Search - Lord Tariq, Peter Gunz :: Make It Reign

Is it any surprise these guys were one-hit wonders?

Anthony Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 01/30/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz released "Déjà vu (Uptown Baby)" back in 1998, folks ate it up; claiming it was the best rhymes anyone's heard in a while. That was just the scheme needed for people to buy their album (although few people actually did). I was one of those people, and when I listened to it, I thought it was pretty decent for a debut album. But then I listened to it again and...well, it's just boring.The only other standout track on this album is "We Will Ball". Now, if you have an album with 19 tracks, and the only memorable ones are the singles, then there's a serious problem. There are a lot of sluggish tracks like the obligatory (back then) end-of-album do-gangstas-go-to-heaven song "My Time To Go", and "Startin' Somethin" (featuring Chauncey Black of BLACKstreet), which is a lazy remake of Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".Then the guest stars can't save some of these other tracks, like Fat Joe and Big Punisher on "Cross Bronx Expressway", or Kurupt and Sticky Fingaz on "Massive Heat" (not that I was expecting anything from either one of them). There are also a few songs that feature vocals from 1 Accord. If you're unlucky enough to own the Booty Call soundtrack, you'll know who I'm talking about, but for everyone else, they're good singers with weak material.This album isn't really wack. It's just weak. Most of the songs really don't grab your attention. And because of this, Tariq and Gunz are probably forgotten memories in the hip-hop world."

Actually not a bad album, duo shows potential.

Mister Hip-Hop | The Land Where Hip-Hop And Jazz Live. | 08/16/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Though many previous fans have bashed this album, it actually is a fairly solid disc. Probably the best thing about Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz is their obvious contrast in styles. Tariq is the darker half, the blue-collar East Coast gangsta emcee. Peter Gunz is the lighter half, the smoother, more commercial-sounding multi-racial cat. The two fit together very well. Both have done small appearances with big names; Tariq had worked with The Notorious B.I.G., Nas and Jay-Z. Gunz has worked with DJ Quik and Shaq. So already, they have gotten in with the right people and gotten their names out there. A deal with Columbia Records also helps them a lot with their promotion. These two were really introduced to the world on their bouncy Bronx-tribute "Deja Vu". The song sampled Steely Dan's "Black Cow", stealing the bass part. Originally, they had not given credit to Steely Dan for that beat which resulted in legal confrontation. Make It Reign didn't actually get released until about four months later. Although Tariq and Gunz sound good together and also do make some very good tracks (a few with very great depth), they also often fall into the traps of excessive bragging about ice, cars and women. Also, some of the production on the album gets shallow after a while. However, the production is not always bad, mostly supplied by DJ Clark Kent and Dave Atkinson. They also have a nice guest list consisting of Kurupt, Sticky Fingaz, Cam 'Ron, Big Punisher, Fat Joe and Blackstreet. The main problems all arise from commerciality.The opener of the album is a title track basically introducing both emcees again. Gunz and Tariq shine but the "Night Rider" sampled beat is practically unlistenable and neither of them say anything interesting enough to make the listener completely unaware of the wack beat. Then comes the album's second single, "We Will Ball", which is an all right sequel to "Deja Vu" although it's not quite as good. However, Tariq and Gunz display good team-work which makes the track a decent listen. Gunz shines lyrically here: "I'm too hot to handle, too cold to freeze, write the illest sh*t and don't smoke no trees". Kurupt and Sticky Fingaz feature on the hard "Massive Heat", which is just a rough track. The hook by Sticky is nice, and Kurupt makes his typical tight contribution. Tariq and Gunz hold their own on this track though, proving they don't need to rely on the guests. The main problem with the track is that the beat, a Marvin Gaye sample, gets annoying if you pay too much attention to it (it consists of one chord repeated very quickly). "One Life To Live" is a fast-forward track, it just doesn't appeal. The song is presented through a narrow, materialistic view and the beat sounds like a reject from a DMX album. One of the worst songs in the set. "Fiesta" features Tariq solo, and though some may not enjoy it, it's actually a good song with a slight spanish-tinge and West Coast feel. The song is kind of kicked back and about enjoying yourself and works well. "Startin' Somethin'" is a complete jacking of Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" although this version features Blackstreet. Although the Puffy-like over-sampling is lame, the track actually has its moments and comes out sounding nice. "A Night In The Bronx With Lord And Gunz" is a sex track, which features 1 Accord. The beat is cool and laid-back and the track is nicely put together. They also use some clever lyrics and who would've thought of using plexi-glass and taffy for sex similes? "Who Am I" is another controversial track because it takes on two touchy subjects: crack and HIV. Lyrically they paint the picture well and speak their minds. The aforementioned "Deja Vu" is of course a nice song, near-classic show-casing the skills of both emcees. "Keep On" is a great inspirational song with a jazz/funk back-drop where Tariq and Gunz give positive shouts to family and friends. "Worldwide" is more of a show-case of Peter Gunz and he spits nicely over a piano-laced party track. He is in typical form here. "Streets To The Stage" features Cam 'Ron (before he got big) and is actually nothing special. The guitar-beat isn't so great either and lyrically only Tariq really shines. "Cross Bronx Expressway" features Big Pun (R.I.P.) and Fat Joe for a great trumpet-laced song which really lets everyone just get down. All four emcees shine brightly and the track is just well put together as each emcee gets introduced. One of the album's better tracks. However, following that is a "Precepitation" interlude which features Gunz imitating Bone-Thugs. This mini-track basically falls flat. But "My Time To Go" is definitely the highlight of the album. Both Gunz and Tariq show their love and belief in God. This is an example of a great track these two can create. Gunz discusses his childhood being thankful for things he never had and Tariq talks about how he was made fun of for believing in God in his younger days. Just a classic song. "Be My Lady" is a bonus track about a woman they used to have and features Jermaine Dupri on the beat and hook with Jagged Edge singing a bit. The track is slow and laid-back, nothing really bad or good about it. It's a decent way to end the album.This debut clearly went all over the place. There are classic tracks, wack tracks, all right tracks and everything in between. It's unclear of what exactly happened to these two but they are still in the game definitely. I disagree with this album being totally wack because it just isn't. There are a lot of tracks that deserve credit here. However, in trying to appeal to two different rap audiences, Tariq and Gunz had a few out-takes that got away. But this is a respectable effort, and not a bad album."

Worth Having

Enlightened | Atlanta Georgia | 07/21/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This cd isnt completely wack nor extremely tight. It is just average. The best songs being We will Ball, Massive Heat, Deja Vu( best song), Cross Bronx Expressway. Another song That is overlooked is A Night In The Bronx with Lord & Gunz. It could do without the sex skit at the beginning but the song is Sensational with a SUPERIOR CHORUS. " Do you wanna [...], meeeeeeee!". That may be the illest song on the cd even though it lasts all of 2 and half minutes. Dont make this first priority though."