11. The Anti-Love Movement feat. Talib Kweli & Total

Times have changed. All those fortunate enough to already be nodding their heads in the early 90s know that life isn't the same anymore. At least not in a hip hop kind of way. Hip hop was way different back then. It was good. Then again that's not fair to say. There's still plenty of good hip hop nowadays, but damn, those early 90s still seem to contain an essence that has been lost ever since. In a way, back then, artists achieved to create something closing in on the perfect blueprint of what hip hop was supposed to be.

And Da Beatminerz were responsible for two outstanding albums of that time zone, one being Black Moon's "Enta Da Stage" in 1993, and the other being Smif-N-Wessun's "Dah Shinin'" in 1995. A lot has happened since then, also with the 'Minerz, and not just that they have added Baby Paul, Rich Black and Chocolate Ty to the brotherly twosome of Evil Dee and Mr. Walt. Naw, the whole hip hop game has changed: suddenly it's all over the charts, things are bling blinging, and synthesizer keys are creating today's hymns. And just like all them hater elitists, Da Beatminerz don't seem to be too content with this, hence they promise us to take it back, back to the boom bap, with their album.

Now, the word on the street was that the 'Minerz will fail horribly. And the assumption was mostly uttered, because of the first two tracks released off it: "Take That" featuring the Flipmode Squad & Vinia Mojica, and "Extreme Situation" feat. the Cocoa Brovaz & Blackhearted Skavangers. As you should have already read here, these two tracks weren't the best of offerings, hence the bad sentiment that was paving the way for this. However, especially "Take That" can easily and comfortably be considered the worst track on here (with a close second being "Hell, Oh Yeah" feat. Billy Flames).

Because you don't have to look far for some really dope treats. Like The Last Emperor is blessing us with "Hustler's Theme", where he does some reminiscing, in such a skillful manner, we can see all the scenarios he vividly paints for us. This though is also very benefiting from one of the best beats on here, that makes it a seemingly easy success. Just as working is the westcoast collabo of Jayo Felony and Ras Kass, who give you "Bentley's & Bitches". While the beat here is a little less impressive, the two cats are ripping everything in sight into shreds anyways, with Ras making every line a punchline, and Jayo not being reduced to play hypeman. We further get the funk on "Best At That", that easily can be a BBQ party track, as Diamond is also spitting some good time rhymes. The beat is blissfully smooth on "How We Ride" featuring Heather B and Freddie Foxx. This tracks is another one of the real bangers on here, with the two emcees sounding good together and the beat taking us the few years back, that we so dearly miss. Giving more female emcees the chance to rep, another ill collabo can be heard, when Apani B. Fly & What What, two of the best, are attacking "Shut Da Fuck Up". The beat features a familiar sample, what doesn't really help the cause, but especially What What is again showing her enormous amount of skills.

Now there's plenty of rock solid material on here too, that it's very head bobbing inducing, while the lyrics might cover known ground. This happens on tracks like the Lord Tariq and Royce Da 5'9" offering "Live & Direct / Brace 4 Impak", or the Buckshot and Lord Have Mercy track "Devastatin'.... That's Us". The first is going even further back than 1990, as an old school sample is quickening things, having the two cats spit in a pace making them sound even more serious as they would have anyways. This goes for the straight up 'don't mess with me rhetoric', a topic that is furthered on the latter track as well.

Shades Of Brooklyn's "Drama" then makes things too street. The beat is also not helping, as it's chaotic, with different elements sometimes trying to do the same, at the same time. And so it is getting confusing and ill structured. While the intentions were very respectful and respect deserving, just the title is giving "Let's Talk About It (T.R.O.Y. Remix)" a sour taste. Now, this by no means can hang with the classic Pete Rock & CL Smooth original, despite the beat being cool. But the singing on here is disastrous, with Krumbsnatcha saving the track though. He showed his talent for doing such thoughtful tracks on "Closer To God", and so accomplishes to pull this topical reminiscing cousin off as well. Further not succeeding too well is Tefelar Cordell's "Ghetto 2 Ghetto", that uses the "Wild Style" beat, and this time it's the one time too often we hear it being used. The street rhymes are also not really making us remember this fondly.

Now not to forget we get an almost mostly R'n'B offering when Caron Wheeler (who everyone should know for her classic singing on "Back To Life") is lending her voice to "Open". Pete Rock remains in the back for the big part, with then adding his thoughts on the game and his love for the game. Somewhat the same formula can be found on the Talib Kweli and Total offering "The Anti-Love Movement", with the beat doing something straight up mid-70s early P-Funk. On the total party tip is Naughty By Nature's very unfortunately titled "Thug Love". The track is classic NBN though, this heading straight for the sing along chorus, with the lyrics showing love, asking for love, and making you wanna give love. Also to mention are the many skits or even snippet tracks that follow the credited songs, that at times are so dope, they should be a full cut.

So in total this album is by far better than all them opinions told you it is. It's biggest flaw is the many tracks that feature a previously heard sample. This is showing a lack of creativity, we wouldn't expect coming from a production collective, that has a classic back catalogue and that set trends. People might also have some trouble with accepting the many tracks that lean in the direction of club friendly, while not being reducingly made for such. Much of the darkness has gone it seems. Still, this has the potential to grow on you, as quite frankly it didn't sound so appealing the first few times it got played at the urbansmarts.com offices.