Kam — Made in America

Second studio album by Kam, rapper from Willowbrook, California. The production is provided by Big Jessie, DJ Battlecat, EA-Ski & CMT, DJ Quik, Cold 187um, Mad Scientists & Rashad, The Glove and Warren G. Guests are MC Ren, Dresta, D-Dope, K-Mac and Solo.

Behind the keyboards, there are some of the most talented guys of the period on the West Coast, however, from the music it doesn't seem like it: the final result is lower than the production provided by the dozen less-known who had made the beats for Kam's debut, and there the rhythms were the weak point of the tape.

Here, no producer really seems inspired enough to come up with a decent beat: EA-Ski & CMT and Warren G come close in the second half, with "Who Ridin'" and "Keep tha Peace" respectively, but Kam's rap isn't punchy enough to take the rhythms to the next level. The rest of the set is average, funky loud and bland, tasteless: in "Down Fa Mine" there are MC Ren and Dresta as guests, and the beatmaker Big Jessie achieves the worst beat of the record, placing cheap synths, an unlivable drum and annoying sounds.

Released by EastWest and Elektra, the album was positively received by competent critics and achieved a satisfying commercial result, finishing in the top 20 of the rap chart. At the expense of a good socio-political lyricism, with some thug touches, the tape is forgettable, not recommended.

Rating: 6/10.