same kinds of wicked lines he mastered on Capital Punishment. "It's So Hard" finds Pun experimenting with a different flow, in which he hightens his voice during the middle and end of each line. It's also rather sad, as he says at the end of the first verse "I just lost a hundred pounds, I'm tryna live!"
"New York Giants" is a hyped up joint, which isn't surprising considering it features everybody's favorite hyped-up duo, M.O.P. "N*gga Sh*t" features a dope beat courtesy of Buckwild, but it's far too short, clocking in at only 1:45. Other standout tracks include "Off Wit His Head," "Leather Face," and "Laughing At You."
The album trails off slightly at the end, with a few tracks (and guests) that fail to justify their being on the album. Overall, despite it's flaws and short length, "Yeeeah Baby" is still a worthy buy.
R.I.P. Pun"
It's so hard to realize he's gone
Alexis Malone | NY BABY | 05/03/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"When I first heard Big Pun a few years ago on "Still Not A Player", and rushed out and picked his cd up thinking I am buying it solely for that song. But the cd surprised me and I found it to be great and worthy of 5 stars. So when I heard this cd was coming out I was totally excited, but then came the new of his death. This is the last testament to Big Pun AKA Christopher Rios and I wished it was better. It's not bad, but I was feeling Capitol Punishment more. Still Pun serves up some phat beats just as he did on his first release. The first release It's So Hard is one that hits you. Pun says he lost 100 pounds because he wanted to live and yet god had other plans. But Pun still left us with other good songs such as: Watch Those, Off Wit His Head, NY Giants, It's So Hard, You Was Wrong, amongst others. The cd still has all the elments as his first but he seems to slide a little bit on the release. But most of the beats are strong as well as the lyrics. If you like Big Pun's previous work then you will probally find this cd to be well worth it. Yeeeah Baby, thanks for giving us this cd!PS: I loved Big Pun and I must say in this review that I will miss this man. He was a great artist and a great man. He'll be missed along with all the other young rap greats that were taken away."
Mayyyyybe Baby
Big F | Mäntsälä Mielessäin, Finland | 05/22/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Big Pun was one of the most talented poets of modern hip hop. There, I said it. Despite my love for more underground artists like Chino, Godfather Don or Aceyalone, I gotta admit I had a secret affair with Pun's sick, twisted, witty and original lyrics/flow. 'Capital Punishment' is undeniably one of the best debuts ever. So how do you approach 'Yeeeah Baby'? You just cant help but to compare it with the immortal debut album. The problem with this album is that there are simply too many guests. Who wants to listen to Prospect, probably the least talented member of the TS, grunt his guts out in 'Off Wit His Head'? Who doesnt want to listen to the Punisher? 'Ms. Martin', the track which introduces Remi Martin, a relative newcomer, to the mainstream audience, is just plain WEAK. Pun does nothing but talk on the chorus, and the beat (by DJ Shok)... Please. Other wack moments include 'My D**k' (heard the issue too many times, a corny chorus) and 'You Was Wrong' (with the no-flow Fat Joe, the no-talent Drag-On, and the no-good Remi Martin once again). But there are moments when Pun truly shines. 'Watch Those' and 'Leather Face' are both extremely hardcore tracks, with some nice guitar riffs, ill flow and sick lyrics. Especially 'Watch Those' reminds you of the time when Pun was still all 'Capital Punishment', no fancy choruses and no wack production. Oh, those were the days. The other ten tracks (minus the intro and the not-funny skit) are either extremely dope ('New York Giants' with Brooklyn's loudest, M.O.P.) or extremely average (the 'you-already-know-this-sure-to-be-a-hit-track' 'It's So Hard'). All in all, this kinda reminds me of Biggie's swan song, 'Life After Death'. Somehow you just have to listen to it, despite the too regular moments of wackness. R.I.P. Punisher."
Weak
hiphoprandb | College Park, MD | 06/26/2000
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I hate to say this, because I had been really looking forward to this album, but it's weak. If you don't have the first Big Pun yet, then get that one first. This CD suffers from lots of R&B type beats (like his first single), and lackluster delivery. Maybe I'm a little unfair because his first CD was great, and this one just doesn't even come close to the standard he set. If you're looking for some nice rhymes of Big Pun, maybe you should check D.I.T.C. where his guest rhymes are easily better than most of what he does on his sophomore album."
Mediocre At Best (2.5 Stars)
Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 02/27/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Do I really need to state the obvious? Probably not, but I'll do it anyway. Pun is capable of much, much better work. Albums like this are why I remain skeptical when it comes to purchasing posthumous releases. I'd have to say that, after listening to Capital Punishment, this album was a huge letdown.
There are some decent tracks to be found, but they are most definitely the minority. "Watch Those" is cool, but it suffers from a suspect hook. "Off With His Head" is dope and "It's So Hard" is tight. My favorite song on the album would have to be "100%" though. It has an infectious beat and Pun laces the track like he's supposed to.
Unlike his first album, the majority of this album is mediocre. "My D*ck" is hilarious and the intro to "Laughing At You" is funny too, but neither song should've seen the light of day. Songs like "Wrong Ones", "Leather Face", and "Ni**a Sh*t" are all corny and "We Don't Care" and "You Was Wrong" are just plain wack. "My Turn" literally put me to sleep and it's pretty obvious that there weren't enough Pun joints to go around because Remy Martin has a solo joint on Pun's album. Go figure. Oh yeah, the song is wack and Remy is terribly overrated.
This album sounds like it was rushed and thrown together at the last second so Pun fans would have something new to hold on to after his sudden departure. All it did for me was confirm my suspicions about posthumous releases. While Pun can be mentioned as one of the better emcees to bless the mic, this album simply does not reflect the potential or follow through on the promise that was so heavily evident on his first LP. I'd reccomend passing on this album if you're not a die hard Pun fan.
Standout Tracks: It's So Hard feat. Donnell Jones, Watch Those, 100% feat. Tony Sunshine, New York Giants feat. M.O.P., and Off With His Head feat. Prospect