Man I have to say that my boy fails to disappoint with the music that he's given me to review. This time around I managed to get my grimey paws on a sick album by the one and only Big Shug. He's like a combination of Guru and Twin Gambino. I wouldn't be surprised if he was confused with the two MCs I mentioned.

Other side of the game is more of the hip-hop we need. I enjoy MCs that flip sick production credits from veterans like Lee Bannon, and DJ Premier just to name a few. I immediately popped this in and let it 123 Bang like this first track, which is dope by the way. A Track that talks about these fake wannabe rappers and their fans.

"Better" is a track produced by Lee Bannon which is wrapped around a sick soul sample. 9th Wonder would've been proud yo. This is a banger that sounds good even on computer speakers which is how I listen to the majority of my album reviews. Shug speaks about how he wishes that things around him ranging from his deal to the world would just get, yep you got it, better.

I love the track "Bring it Back". I share the same sentiments that Shug expresses when he spits over a flute infused track courtesy of ya boy Moss. Driving drums so sick with it, as soon as I put it on, my head just started bopping against my will. That's when you know a track is hot, you know what I'm saying?

Tracks like "Keep Calling Me" are sick fillers that keep the skip heads in check then it goes right into "Like a Muhf**ka" which is like my favorite phrase to use like a Muhfucka. He holds it down for the Beantown on this joint and who else but the Honorable DJ Premier to run the boards?

"Lonely Heart" is certified dopeness that had me with that soul sample that flutters in between my earphones like a butterfly. He speaks to the guys he used to run with back in the day, pretty much with the whole "keep your head up vibe"

Tracks like "Militant Soldiers II" are the reason why I listen to hip-hop in the first place. I wouldn't be surprised if BCC (Boot Camp Clik) was featured on this joint was the vibe I caught initially. With the hook courtesy of Busta Rhymes and B.I.G. not to mention unsung MCs like Singapore Kane and Blaq Poet. With production by Moss and sick turtablism to boot this is something that's been missing in hip-hop.

Other Highlights like "My Boston" and "The Real Meaning of Hardcore" deserve true honorable mention on an album that is complete with soulful, edgy, raw hip-hop vibes. I'm glad that an MC like Shug is able to have the ability to put a city such as Boston "on the map" if that's what you want to call it.

"Protection" is a banger in the literal sense because you have a real MC that speaks about gun claps and all but in the unconventional way. Unlike the bulls#!t that you hear on the radio another Lee Bannon classic totally worth the listen.

This album was bananas, no doubt. I enjoyed it from front to back. I wish that Shug and DJ Premier worked together even more but the producers that lined up to put in work did their thing either way. I'm glad that Shug was able to come up, start cooking and serve something this dope.


Please Listen to "When I Strike" OH MY GOD!!

S3kshun8

SonicAmp Rating: 9/10