Tragedy Khadafi - The Death of Tragedy
Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 06/28/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Tragedy Khadafi's (A.K.A. Percy Chapman) latest album is "The Death of Tragedy" (2007) a short seventeen track release which features production from Havoc, Scram Jones, Betrayal, GQ Beats, Now & Laterz, Crack Val, Alchemist & 4th Disciple. The veteran Queensbridge MC provides an album for the streets, often reppin his record label 25 To Life Records. On the album's brief opener "G-Formation", Khadafi reps himself, and talks about the life he has led. Tragedy Khadafi follows it up with the blazing hot "The Truest", delivering some memorable verses backed by some distinct production from Scram Jones. Tragedy then puts his heart out on the introspective "I Am The Streets" recalling his past, this is a gripping track which ends to soon. "Murder by Numbers" is a grimy street story, while "Crime Legacy" is a short interlude. Tragedy rhymes over some familiar production from Scram Jones on "Sole Death Brothers", then talks about the feds and racism on the brief "Militant Mind State". Tragedy's brother Christ Castro drops in for a thugged out track in "Ryder Music", while repping himself on "Emaculate G's". Tragedy Khadafi reps himself painting some real life pictures on "Intimate Vision", which is followed up by one of the album's most creative track's in "Dejavu". Tragedy tells the story of a gun and it's travels, backed by some laidback production from Now & Laterz. Tragedy talks about hardships and betrayl he has faced on another standout in "If You Don't Know". Tragedy reps "25 To Life" on the album's longest track (which is not very long at all). Tragedy delivers some quotables on "Elbouhio of Death", then rhymes over Alchemist's sole contribution to this release "Milk Murder" (Tribute). A 12 second skit leads up the album's closer the solid "Mind State" feat. Killa Sha. I think this release is a step up from some of his mixtape material which has come out in recent years, at the same time I feel the same as the other reviewer, this album could have used more material. Overall "The Death of Tragedy" is a decent release, which should keep Khadafi's fan's satisfied for some time."
Good Album Much Too Short
Manuel Lopez | Brooklyn NY | 08/29/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The death of tragedy. Hmmmm how can I describe this album. It's like G-unit before they signed with Em and with better lyrics. The album is definitely enjoyable but it is definitely too short. Just when your getting into a particular track it seems to end. It just leaves you wanting more. Worth owning though. Pick it up, support the underground."
Trag, I want more!
ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 06/24/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Tragedy Khadafi's fifth album "The Death of Tragedy" comes a full four years since his last effort (his last three releases, Thug Matrix, Blood Ballads, and Thug Matrix 2 were all mixes/compilations). "The Death of Tragedy" really picks up right where Against All Odds and Still Reportin' left off. I've always found Tragedy Khadafi to be a very engaging MC, because he pours so much passion and emotion into his deep verses. From his days as Intelligent Hoodlum in the Juice Crew to his latter day Queensbridge narratives, he is dramatic and compelling at his best. Trag doesn't really bring much new to the table compared to his last efforts, but hearing more great music from him is certainly refreshing. His stories and narratives have lost none of their luster. The production is also familiar, a distinctly Queensbridge musical sound similar to the style Cormega, Capone-N-Noreaga, and Mobb Deep favor.
The only problem I really have with this album is the lack of material. While there are seventeen tracks, ten of them clock in at two minutes or less. It's an interesting format, and most of these songs are just one verse and out. They can make for quick, to the point, and effective songs, but with so many of them and only six or seven actual full-length songs, I was left gasping for more.
Following a short Havoc-produced intro, "G-Formation," with one dope verse, the album starts with "The Truest." I am really liking Scram Jones's production on this song, the guitars and pounding bass make for a great backdrop over which Tragedy drops some great verses. He raps about his love for rap and contributions to the game despite adversity. "I Am the Streets" is deep and passionate, and I like the production, but at just over a minute, I wish it was much longer. "Murder By Numbers" is a two-minute collabo, fine but a little forgettable. "Crime Legacy" is excellent...for its full 44 seconds. "Sole Dead Brothers" jacks the beat from the Run-DMC classic "Beats to the Rhyme." This song contains one of his finest performances, Tragedy's frenetic getaway tale is gripping. "Militant Mind State" barely clocks in at one minute, with one verse, and precedes "Ryder Musik." I like the tasteful production on this song, it's a solid cut. "Emaculate G's" is an okay collabo, and "Intimate Vision" is another sub-one-minute track with an awesome beat from GQ Beats. Trag's verse here is among the nicest on the album. "Dejavu" is one of the strongest points on the album. On rare ocassions in the past, Trag has shown himself quite capable of putting down a great love song, and this is one of those times. The breezy production is great and his lyrics are personal. The angry "If You Don't Know" is another short track, then comes "25 to Life." This song has a cool electronic styled beat, it's a good posse cut featuring his 25 crew. Haters are shut down on another one-verse track, "Elbouhio of Death," and on "Milk Murder (Tribute)," the Alchemist lends a boring beat for a decent track that's not very memorable. The disc closes on a good note, the Killa Sha collabo "Mind State."
"The Death of Tragedy" doesn't break any new ground for the Foul Mahdi, but it's another solid album of his signature product. I went to four retailers this week, none of which carried this album, until I finally settled with buying it on iTunes. There's no promo behind it, and it really dropped without a whisper, but his small yet dedicated legion of fans are sure to enjoy it just the same."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
