In 1991, Grand Puba left Brand Nubian probably due to creative differences, and began his solo career debuting with a studio album the following year. Production of the record is mainly done by Grand Puba himself, with some rhythm also provided by Stimulated Dummies, Kid Capri, Latief, DJ Shabazz, and The Brand New Heavies.
The choice of the beat often falls on a light and skeletal, lo-fi jazzy boom bap, with a lean, slow and syncopated drum machine and samples that are just above the average. Grand Puba abandons the political and pro-black arguments that characterized the debut with the Brand Nubian, and focuses on simpler themes, such as girls, parties and braggadocio, spitting out easy and carefree rhymes with a not too energetic delivery style, smooth but slow and syncopated, effortless and almost lazy.
When he takes advantage of the guest features, he gets the most notable results in this record ("Check It Out", "Back It Up", "Who Makes the Loot?"), even Kid Capri shouting something randomly in the background allows his cut to stand out. The album, overall, is a little underwhelming and bloated, coming close to the hour of listening time despite fifteen tunes, offering the shoulder to some commercial filler to boost sales in its second half ("Proper Education" half-reggae; "Baby What's Your Name?" is a sort of long rnb / new jack interlude in which the rapper repeats the title line in a loop; follows the remix of the first single), but I still recommend it to fans of Brand Nubian.
The album received a reassuring commercial response and was praised by critics, who rightly considered it to be among the best rap releases of the season.
Highlights: "Check It Out". Simple rhythm, jazzy boom bap, regular honest drum, MC's smooth slow syncopated delivery, Mary J Blige's simple hook, which also offers some soul-rnb chorus in the background. "Who Makes the Loot?". The track is already included in the Brand New Heavies album released a few months earlier, fresh jazzy boom bap, good tight drum machine, easygoing, slow, smooth syncopated delivery.
Rating: 7/10.
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