MIKE JONES WHO IS MIKE JONES? Swishahouse/Asylum
NIVEA COMPLICATED J Records
Mike Jones and 50 Cent both have a clear understanding of the power of effective branding. From the “GGG-G-Unit” to the “Mike Jones, who? Mike Jones,” they’ve both been able to create a huge buzz for themselves. That in and of itself can be an Achilles heel for an artist, because you’re fearlessly walking the tightrope of over-saturation. I can’t remember how many times over the last year I’ve heard the decree, “My album, “Who Is Mike Jones”, comin soon!!!” Well, it’s finally here.
While some are citing Ciara as the princess of Crunk & B, there are some who consider Nivea as the queen of this sub-genre. While Nivea has steadily been putting in work since 1999, few have been able to really recognize her exceptional writing ability and talent. Hopefully, with her newest effort Complicated, Nivea will be able to open the eyes of the blind public. While the lead single “Okay,” a Lil Jon banger featuring the YoungBloodz, has been tearing up the radio waves for the past few months, I’m not sure that consumers will be ready for the left hook they’ll receive when they listen to this album.
If you weren’t familiar with Mike Jones before the “Still Tippin’” video was all over your screen, it’s a safe bet that you probably can’t stand him for the sheer monotony of his rhymes. If you were familiar with him already, you might be pleasantly surprised that Mike Jones came with some joints. The song that grabbed my attention immediately was the remix of his Mike Jones underground classic “Got It Sewed Up,” produced by Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul & Juicy J. The production value of this disc is superb. It’s the repetitive lyrics that are hard to stomach. I appreciate the promotional value, but you’re gonna have to start saying something else besides your name and your phone number. Anyway, that’s not to say that Mike Jones didn’t try to accomplish the things I mentioned above. He just didn’t do a very good job. I’ll give Mike Jones an A for effort on songs like “Scandalous Hoes,” and “Five Years From Now” is a good concept. I’m happy that Mike Jones has a five-year plan, but even though his introspection sounds sincere, the song is whack. I like Mike Jones when’s he’s being Mike Jones, yelling out his name, phone number, and talking shit. That’s the Mike Jones that made me a fan. But like anything in life, too much of anything is never good. That’s why I can only take Mike Jones in brief intervals. I can’t figure out why I like Mike Jones and don’t like some his music. I think it’s a respect factor. Anyone who’s life’s mantra is “If you don’t grind, you don’t shine, if you don’t work you don’t eat” is cool with me. At least no one will have to ask who Mike Jones is anymore. - Wally Sparks, wally@ozonemag.com 26
OZONE MAY 2005
I expected this album to be a carbon copy of radio playlists, but I’m happy to say that I was wrong. This is that gritty, from-the-gut mid-90’s R&B music that helped me learn how to talk to girls while I was in high school. Think Xscape. I’m not sure if Nivea’s recent blessing of motherhood brought out this newfound emotion, but either way, I’m thankful for it. On the title track “Complicated,” Nivea sings soulfully of a love that’s tough, but still well worth it. It’s a beautiful song. Even though there’s a maturity resonating throughout the album, there’s still some songs designed to get shit crunk. For instance, the song “Parking Lot,” which is a tale of a woman’s infidelity. She sets up a secret rendezvous at a Mickey D’s parking lot to get her swerve on. This one is sure to become a monster hit with the ladies, and maybe some of us cheating-ass dudes too. Other bangers include the second ballad, “Breathe (Let It Go)”, and the R Kelly-produced “Gangsta Girl,” where Nivea sings for all the thug misses out there in the world. This album was pure satisfaction, and an unexpected surprise. Nivea, excellent job, homegirl. Didn’t know you had it in you. - Wally Sparks, wally@ozonemag.com
C-MURDER THE TRUEST SHIT I EVER SAID TRU/Koch On this release, we definitely get a better understanding of C. Miller. We do hear from the CMurder of the late 90s on tracks like “Y’all Heard of Me” and “Camoflauge & Murder,” but I believe the title C has given this project is referring to more real-talk songs like “Hustlas Wife,” “Did You Hold It Down,” and “Won’t Let Me Out.” The latter of these songs is a remix of Akon’s single “Locked Up,” with a few real-life C-Murder verses. The album opens with a montage of new clips, most stating empirical evidence of C’s innocence. “My Life” and “Stressin” are average. His vocals are pretty good throughout the album, considering the conditions of his recording sessions.
MS CHERRY RHYTHM & STREETS Streetwize Records As Ms Cherry instructs, I just let the CD play from beginning to end. The album is slightly above average Southern hip-hop with glimmers of mainstream. “Like Me” could have been shortened to an interlude, though. This song falls apart halfway through. We see a little bit of sarcasm on “Sponsor,” where Ms Cherry refers to all her haters as just that: “sponsors”! Although Ms Cherry claims she’s not a smoker, what would a rap album be without a weed anthem? She gives it to us anyway, although the lame hook kills the song. The track is rather awkward, but it works with her tight wordplay. “Dead Crunk” is a filler track where Jazzebell outdoes Ms Cherry’s vocals, which sound forced.
“Hustlas Wife” is a real thought-provoking track for any hustler or hustler’s wife. He really spits the truth, both the positive and negative. The almost-radio friendly “Did You Hold It Down” goes one step further, discussing the realities of a relationship surviving a baid. C-Murder and B.G. both drop some exceptional lyrics on the lead single “Y’all Heard of Me.”
The lowest point on the album is the horrid singing on “Love Is Real,” but Ms Cherry redeems herself with the ferocious lyrics on the bass-heavy “Deception.” “She Hat’n” is a nice catchy song with quality lyrics. The lead single “It’s Whatever” has the same feel as “Knuck If You Buck” or “Neva Eva.” It’s destined to break into mainstream radio, and can and will be the match to light someone’s short fuse (“Don’t grab that bitch / Don’t hold that hoe / If the trick wanna buck / Let her go, let her go”). “Mind Over Matter” features the unique vocals of Nutt Skywalker.
Several other guests show up to lend a hand to the incarcerated, including memorable contributions from Mac, Currensy, and Slim. Surprisingly, P and Silkk the Shocker are nowhere to be found on this project.
Overall, production is pretty good and lyrics are average, sometimes better. One problem with this project is the sequencing and the silly skits. You can’t ride out to this album from beginning to end without hitting the skip button a few times.
- ADG, adg@tmail.com
- ADG, adg@tmail.com