"After hos solid self-titled debut album and the huge success of Westside Connection's "Bow Down" , it was the perfect timing for Mack 10 to release his second album. "Based on a True Story" continues what Bow Down had started - GREAT beats with nothing but West Coast gangsta rap on it. Although Mack 10 lacks Ice Cube and WC's carisma or lyrical abilities, he's still a talented rapper, with a unique voice and high street cred. "Based on a true story" is much beter than his debut, with much much better production and rapping. On this album, Mack 10 sounds the best he's ever sounded - nowdays his rapping is a bit to laid back, lacking emotion - but on this one, Mack One O raps with energy, sounding real hard on quite a few. Lyrically it's all about the streets on this one, drug dealing, killing, hustlin'. No sex songs, no cars songs, just gangsta sh** to the fullest. The production is very impressive. Ant Banks did 4 songs (some of the best are his), Young Tre, Soopafly, Bob Cat, Mack 10 and Ice Cube did the rest. It's West Coast rap at it's highest form and I feel it's a great follow-up to "Bow Down". Guest rappers are AllFrumThaI, Comrads, Ice Cube (on 2 songs and all over the album as well), Snoop Dogg (you can hardly hear his voice on that song, he almost whispers his verse)...I only wish WC was on it too, but it's all good... There's no attempt to go mainstream on this album: It was recorded when West Coast rap was at it's peak, in terms of quality and popularity, so rappers could go on and do their thing without fearing the album won't sell. You won't skip a track on this one, I give you my word, Mack 10's second album is his best solo release ever. Nothing he did after that can match "Based on a true story"."
A little more laid back on this album.
Christopher Ware | Fremont, CA United States | 05/31/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"With this album, Mack 10 starts to mature as a rapper. His lyrics are less "in your face" most of the time and a little more introspective. The last track on the album, BASED ON A TRUE STORY, is most reflective of this. BACKYARD BOOGIE is a bumpin' party track, INGLEWOOD SWANGIN' is a salute to his hometown, and THE GUPPIES is a mafia type gangsta tale.The production on this album is very good...tight beats and slick interpolation. Mack's lyrics have matured and have acquired a unique flow. Overall, this is a very well rounded album. A definite gem in the rap game."
Mack-10-A Westcoast Classic
Newborn | Nashville,TN | 02/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this album is mack 10 at his best.thys album is a banger from start 2 finish and tha outro song based on a true story seals tha greatness of thys album and takes it 2 classic westcoast status.PERFECTION AT ITS PEAK"
Before Mack 10 lost steam
Nuisance | Miami | 03/02/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Msck 10's first album was a classic. Mack 10 is still on point on this release and he still showed no signs of slippin lyrically on this album. Chicken Hawk II is a good start off song. It's Mack 10 doing what he does best. Mack 10, Mack 10 feat AllFrumTha i and The Comrads samples UTFO's Roxanne, Roxxane and is one of the better cuts on the album. E-40 joins Mack 10 on Cant Stop. Ice Cube shows up on The Guppies as well as Only In California which also features Snoop Dogg. Dopeman is Mack 10 rendition of the NWA classic of the same title. The title track is the best song on here because it's Mack 10 doing an introspective track. The only song I cant get into is Backyard Boogie. Bottom Line: Based On A True Story is Mack 10's best work to date. Mack 10 still delivers over those funky west coast beats and the guest appearances were a nice touch. It's sad that he hasnt been the same after this album. Standout Tracks: MACK 10 MACK 10, CANT STOP, TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT, THE GUPPIES, INGLEWOOD SWANGIN, DOPEMAN and BASED ON A TRUE STORY."