Otherized F.A.M — First Amendment

Otherized FAM (or Othorized FAM) is a hip-hop group from Staten Island, New York, consisting of Kareem "Crunch Lo" Reed, A. "Lounge Lo" Cornelius, Molly-Q and S. "Shawn Wigs" Simons. The group officially debuted on the hip-hop circuit in 2001, releasing their first studio album. At the time of the release there were no production credits, which were then inserted for the reissue via Chambermusik which took place in 2007: 140 Productions, affiliated team to the group, produces seven tracks, Shortre of 140 Productions provides three beats, Just I of 140 Productions produces the rhythm of "Dime Piece (Lady Green)", Mizza, whose rhythms in the following years ended up in the albums of Cappadonna, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, has four productions, Charles Walker boasts two beats, Fess and Wigs aka Shawn Wigs make a rhythm each.

The guests are Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna of the Wu-Tang Clan, Polite and Superb of the American Cream Team, King Just, Leathafase and Profes aka Fes Taylor of the Shaolin Soldiers, Cheesy Rat of 140 Productions, the affiliate of the group Otherized FAM Lighter Shade, Tah Murda, the only rapper not affiliated with Wu on this album, and Ellie, a singer whose presence is fundamental in several songs.

The production is competent and honest, there are several solid East Coast rhythms with dirty and dusty drum machines, often midtempo, pleasant jazz samples and a generally dark mood. The four guys rapping is fresh and punctual, neat, smooth, dirty and raw, youthful, the four emcees deliver hardcore bars at their best, they're in better shape than ever. An incredibly cohesive, robust and tight product emerges, with a good linear quality, which for some reason remains hidden within the deep Chambermusik catalog: created by a Staten Island group, with a Staten Island production and guests coming mainly from Staten Island, this is one of the best Killa Beez tapes.

Highlights: "Love Stories", "Streets Is Like (Clash of the Titans)", "Dime Piece (Lady Green)", "Othorized the Pillage". The obvious banger is "Love Stories", with Ghostface Killah & Ellie: the girl beautifully sings the hook on a crackling hi-hat and an elegant piano scale accompanied by a solitary violin and poked by a obsessive bass line, Tony Starks enters and details the scene of a wedding so vivid that at any moment you expect Bill to come in and do the massacre, Tarantino style, but strangely it doesn't happen. C-Wiggs aka Shawn Wigs, later brought to the Ghostface Theodore Unit group, closes the song with the second verse. This track is a pearl, the best cut in Otherized FAM's career and is rightfully included by Ghostface in his "Hidden Darts" compilation some years later.

Rating: 7.5/10.