Search - Flipmode Squad :: The Imperial Album

Amazing Rap Crew (4.5)

Nick Mackler | Canada | 03/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Busta Rhymes, founder of The Flipmode Squad had already released two top selling solo albums ("The Coming" and "When Disaster Strikes...") prior to the release of "The Imperial Album". In all of his solo albums, he has a few songs with collaborations from Flipmode members like Rampage, Rah Digga, Baby Sham, Spliff Star and Lord Have Mercy. On this album, they all come together to produce a full length album, and it is a tight hip hop album. With a gangsta feel on many tracks, this crew are an exceptional group of rappers.



"To My People" is an intense, outstanding opening rap track to follow the intro, with a kicking beat and a fierce chorus. Rampage delivers an awesome verse in this track which is probably my personal favourite off the album. "Settin' It Off" follows with Busta Rhymes bringing his crazy, unique rap style to the first verse of the track. Overall, it's a fairly tight song. "Run For Cover" incorporates a cool orchestral beat into the rap and its a cool song. "I Got Your Back" is one of the best tracks on here for sure, with a sweet chorus, and a tight, groovy beat. "Everybody On The Line Outside" has a hip hop/dance style feel to it, with a solid chorus and good verses. "Last Night" has a very Busta type beat, sounding much like some of his obscure solo stuff off his debut album. Spliff Star has a sweet first verse. This track is certainly off the hook, and one of the many album highlights. "Where You Think You Goin" is another amazing song with a violin instrumental for the beat, and a catchy chorus. "Straight Spittin" is an intense, full on crew collaboration, and is pretty off the hook with some sick lyrics. Rah Digga has an amazing verse in this track, check these rhymes: "Paper like meade, I'm in the mix like speed/and be screamin on the mic till my tonsils bleed". "Money Talks" brings a new hip hop flavour to this album, with a more commercial feel to it. The rest of these Flipmode tracks don't disappoint, "Hit Em Wit Da Heat" is a pretty tight song, and so is "Do For Self".



Overall, this a great purchase for any fan of Busta Rhymes solo music. This crew works very well together, and they got some very tight rap tracks on this full length Imperial album. This is hip hop done right, with tight hooks, good lyrics, and catchy beats. I would highly recommend this to any hip hop fan who likes Busta, and wants a taste of what the Flipmode crew is like. Also, look for Busta's latest release when it drops July 19th, entitled "The Big Bang"."

Hip hop classic minus one wack member.

Nuisance | Miami | 09/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Standout tracks: TO MY PEOPLE, SET IT OFF, RUN FOR COVER, I GOT CHA BACK, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS, EVERYBODY ON THE LINE OUTSIDE, CHA CHA CHA, LAST NIGHT, WHERE YOU THINK YOU GOIN, GOT CHA OPIN part2, STRAIGHT SPITTIN, MONEY TALKS, HIT EM WITH DA HEAT, EVERYTHING etc. Filler: none but they do have a major flaw with this big ugly anchor named Rampage. Everybody brings their A game to this album except him! Very rarely do you hear him bust a decent rhyme. As for the Sauce saying that the track Last Night is filler dont listen to them! Busta and Spliffstar bust their most stellar verses on that song. This is definitely an underrated album!"

Bangin

red ant | in da hood | 12/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's still hittin. Production is tight, and lyrics and besides Buckshot, there weren't any features. It was finally an album that was released where the artist took time to make it.



And of course, in typical Busta Rhymes fashion, someone on the interlude got they @$$ whooped!!! Classic.



Favorite Tracks:

1) Cha, Cha, Cha,

2) Where you think u goin

3) Straight Spittin

4) I got yo back (Sick-ass beat)

5) Run for Cover (Sick-ass Swizz Beat)



It's still tight. Dropped in 98' hittin in 05'.



Cop it, because it's hip hop!!!!!





Peace!!!!!!!!!"