Get To Know H.E.R.

The newest effort from the GZA comes three years after his DJ Muggs collabo, Grandmasters, and worries me to death. Why you ask? Well, even though the GZA released a motherfucking undeniable classic with his sophomore album Liquid Swords (yes, sophomore…don’t forget that gawd awful Words From The Genius album), his subsequent efforts have been just meh. Well, Grandmasters was pretty good actually, but it was an entire album with no Wu production on it whatsoever. And as if the GZA’s track record isn’t enough to have me worried, there’s the issue of that 50 Cent diss track he released a month ago that’s on this album. The track itself was alright, even if it could’ve been better, but the real problem is that now he has to back that track up some actual quality shit. Or else he’ll look washed up and old and be the next target of stupid ass Soulja Boy youtube clips. I don’t want to see that shit happen in my lifetime.

Before I start the actual review though, I have to say. That front artwork is gangsta as fuck! Alright that’s all.

The Good:

1. Intromental - As it’s name says it’s just an intro in the form of an instrumental, but I like it. Maybe it’s because there’s no actual words on it besides the occasional “GZA,” but it stays true to what it is and manages to seam to the next track.

2. Pencil (ft Masta Killa and RZA) - This is a pretty great track. All three emcees do their shit right on it and oddly, the beat sounds pretty nice when rhymes are being spit over it, even though it sounds close to ass when it’s playing just by itself. I guess that’s just a compliment to the rapping done on this. On a side note, Masta Killa is all over the Wu lately, I’m really growing to like this guy.

4. Groundbreaking (ft Justice) - The track’s alright, even though I think the second verse is pretty damn annoying. There’s an attempted Madlib/Quasimoto style rhyming going on and it just didn’t do it for me.

5. 7 Pounds - The first couple of seconds of the song made me think that they sampled the same song Lupe did for Daydreams and I started to get worried (not a huge fan of beatjacking in any form). But then the actual Black Milk production hits and it sounds nice.

6. 0% Finance - The menacing guitar driven beat fits GZA’s flow perfectly on this. Even if the beat gets repetetive as hell after a while, it’s a great track.

7. Short Race

10. Columbian Ties - I’m not sure it was the greatest idea to sequence the words “what goes around comes around” right after a diss track, but whatever. The track itself is pretty dope so all is forgiven.

12. Path Of Destruction

13. Cinema (ft Justice) - Everything about this track from the ominous beat, to the GZA’s subdued flow, to the whispered hook is downright creepy (which is what they were going for I’m sure). This track is gonna be the shit that plays in my nightmares.

15. Life Is A Movie (ft RZA, and Khan-Acito) - The second RZA produced track on this album is clearly the better of the two. It makes for a nice strong ending.

The Solid:

3. Alphabets

8. Interlude

9. Paper Plate - I can honestly say that while this track does its job, it’s pretty disappointing. The beat is a sick, creepy beat, but it’s ill suited for a diss track in my humble opinion, and the GZA’s flow sounds weak as hell on it even though his lyrics are for the most part on point. Could’ve been a LOT better.

11. Firehouse (ft Ka) - This Ka guy sucks. It took me a good 20 seconds into his verse before I realized he was actually rapping and not just talking out an intro of some sort. GZA manages to save this track from being horrible though.

14. Intermission

The Bad:

Well, all in all, I must say, I am surprised in the best way possible. It’s been a while since I’ve thought to myself, “damn that new GZA joint is sick,” and it’s a damn welcome feeling. Even though I am disappointed at the lack of Mos Def on this album (he was rumored to be on this), I can’t lie, I like this a lot. It’s a great album and I hope ya’ll don’t sleep on the GZA.

On a side note, I’m gonna be on a week long trip, so during that time, there will be no updates. See you guys when I get back to finish the Tribe discog and to review Vordul Mega and Ice Cube’s new albums.

Alright, I promised you guys an album review, and here it is. This album actually doesn’t come out until this Tuesday, but since there are four new albums including this one coming out, I wanted to avoid the feeling of being rushed. The album in question is RZA’s fourth solo LP, and his third under the Bobby Digital alias. For those who don’t know, the RZA is the legendary producer of the Wu Tang Clan, whose rapping abilities are, let’s face it, not nearly as legendary. RZA’s solo ventures are usually hit or miss for me, and I’m especially wary of his Bobby Digital name. RZA as RZA tends to rap about a bunch of 5 percent philosophy and all in all weird but enlightening science. RZA as Bobby Digital however, seemingly raps about whatever the hell he has in his mind that day, and sometimes the results are straight crap. Still, RZA seems optimistic about this album, so hopefully, he’s made a post 2000 Wu Tang classic with this one. Hopefully.

1. Digi Snacks Intro - It’s been a while since I’ve listened to the man, and I’ve forgotten how much his voice gets in the way of my interpreting what he’s saying. Freaking speech impediment. This is decent as far as intro tracks go though.

2. Long Time Coming (ft Danny Keys) - Maybe my standards for the Wu Tang has gone down over the years, but this track is not bad at all. So far so good Mr. Bobby Steels

3. U Can’t Stop Me Now (ft Inspectah Deck) - Fans of MF Doom will automatically recognize the beat as coming from the same sample as the song Anti Matter with Mr Fantastik. They’ll also realize that the MF song is far superior to this one. Disappointing, especially considering it’s the only track on the whole damn album that actually features one of the core Wu members.

4. Straight Up The Block (ft David Banner) - Remember two entries ago I mentioned that I heard a gawd awful RZA track on hiphopdx? Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this is that track. Even the Jay-Z voice sample doesn’t save this one. I’m starting to lose hope.

5. Booby Trap - After a shaky beginning where he sounds like he’s rhyming off beat, the track picks up. Not excellent, but after the last track, I’ll take anything. Although, the hook does involves the phrase, “would you rather have a digi or a scooby snack.” What the fuck RZA?

6. Try YaYaYa (ft Monk and Thea Van Seijin) - I’ll be honest here. I didn’t listen to the lyrics at all throughout this track. I was way too occupied with the annoying ass beat.

7. Good Night Kiss (ft Rev William Burk, Crisis, Thea Van Seijin) - RZA is the freaking de facto leader of the whole Wu Tang Clan. I refuse to believe that he could only get the Wu B-Team weed carriers to contribute to this album. I mean, the album doesn’t have Ghost and Raek. After 8 Diagrams, understandable. But to not even have your own cousin GZA on a track?????

8. No Regrets - I feel close to tears at this point. Seriously, this might be the worst thing I’ve ever heard from the almighty Abbot.

9. Money Don’t Own Me (ft Monk and Stone Mecca) - Man, the Black Knights are all over this album. No opinion on this one.

10. Creep (ft Black Knights, Northstar, Thea Van Seijin, Dexter Wiggles) - The hook is creepy as hell (no pun intended. I just couldn’t think of a better word). Decent, considering it features a who’s who of Wu Tang b-teamers.

11. Drama (ft Monk and Tha Van Seijin) - A reworking of an old as hell GZA track from even before he was known as the GZA. Considering that the GZA himself has probably forgotten the original, it’s actually pretty good, and I’ve wiped my tears for now. Still, you’re gonna do a GZA dedication track and not even feature him on a single track.

12. Up Again (Beretta 9, Rev William Burk, George Clinton, El Da Barge) - The production on this is very nice and the track comes out to be one of the best of this album.

13. Put Your Guns Down (ft Star) - I know I’ve heard this beat before. But for some reason or another I can’t place my finger on it. Damn. By the way, my obsession with figuring out this beat is the only reason I listened to the track all the way true. It’s really nothing special.

14. My Lovin Is Digi Pt 2 (ft Beretta 9, Crisis, Thea Van Seijin) - Boring. But thank God, it’s pretty short. Crisis comes off damn nice on this track though.

15. O Day - Has the tiniest bit of that old Wu Tang sound I miss so much, so I’m gonna give this a thumb up. Just one. Anyone else think that he sounds little bit like Rodan of MIC on this track?

16. Don’t Be Afraid - The bonus track, which means, finally, we’re done. And what do you know? This track is straight banging. This is what the whole album should’ve sounded like. Damn.

Final Score: 6.0/5.5 (I can’t make up my mind)

Man, it really kills me to give the RZA a lower score than Weezy, but the album was just unbearable for the most part. Honestly, even giving it a 6.0 might just be out of respect for the man. Which I do. I have and will always have the utmost respect for the RZA and will always hold him in high regard as one of the best producers ever. But this is not an example of that fine work. Most of the beats are nothing special, and the guest features are way too numerous. Not to mention that besides being numerous, the guests here for the most part suck. I’ve been calling them Wu Tang b-teamers the whole time, but that’s an overstatement. They’re more C-team and actually I would prefer the Wu Tang b-team over these guys any day if that means Killah Priest, LA the Darkman, and the likes will be on it. Sigh, at least we still have Vast Aire and Immortal Technique to look forward to. And Three 6 I guess, but I’ve never been much of a fan so whatever.