producers: agallah, alchemist, lil dap, jiv pos, others.

20. Life Ain't Shit

Being affiliated with the Gang Starr Foundation and being offered a record deal, can be the beginning of a successful career. At least in theory you would think so. Because after being dropped off your label, losing DJ Premier as your main producer, all you are left to do with, is picking up the pieces and hoping that this might only be the last clouds before the complete sunshine will drop it’s rays on you again.

After releasing the album "Living Proof" in the shadow of the much hailed "Supa Star" single, Lil Dap and Melachi The Nutcracker laid in the cut for some years, waiting for something to happen with them, something to follow up their critically acclaimed and on the streets well received album. But nothing did. Premo and Guru, busy from all their "Moment Of Truth" and "Full Clip" success, weren’t there to kick start their career again.

Regrouping with 12"es and now with the album, they don’t want to be handed the opportunity to shine, but they are more than motivated to take it for themselves. Out on Replay, and Guru at least handling executive producer duties, dropping by and contributing lyrics on two tracks, Premo blessing the album with a beat on "The Legacy", this is to a certain extend a Lil Dap feat. Melanchi, not to take anything away from the latter. But they show that they still matter, with a surprisingly dope album.

"Da Real GH" is only one track that will have you nod in appreciation. This is also one of three dope tracks produced by Charlie Maratta. Followed by a cut that was already available on a 12", "Stupid Muthafuckas (30 Minutes Of War)" has The Alchemist give a paranoid background for the expressed angst in the emcees lyrics. With the album being spiritually titled "A Tear For The Ghetto", this is actually a mixture between an extended "Dial-A-Thug" and a street report at "12 O’ Clock". Those tracks were also previously released, and the latter kicks in hard with cinematic sound effects (rain, children playing) and a scary string section. Definitely one of the most careful produced pieces on here. And while this is not about universal mathematics, not something a backpacker can break down and analyze the patterns, you can see the world with the eyes of the guys at the street corner. This is ‘in the struggle’ reporting.

With many of the tracks being produced by Lil’ Dap himself and also cats like A.Aguilar (aka 8-Off), along with Rad, Buggy Eye and Jiv Pos putting down beats, you are surprisingly not urging for more Premo beats, but you are quite happy with what you get. Just listen to tracks like "Life Ain’t Shit" (another Charlie Maratta banger) or the atmospheric "Keep Rising" and all the previously mentioned tracks, ignore weak tracks like "We Can Do This" or the "Atomic Dog" sampling "Be Like That" and you know this album is actually better than most of you thought it will be. This could be the surprise of the year.