Search - Various Artists :: The Unusual Suspects

The Unusual Suspects

DJ RESIDENT | 12/08/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I like this album. My favorite song is #2, by Ike Dirty."

ALBUM OF THE YEAR!

DJ RESIDENT | NEW YORK | 12/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are certain ingredients that comprise hip-hop music. Over the years as the culture has broadened and now spans the many facets of our society, one thing remains steadfast: the relationship with the streets. In an industry plagued with misconception, this album is a more than welcome refresher.



The major discrepancy between the majors and the independents has always been the sound, both quality and mood. A casual listen to this album will dispel that notion quickly. Solid production from Cue, DJ Nu, Tiran, Wood, M. Natt, and Paris gives this album a shelf life exceeding the usual expectations for an independent release. The solid lyrical content is wealthy and dynamic for the thinking listener yet casual enough to illicit head nods from the street veterans. There is no question that violence and crime are a part of American culture and a huge influence in hip-hop culture. These emcees relate those experiences well, without the glamorization that has become a staple in mainstream hip-hop.



In far too many collaborative efforts there is always the one individual that steals the shine. This is not the case with these emcees: Ike Dirty with an older more developed microphone presence and detailed composition, edgy enough to pull attention without being intrusive; Jinx Da Juvy with a younger more vigorous, from-the-heart style matched perfectly to the tracks on which he appears, and Slash with laid back delivery and simplistic yet detailed content that only sweetens when he gains intensity over the track. While content, delivery and overall presence are strongholds in the underground, talented emcees are a rare commodity in today's commercial market. Teflon Muzik is thriving in the spirit of the independents from the mid-90's, and the cohesion that these artists have and the sound this album displays should make Teflon a concern for the majors who seem to be too content with their assembly line hip-hop.



These days just about anyone with a computer can "have" a record company. An unfortunate side-effect from this is that the market has become saturated with material that, to say the least, is lack-luster in not only sound but appearance. Granted talent is out there in the independent community that has generated some fine packages with the high dollar appeal the majors present. Yet in recent times, as with the sound, the album presentation is becoming more homogenized. Once again the creative inspiration of Teflon Muzik has stepped up the expectations for album and point of purchase materials. The album art, which features a gold mask comprised of a portion of each of the artists face, meshes nicely in that light. Well organized with an apparent theme, yet witty enough to evoke some curiosity, this cover does what a cover is supposed to do, make you want to listen to the music. The appearance is professional, clear enough for the average listener, witty for those thinkers who like to indulge in those twists of the artistic mind.



Without question Teflon Muzik is well on their way with this project. This reviewer is by far one of the most finicky when it comes to his hip-hop selections, having been unsatisfied with the majors over the past 6 to 7 years. If the majors begin to take notes on what Teflon is doing, I just may very well go back to buying major releases.



"

AN AWESOME RAP ALBUM!

02/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"the unusual suspects consists of jinx da juvy, ike dirty, and slash. in case you don't know who they are jinx has the highest voice (since he's the youngest only 18 years old!) ike has the lowest voice and slash is in the middle. these rappers have very good rhyming ability. so good that you would think that nas gave them the lyrics himself! just like nas, 2 pac, biggie, eminem, or big L you can just fall into a trance listening to the outstanding lyrics. now here's a rundown of the tracks:

1."Not Me" by ike, slash, and jinx *****

2."Conspiracy theory" by ike *****

3."Juvy mack" by jinx *****

4."Put in work" by slash feat. prophet *****

5."Nothing gonna change me" by ike, slash, and jinx ****

6."Hold me" by slash feat. kimmy ****

7."Smack ya Head off" by ike, slash, and jinx *****

8."A.B.G. Gangstas" by jinx feat. greezy and 20 grand ***

9."Need it now" by slash *****

10."I'm A G" by ike ****

11."Living in da hood" by jinx *****

12."Let's roll" by ike *****

13."New York City" by jinx ***** (best song on the album)

14."Abused" by ike ****

You don't even have to skip any songs. so go buy this true rap album and none of that other rap garbage that's polluting the game! Peace I'm out!"