by Randy Roper C-Bo MONEY TO BURN After 13 years in the game, California veteran C-Bo is still dropping solid releases. Although C-Bo is assisted by guest appearances on 13 of 15 album cuts from the likes of the Outlawz, Baby Bash and Sean Paul of the Youngbloodz, C-Bo commands attention and brings his A-game. Whether you’re in the Dirty Dirty, Big Apple or Midwest, this West coast emcee deserves some undivided attention. Diego Redd & DJ Warrior Gettin’ Money, Gettin’ Paid On Gettin’ Money, Gettin’ Paid, Diego Redd proves he’s capable of helping to bring the West coast back. Diego lyrically and conceptually certifies himself as a West Coast newcomer to pay attention to as he drops 23 tracks of pure, unadulterated heat. Even when paired with the likes of Mistah FAB, Serius Jones and GLC, Redd is never overshadowed. Big Rich & THE Demolition Men Block Tested, Hood Approved Big Rich’s name is buzzing out West, and this mixtape shows the reasons why. On Block Tested, Hood Approved, the San Francisco rapper flaunts his hood approval with tracks like “Where I’m From” and “What’s Beef” featuring San Quinn. Without question, Big Rich is a name to remember.
DJ Whoo Kid & DJ E Rock Bay Bidness If hyphy music hasn’t reached its pinnacle it’s getting close, especially with the biggest bootlegger on the planet dropping hyphy mixtapes. For the third time, Whoo Kid goes stupid with San Fran’s DJ E Rock to deliver new and exclusive music from E-40, Turf Talk, Mistah FAB and a host of other Bay Area artists. With Whoo Kid and E Rock setting things up, going dumb and yellow bus riding never sounded better. Willie Joe and DJ Smallz Free Agent Bay Area transplant and current Atlanta resident Willie Joe is still in search of a major label to call home. Here, he attempts to up the ante and give labels a reason to make him a priority. Although Free Agent has high points like “Get ‘Em Got ‘Em” featuring Da Great Yola and the Jovan Dais-laced “Good Ass Music,” the majority of Willie’s mixtape is filled with sub-par remixes and freestyles over instrumentals like Rich Boy’s “Throw Some D’s.” Dow Jones & Mistah FAB Recess Mistah FAB’s video would lead you to believe that ghost riding whips and spitting ignorant bars is the gist of hyphy and FAB’s rhyme style. But on Recess, da Yellow Bus Rydah silences his critics by going hard lyrically over instrumental tracks like “Hustlin’” and “Mr. Me Too.” After hearing Recess listeners will know that Mistah FAB is not only dumb, stupid and retarded, but lyrical too.
OZONE WEST // 25