Messy Marv & Mitchy Slick/Messy Slick/Siccness/Koch Records With their respective movements in full swing, independent kings Messy Marv and Mitchy Slick join forces on the appropriately dubbed Messy Slick – one of the underground’s more anticipated albums. The content follows block inspired tales up and down the Coast as Mess, a product of Filmore and Slick, and Mitchy, a known Blood, are both block tested soldiers. “Rollie On My Arm,” (Styles P and Turf Talk) “On the One” (Yukmouth) and “Cherish A Thug,” featuring Keak Da Sneak, are among a healthy group of features, which do little to diminish the relevancy of the collaboration. However, the Nor/So Cal combination proves a deadly one on its own. The Batkave produced “Click Clack,” the braggadocios “Ok” and the album’s inspiration, “Diego to the Bay” are living proof. – N. Ali Early
Willie Joe/ Bay’d Out/ Sho’Nuff Records/ Wataboy Ent. 3.5 slaps Since joining forces with Sho’nuff Records this past
summer, underground rap legend Willie Joe dropped two more mixtapes – simultaneously. The Northern California tailored Bay’d Out highlights a slept-on rapper poised to assume his rightful place in the game per the title track. “Hey Playa,” featuring Lloyd, Jody Breeze and Jazze Pha, is an official introduction via Sho’nuff’s renowned super producer and “Game Check,” is riddled with intermittent game induced lectures courtesy of Earl (from N. Oakland). In between, the self-proclaimed Wyatt Earp boy spits: “I’m not bein’ biased, but it’s the shit if I write it /…I get on CDs and nigga get the streets excited / N.W.A. shit, it don’t matter nigga, just don’t bite it.” – N. Ali Early
40 Glocc/ That New Nigga/ Dub CNN
Whether he refers to his newness as a result of a recent alliance with G-Unit, or because he’s one of So Cal’s rising emcees, 40 Glocc announces his arrival in grand fashion on That New Nigga. Hosted by Felli Fel and DJ Nik Bean, TNN is chock full of tracks (33) as well as features – 50 Cent, Prodigy, Bishop Lamont, Ras Kas and Jayo Felony among them. With genuine ties to the Colton City Crips and now the Unit, Glocc wastes no time getting personal with Curtis’ known nemesis The Game on “1 Blood” and “N.W.A.” (Game and Dipset diss). Go figure. – N. Ali Early
Innerstate Ike Applesauce 2 A Boss, Bananas 2 A Gorilla Elite Ent. Naming one rapper out of Colorado is harder than naming all original members of the Wu Tang Clan. But Innerstate Ike’s independent release Applesauce 2 A Boss, Bananas 2 A Gorilla gives reason to remember his name and Colorado’s contributions to Hip Hop. On this album Ike is the beneficiary of near perfect production from Mass Prod, Man-Man and Macho, who handle most of the album’s production. Ike is nowhere near the nicest emcee but this album deserves plenty of burn. - Randy Roper G. Malone & DJ Nik Bean Streets of L.A. 3 Newsflash: LA rapper and Cash Money/Hoo-Bangin’ signee G. Malone can rhyme. If there are any questions about that statement, Streets of L.A. 3 will erase all doubts. Malone proves his worth by trading verses with West Coast heavyweights like The Game (“They Sayin”) and Daz (“Blaze It Up”) along with Left Coast newcomers like Balance and Big Rich (“Crack Music”). Malone also debuts new music from his forthcoming album Beach Cruiser with “Certified” featuring Akon and the Mannie Fresh produced “Fuc Wit Me.” Whether it’s brand new music or exclusive freestyles, Malone makes a statement on Streets of L.A. 3. — Randy Roper Spider Loc West Kept Secret: The Prequel Even though Spider Loc is signed to Curtis’ Unit, the Compton emcee is still patiently waiting to put the West on his back and leave his mark on the game. On his latest mixtape, from “Blutiful World” to “I Like” The Prequel is rider music listeners can drop the top on the ’64 to or kick back, spark one and zone out to. Only “Big Blacc Boots” with Ice Cube can be categorized as true hardcore gangsta music. The rest of the mixtape consists of soul samples and jazz-influenced production that give Loc the chance to shine lyrically. If The Prequel is any indication of what’s to coming on Spider’s West Kept Secret debut, the West has a problem on its hands. - Randy Roper
OZONE WEST // 17