Cheapskate (You Ain't Gettin' Nada) - Sporty Thievz, Ayers, Roy
Angel
Mac Daddy/Aquaskit
Aquamen
Ready - Sporty Thievz, Gunz, Peter
Propose a Toast
Street Cinema
No Pigeons - Sporty Thievz, Bribbs, K
Let's face it: You're buying this for the bonus track "No Pigeons," the craftily clever reply to TLC's "No Scrubs." On "No Pigeons" the Thievz invert TLC's insult, taking disingenuous women to task. In an odd twist, though... more », the trio prove themselves more than one-hit wonders. Criminally underappreciated on its initial release in 1998, Street Cinema is a highly engaging collection of generally somber tales of the hustler's life. But, rather than glamorize the game and luxuriate in its supposed splendor, the Thievz play the drones. "Hitmen" tells a story of the underworld's least forgiving profession. In "Fedz," the Thievz get caught on a drug rap, while on "Angel," pain and loss supersede glitz. Street Cinema isn't wholly without humor--"Cheapskate" treads on pigeons before TLC ever got into the studio, while the "Freeks" will make you blush from their sexual impropriety. Though the Thievz tell the freaky tales well, it's their underdog demeanor that invests this album with truth, danger, and just a bit of humanity. --Jon Caramanica« less
Let's face it: You're buying this for the bonus track "No Pigeons," the craftily clever reply to TLC's "No Scrubs." On "No Pigeons" the Thievz invert TLC's insult, taking disingenuous women to task. In an odd twist, though, the trio prove themselves more than one-hit wonders. Criminally underappreciated on its initial release in 1998, Street Cinema is a highly engaging collection of generally somber tales of the hustler's life. But, rather than glamorize the game and luxuriate in its supposed splendor, the Thievz play the drones. "Hitmen" tells a story of the underworld's least forgiving profession. In "Fedz," the Thievz get caught on a drug rap, while on "Angel," pain and loss supersede glitz. Street Cinema isn't wholly without humor--"Cheapskate" treads on pigeons before TLC ever got into the studio, while the "Freeks" will make you blush from their sexual impropriety. Though the Thievz tell the freaky tales well, it's their underdog demeanor that invests this album with truth, danger, and just a bit of humanity. --Jon Caramanica
"This cd is what music should be about, creativity and having your own ideas and visions. Too many artists today are either in a click that all sound the same or trying to sound like a DMX, or Jigga or someone from the south. Let's face it 'Street Cinema' is banging. It embodies humor, drama and suspense all the things you go to movies for. Also using the R&B vocal talents of Kibwe (KEE-WAY) on 'Angel', 'Propose A Toast' & 'Pigeonz' is a winner in my book. In a world of wanna be artists Sporty hold their own and should be recognized. Don't sleep on this cd, if the label promoted like it should have it would be 2X platinum now. Whether you want to Bounce to 'Nada' or get deep with 'Propose A Toast' Sporty Theivz got it for ya! ONE."
Stylish stories from the ghetto
Mrs. M. M. Smith | 08/18/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"That title sums them up pretty well. i bought this a few weeks ago and they sent me the clean version which i was initially p*ssed about but then i realized its obvious what all the missing words are. on almost every track they spit a story about crime and it works well. the production is handled mostly by ski, so you know the beats are butter. on one track ski even hooks up a videogame sample. R.I.P. to Marlon Brando of the sporty thievz who gave his life pushing a child out of the way of an oncoming car."
A real review
nRoc | Seattle WA | 04/12/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"These three guys are amazing. Lyrics are astouding and all equaly as good unlike most 3 people groups. *cough* LOX *cough*. These guys got all the traits to make it big. with a better deal with promoton these guys will be big. only some songs drug this down such as angel, very good lyrics, but the hook isnt needed, AT all! i think hooks can go so far before they suck and some hooks were just crap in this. but its worth the Bucks, i think i last heard them on the Rawkus, one love, one life song. they would be unstoppable if they stay w/ rawkus. peace"
Excellent CD....
rooniegyrl | Flatts, Bermuda | 04/09/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In an era of rap where talking about how many girls you had, the many cars and mansions you have and all that other [stuff], it is nice to find some albums that don't go there. Street Cinema is one of them. I first heard of them when I was watching BET and Cheapskate came on...I loved the video and listened out for more of their work...and of course when the reponse to TLC's No Scrubs came out, I was hooked. I liked the entire album, especially the skits, but the track that I love the most is Propose A Toast. It is a track that makes me feel the pain every time I hear it. I don't know if you know this... My advice? Don't sleep on this. It is worth the buy."