Debut for Michael "Mystikal" Tyler, rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana. The production is entirely made by Precise, guest of the album together with Insane, G-Quikk, J-Dawg and Michelle Tyler, Mystikal's sister.
Intro, then Mystikal leaves and doesn't stop for a long time. The first track boasts a funky boom bap with jazzy samples and essential thumping vibrating drum machine: the boy lets the rhythm breathe, then delivers with his crazy and eccentric style, Precise sounds like an extra. "Murderer" is a five-plus-minute cut consisting of slow pounding drum machine and cheap g-funk synths, Insane host is decent on the chorus, Mystikal dominates with crazy delivery. Track number four has a great funky boom bap with jazzy samples and skeletal drum, with decent g-funk synths, good boy rapping. The following track features the usual funky boom bap with decent sample, poor drum, and cheap synths: it stands out from the others for an rnb hook by Michelle Tyler, Mystikal's sister, who performs the hook in the background along with the rapper.
"Smoke Something" is an honest funky choice with Precise, followed by "That Nigga Ain't Shit!" aka the first solo joint of the New Orleans MC: basic and honest drum, good g-funk synths, quirky delivery by Mystikal. "Mind of Mystikal" is another good solo track, it will be the title track in the reissue of the album released the following year. The last two cuts are reserved for the sister. "Not That Nigga (Remixed)" boasts squeaky g-funk synths, tight drum, great fresh samples and fast delivery: the interesting part is that here Mystikal's voice is lowered in the mix to give more space to Michelle Tyler's voice for the hook, while in the original cut she was overwhelmed by the constant muttering of her brother. The album ends with a tribute to his sister, who was killed in 1994.
The tape is released by the local label Big Boy Records of Precise, and combines fast, hardcore and eclectic rapping, technically competent and lyrically linked to the gangsta, with a production that mixes south and g-funk sounds, with slightly mediocre rhythms. With a more evolved production it would be among the best efforts of the year, but it's still not a bad album. In 1995, the album is re-issue with Jive Records / Zomba with the inclusion of some additional tracks, distributed by BMG: it enters the Billboard 200 and the top 15 among rap records, establishing itself among the best-selling rap albums in two consecutive years.
Rating: 7/10.
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