Search - Shyheim :: Aka the Rugged Child

Stunned

A. Pierre | Somewheres | 02/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ive heard Shyheim on a few tracks by various Wu Tang members, and his voice was so cool. I decided to buy this cd after hearing that his second cd his voice changed (due to puberty duh), but this cd is amazing. This rapper is in his teens and speaks of street life and doesnt sugar coat it like Bow Wow or Romeo would. I respect him for that. This is a great cd! Id recommand this cd if you enjoy rap."

The HARDEST!!!

Jimmy Garcia | SLC, UT | 08/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even though he was very young, he sounds harder & flows nicer than most cats today! Shyheim blesses the MIC from beginning to end. I never get tired of listening to this!!!"

Early Wu Tang Slang {4.5 Stars}

Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 09/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to imagine someone so young coming on the scene with such a great album, but at the ripe old age of 14 Shyheim came on the '94 scene and did just that. You can hear the early Wu Tang influences in his flow and his rhymes (personally, I think he sounds like a young Deck). I don't think there's any question that "On & On" is the standout track on the album (and it should be, it's a classic), but there were solid joints all throughout the album. Tracks like "Here I Am", "One's 4 Da Money", and many others have that signature early 90's flavor without biting the popular sounds of the times. Even the interludes like "Headpiece" (which features Wu Tang members) and "Shouts On The Outs" come off lovely. The production is handled mostly by RNS and Prince Rakeem (The RZA) with Lord Finesse throwing in a track, so you know the beats are going to be top notch and the rhymes are too.



As far as flaws, there are one or two joints on the album that don't really hold up well after 12 years and those are "Move It Over Here" and "Napsack." The rest of the album flows with no problem at all. If I could change anything about this album it would be the length -- I'd make it longer. The album clocks in at just under 49 minutes and 15 tracks (3 of which are interludes).



The Rugged Child is definitely a dope album. Shyheim may have been young at the time, but he had a grown man's flow and a knowledge of things beyond his years, so this album is on the level of most releases from the early 90's -- whether it be grown man or fellow kid rappers. I recommend adding this underrated banger to the collection.



Standout Tracks: Little Rascals, One's 4 Da Money, Party's Goin' On, On & On (My Favorite), The Rugged Onez, and Here I Am"