In 2005 Buddha Monk doesn't stop and showcases his talents in this collection of tracks from friends between Brooklyn Zu and Da Manchuz. The production is entrusted to the rapper himself for most of the tracks and the album is distributed by Chambermusik and Duck-Lo. Behind the mic are Buddha Monk, Kendra, Da Manchuz (Lee-Major aka Delta, Drunken Dragon, G-Note$, Babyface Fensta, Chilli Black), Brooklyn Zu (12 O'Clock, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Shorty Shit Stain), CCF Division (ShaCronz, Free Murda, Terra Tory), Tai Chi Mastas (Vex, Mozart & Optimiss), Dungeon Masta of Brooklyn Zu Fam / United Kingdom, 5 Foot Hyper Sniper of Zu Ninjaz, Naki, Black Venom, Shyheim and I-Born.
From a strictly theoretical point of view, this is a selection of the best that these guys have recorded since the end of the 90s up to the time of release, and there's little to say. Buddha Monk's rhythms are fine, they fail in the difficult task of exalting elementary lyricism and monotonous rapping, but that was probably too much to ask. The lyrics are precisely those of guys who are at different degrees of separation from Wu, low-grade thug rap and battles born for fun. The tape has its moments, especially early on with Kendra ignites "Warriors" and delivers back n forth alongside Buddha Monk on "New Improved". Also deserves to be mentioned Babyface Fensta who opens the second verse of his solo track ("Hang 'Em High") in a hard way, he spit out some bars that could easily have been written by Kanye West or stolen straight from his secret book of rhymes. A few tracks attempt to make their mark ("Red Rum", "Prepare for the Buddha Monk", "Make This Money, Take This Money"), before a finale monopolized by some pretty mild songs performed by CCF Division, of which I'm probably not the biggest fan. The comp has the great advantage of not having tracks that are unlistenable or too bad, yet it still doesn't represent the top you can hear from most of these artists.
No comments:
Post a Comment