Bishop Lamont and Black Milk/Caltroit/Cali Untouchable Radio With the recent Golden State/Motor City brouhaha, the timing on this DJ Warrior mixtape would seem to make for an emotionally charged album. And it does. Dr. Dre understudy Bishop Lamont and Detroit mainstay Black Milk lead a balanced attack over original beats, while everyone from Dr. Dre (“On Top Now”) to Busta Rhymes (“Mouth Music”), Lady of Rage (“Ret 2 Go”), Glasses Malone (“Juggernats”), Ras Kass & Tash (“I Need It”) contribute. Lyrically charged from the beginning to the end, the surplus of emcees, new and old, makes for sporadic listening, nearly void of the rapper/producer combo (Lamont and Milk). – N. Ali Early Guce/Tell Me When Ta Stop, Cause I’m Still Going…/Git Paid Music Group The second installment of Tell Me When Ta Stop… (…Cause I Already Go…), finds the Bullys Wit Fullys impresario back in tow with Messy Marv, who hosts the street album. The bouncy “Git It Started” and Nitti-produced “Get Ya Hustle Up” (featuring Lil Wayne) do just that, making way for nineteen solid tracks. Bouncy as they may be, Mess and Guce stay with the theme, reminding throughout that they are NOT hyphy. “Caint Fuck Wit Us,” “I Don’t Give a Fuck” (featuring Young Buck) and “My Life” (featuring Lil Flip, Killa Kliese, Munip and C. Dot) confirm as much. – N. Ali Early Messy Marv/Draped Up and Chipped Out 2/Scalen/SMC/Fontana As active as he’s been it’s hard to believe that a whole two years have passed since Messy Marv’s last full length solo album (Bandanas, Tattoos and Tongue Rings). Even more incredulous, is how this compilation came together as Mess served time behind bars. Dubbed as an appetizer for his next project, Draped Up… is more like a meal. Collabs with Mac Dre (“My Life is a Movie”), New Orleans’ Juvenile and Skip (“Lil Daddy”) and Mike Jones (“Body Rock”) confirm Mess’ dexterity is still intact while cameos by BLegit, V White & The Politician and PSD the Drivah round out a solid effort in support of the “Millionaire Gangsta.” – N. Ali Early
Hot Rod, DJ Woggie, & Big Mike/The Hitman
Hot Rod’s debut album has found a comfortable spot on the G-Unit shelf, but the Arizona MC makes his presence felt on The Hitman mixtape. The 50 Cent-assisted “The Lights,” “Weather Man” featuring Willie The Kid and “Bitches They Love Me” show Rod’s versatility to release both street and club records. Although Rod proves his worth on “Superman” with G-Unit incumbents Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, “Don’t Like Me” and “Getcha Money Up” are strikingly too similar in style to the G-Unit boss, leaving one to wonder why we need Hot Rod when we already have 50? Still, this 22-track project is a solid effort. — Randy Roper Goldtoes/The Gold Rush
The debut album from Thizz Latin CEO Goldtoes starts off strong with the hit “Blow It,” followed by the ghetto glorying “Still In Da Hood,” and a lyrically ferocious Mistah FAB on “The Show Must Go On.” But weak flows and ineffective hooks from Goldtoes and company on “On My Level,” “I Go” and “That’s His Name,” start to take its toll on The Gold Rush. And while there are a few more standouts like “Paypa Chasa,” “City Boyz” and “I Want It All,” Goldtoes’ attempt to go for self, even with a long list of guest appearances, doesn’t quite pan out. — Randy Roper M Dash/Keep Smoke Alive/Platinum Bound
A pupil of the late great Mac Dre, M Dash does the slain rapper proud on Keep Smoke Alive, his sophomore solo album. Game related efforts such as “Cock Blockers” and “It Goes Down,” both featuring Prohoezak, go over well with pimp inspired tracks like “All I Want” (featuring Tilt and Marsh Nut) and the self explanatory “Pimp Musik” (featuring Lee Majors and KMX). Bound with a bevy of features that includes The Game, Mistah FAB, Husalah and Jacka, the Vallejo native accomplishes the daunting task of balance on an album that does its part to reclaim the glory days of Mob music. – N. Ali Early
OZONE WEST // 25