Search - Various Artists, Evan Eder, Gregory Darryl Smith :: State Property

Beanie and Freeway stands out

RapSuperstar | New Jersey | 04/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"State Property ain't just the name on a movie but also the name for Beanie Sigel's group, including Freeway, Oschino, Sparks, Young Chris, Neef and Beanie himself. This soundtrack are a collection of songs with Beanie and his fellas. The only guest here, is Roca-A-Fellas own singer, Rell.



This soundtrack was kind of special. It appears first and foremost as an group-album, even though some of the songs are based on the movie. Besides Beanie and the rest of the gang have the lead roles in the movie, and since it's a gangsta-movie, then of course it's gangsta music for all the money. Some of the songs remind me of some good, old Geto Boys or N.W.A. Beanie even did a cover-version of Geto Boys' "No Guts, No Glory". For the occasion, N.O. Joe was picked up, and he used the exact same beat as the original. Otherwise people like Kanye West and Just Blaze have contributed with beats, as usual, and the soundpicture goes in the same direction as The Blueprint, with nice soulsamples a little here and there. We are also served some bouncy beats, for example "Why Must I", produced by Qu'ran (Da Youngstas) and Black Key.



The standout of course are the single, "Rock The Mic", with Beanie and Freeway. They flow like two maniacs on a beat who reminisces quite a lot like "Beanie (Mack B****), and it's Just Blaze who stands behind the masterpiece. Another favorite are "Sun Don't Shine", produced by RuggedNess, the beats sounds like it was did by Rick Rock, but Mr. Rock are totally different on this on. His contribution, "Do You Want Me", sounds more like RZA. "Hood I Know" includes a cool 80's feelin' to it and "Don't Realize", with Beanie and Rell are also one of the albums highlights. Rell are actually quite good, and it doesn't hurt with a little singing. It's enough of hardcore material for the purist ones.



State Property are an uncompromising record. As I stated earlier it's gangsta rap for all the money, and none of the songs are made for selling. It's supposed to appeal for the gangstas, and of course to others who has sense for quality rap. If you don't like Beanie and Freeway's style you might wanna avoid it. `Cause when it comes to the other four rappers, they tend to get anonymous. Sparks stands out `cause of his special voice and flow, but Oschino and Chris get a little boring in the length (Neef are only on one song). They didn't brought anything new to the table, unlike Beanie and Free, and I would rather prefer some guestverses from Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek, that would have increased the quality.



3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

"

Hip-hop Album of the Year (2002) - A Legitimate Contender

Matthew B. Scott | Alexandria, VA | 09/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Top to bottom the best and most complete hip-hop album I've heard all year. State Property breaks away from the current hip-hop scourge of releasing an album everytime a track hits the charts and then surrounding that one track with sub-standard efforts. While you'll probably recognize the opening track, "Roc The Mic" from MTV and/or BET its far from the only great cut on the album. It is a must have for any complete collection and its thankfully free of all the hip-hop/R&B collaboration most of us have suffered thanks to MCs unable to compile a compelling album on rapping ability alone. These guys are top-notch and without a doubt the best group producing new music out there."