Search - Do Or Die :: Headz Or Tailz (Chop)

Very nice sophomore effort

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 04/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Do or Die's 1998 sophomore effort "Headz or Tailz" is the album that vaulted the trio from a unique underground group to, in my opinion, perhaps Chicago's premier rap act. While it is fairly similar in substance to their debut Picture This, this just shows improvement across the board, both lyrically and musically. The rappers Nard, Belo Zero, and AK-47 are much more interesting this time around, peppering their dark hood tales with personality and substance, while still maintaining a flaunty style. I like how they also make some soft, slow cuts on "Headz or Tailz," they are one of a few groups that can really pull off a convincing hip hop slow jam. Often times R&B singers such as Johnny P and 2Pac's favorite crooner Danny Ray collaborate on such tracks. There's a nice distribution of the dark, hard, quick-rhymed songs and the deeper slow songs. The production is again handled by the Legendary Traxter and others, lacing the tracks with some woozy g-funk and music fitting of Do or Die's unique sound. I feel like the trio also attempted to stop comparisons with fellow midwest rappers Bone Thugs-N-Harmony on this album, further establishing their own unique identity. Don't let this awful cover fool you--"Headz or Tailz" is a great album!



After a very nice intro, the album begins with the really good song "Just Ballin." This song has a dark, woozy sound to it and a good hook, and all three MCs kick nice verses. "Pimpology" is well produced as well, another solid cut. "Lil Sum Sum" is one of the most memorable songs, dark and menacing sounding. "Nobody's Home" is among my favorite songs on this album, one of the softer sounding ones. I like it because while it does speak to the ladies, Do or Die maintains a very pimped-out persona through it. The slow beat is excellent and Danny Ray and Johnny P both deliver a great hook. "Still Po Pimpin'," the sequel to the classic single off their debut, is decent but fails to catch the perfection and polish of "Po Pimp" despite the reunion of Johnny P and Twista on the track. I do not like "All in the Club," a generic and fluffy club song. My favorite song is defintely "Can I," a deep and inspiring slow jam featuring crooners Beyond Content. This is followed by the okay "Choppin Up That Paper" and average "Gangsta S..t." "Bustin' Back" is a diss track towards Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, with some tough production. "Ultimate Shutdown" showcases a rough, triple-tongue delivery from the rappers. "Who Am I" is a decent Scarface collaboration, in my opinion it doesn't fulfill the potential of such a high profile collabo. The upbeat and catchy "Caine House" is a highlight. "Under Surveillance" and "Dead or Alive" are both solid, especially the latter, rounding out the album with the Bushwick Bill-aided outro.



While it's not quite the classic album I feel Do or Die is capable of creating, "Headz or Tailz" is a fulfilling and enjoyable album, showcasing a great rap group in their prime. I highly recommend that fans of Rap-A-Lot and the midwest rap scene check it out, I feel that this album and Do or Die as a whole have been overlooked for a long time."