Showing posts with label mystikal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mystikal. Show all posts

Monday, October 15, 2012

Charge It 2 Da Game (No Limit, 1998) by Silkk the Shocker

This is a basic run of the mill No Limit album.  However, it was released at the height of the label's power and so it is all very entertaining.  The album's best cuts are "I'm a Soldier" and "It Ain't My Fault."  The album's fourth cut, "Just Be Straight With Me," also featured a then-relatively unknown Destiny's Child.  Silkk's rap skills are mediocre, but all the guest features help shield the issue.  Although this album doesn't stand out as one of No Limit's best, it was released at a time when the company was very popular and it therefore reaped those benefits.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Unpredictable (No Limit, 1997) by Mystikal


Other than Snoop Dogg and Mac, Mystikal is the only emcee out of the No Limit camp whose records had technical merit and didn't just move units as a result of the seemingly invincible No Limit movement that Master P ushered in during the late 90s.  The opening cut, 'Born 2 Be a Soldier," gives Mystikal a proper introduction to the No Limit army and then Mystikal drops a solid collection of songs with few guest emcees. Even if one of the album's highlights is "Here We Go" with B-Legit, E-40 and Master P, there is no denying Mystikal's talent on solo cuts such as "Unpredictable" and a song he recorded about his deceased older sister called "Shine."

Saturday, May 19, 2012

No Limit Top Dogg (No Limit, 1999) by Snoop Dogg


Mystikal and Snoop were the only two No Limit soldiers whose albums didn't sound they were recorded factory-line style.  Even Da Game is to be Sold Not Told sounded a little unique (i.e. the "Gangsta Gangsta" cover "DP Gangsta").  However, Top Dogg made up for Da Game and then some.  Not only did Snoop reunite with Dre and bring Xzibit to the mainstream with "Bitch Please", but he also crafted stellar songs with Raphael Saddiq ("Somethin' Bout Yo Bidness") and Sticky Fingaz ("Buck 'Em").  And "Don't Tell", a DJ Quik-produced track featuring Mauseberg, Warren G and Nate Dogg, is so good that the music held my attention even more than the visuals of the XXX-rated hip hop themed film that it was featured in.