Worth the wait. Perfect album. Best release this year.
N. Diaz | Pasadena | 03/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Chino XL is a beast on the mic. I was kind of worried that maybe this album would have Chino trying to get into the mainstream with some cheesy songs.... Nope. Chino XL returned back to his underground roots and dropped probably the best album to come out since Canibus's "Rip the Jacker". The tracks/beats are dope and original. Chino stepped up his already untouchable lyrics and ripped it. I did not skip a track. I can honestly say that this CD will be heralded as a classic. There is no way you will not love this cd if you purchase it. The special guests are very suprising. Killah Priest did his thing and held his own...but the suprise was Proof of D12...I did not know that he could rap like that. much props. buy this album. or hate yourself later for not buying it."
Bubble gum rappers need to stop rapping now.
R. A. Hill | Springfield, MA | 03/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Nelly dissing KRS-One, we got to stop him". There's no album this year that will compare to Poison Pen. Chino XL is one of the best lyricist alive. This is a definite banga. You won't be disappointed."
The Messiah
J. Thomas | 06/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I read a review that said Chino Xl is too much like Eminem and he took his style? Eminem jacked chino's style and used it for himself there is no one out there with a style like Xl, once he signs to a major label, hes gonna rule the rap game"
His pen is mightier than your sword (4 and 1/2 stars)
Nuisance | Miami | 02/16/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Chino XL is one of the most underrated MCs in the game. His debut album, Here To Save You All is one of the most slept-on albums in 1996. His style is sick and his punchlines are just as hilarious as they are sharp. And let's not even talk about the MC out of Detroit who bit his whole style(Hi, My Name Is...). I never heard his second release but I was able to hear this album and decided to write this review. At first and second listen, Chino's flow is still as potent as it was in 96. Poison Pen begins this album. Chino flows well over a slow and eerie beat. Even If It Kills Me, Messiah and Wordsmith are hip hop gems by themselves. Killah Priest shows up on the dynamite collabo Beastin. Beatnuts show up on the dope Dont Fail Me Now. Proof Of D12(RIP) rips Our Time right along with Chino XL. Skin is pretty deep. It consists of Chino having a conversation with a psychiatrist about his life. Cant Change Me is Chino explaining his problems with his ex. Talk To You is nice and I'm feeling Chino's rhymes over that nice beat. There is one song I'm not too fond of and that's B-Boy Gangsta. Chino's rhymes on the track was tight but the beat is boring and the hook is questionable. Bottom Line: Chino XL's Poison Pen is one of the best hip hop releases of 2005. Chino flows well from track to track, the guest appearances were hot and the production(with one exception) was tight. It's unfortunate that this album will get slept-on like his other albums. Dont sleep on this one, people. Standout Tracks: POISON PEN, EVEN IF IT KILLS ME, MESSIAH, WORDSMITH, BEASTIN, SKIN, OUR TIME, TALK TO YOU, and CANT CHANGE ME."
Poison pen (chino xl)
Iris Dufresne | 07/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"fivestars!!! your favorite gangsta tough guy rappers are b****es to him!"