Search - P-Money :: Magic City

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Tom Allen | New Zealand | 12/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The initial spotlight that shone on Auckland DJ & producer P-Money has faded a little recently, with his friend and successful collaborator Scribe dominating press and sales in New Zealand's hip-hop scene. This is no bad thing though; instead it has allowed this incredibly talented young man to come up with an excellent sophomore long player, which stands as an impressive follow up to his already classic 'Big Things' album. P-Money's standing in both the local and international hip-hop community has gone from strength to strength since his debut, and an international cast of emcee talent combined with New Zealand's finest gives the album a truly global feel. The legendary Skillz displays his lyrical brilliance on "3,2,1", a party cut that will devastate floors worldwide, P-Money conjuring up the sort of beat that will simply make you want to jump around. Senegalese singer/songwriter Akon adds his surreal voice to "Keep On Callin"; a slick R&B cut that shows another side to the P-Money arsenal. Elsewhere-hot Brit rapper Mystro gives "I Had None" a gritty urban edge, while scratch genius Roc Raida joins P-Money on "Represent", both DJ's laying down cuts of the highest quality. Of course the album wouldn't be the same without Scribe, who once again shows his class on the self explanatory "Driven" and lead single "Stop The Music", both tracks confirming just how good Scribe and P-Money can be when working together. 'Magic City' makes an impact - its a record that could have failed miserably but seems more likely to become another classic for its maker - and another example of the incredible rise of New Zealand hip-hop over the last two years. Recommended."