Various Artists "Loud Rocks" (2000)

 

Here's one for my youth! Loud Rocks is a Hip Hop & Metal crossover record I'm somewhat flabbergasted to have not discovered years back. Release around the peak of aggression in the millennium music scene, dictated largely by MTV, it features popular Nu Metal bands and Rap artists collaborating in varying shades of success and failure. I'd actually heard a few of these from the Napster mp3 trading days, for example Wu-Tang Clan linking up with System Of A Down and Tom Morello to perform their songs in a metallic context. How I'd not learned of the record is beyond me.

The brief 90s Rap and Nu Metal collision was a strange affair yet the holly grail of my youth... If done right, a rare occurrence. I think the crown might belong to Cypress Hill with the second, metallic, half of Skull & Bones. Most other crossovers are novel and occasionally decent but Loud Rocks mostly seems conceived to serve a niche through remixing Rap tracks, often giving the stems to an artist to re-arrange and work in metallic elements. I think Wu-Tang are the only exception, however the remix of one of their finest tracks, For Heaven's Sake, is handed over to Black Sabbath for a strange mix of two sounds that clash awkwardly with sudden eruptions of dense distortion guitars and Ozzy singing that simply cannot resolve to the mood of its rap verses.

Xzibit seems to have the most success. Something about his tone and cadence mixes well with guitars. His songs too have a meaner demeanor allowing the original samples to blend. Far from fantastic yet hearing Sevendust and Endo scream out his chorus hooks had a little gratification. Hardcore legends Sick Of It All bring an interesting touch to the Mobb Deep sound, however its sense of rhythm often looses the lyrical cadence. Everlast reworking Shook Ones Part II might be the albums one solid track, however it plays more like a moodier incarnation than anything metallic.

With the Rap Metal era being so disliked, this record will sound like trash to most. My observations on its various chemistries were simply a vent on my curiosities. I wanted this long forgotten musical movement to work out so bad, however the reality is very little of it did. Discovering another piece of the picture will always be a delight for me, even if the fruits of collaboration were far and few between. In the case of Loud Rocks, it mostly feels forced to serve an audience. A fun listen but I'll move on swiftly.

Rating: 4/10

M.O.P "Warriorz" (2000)

Browsing through my archive, looking for something to work out to, I stumbled across this record which I had not listened to in years. M.O.P. are a Hip Hop duo consisting of Billy Danze (left) and Lil Fame (right) from Brownsville New York. In 2000 the group peaked commercially with this, their fourth record, Warriorz. Hit songs "Cold As Ice" & "Anti-Up" saw unexpected mainstream success at a time when Eminem & Dr.Dre's popularity was undoubtedly influencing mainstream's exposure to Hip Hop music, and opening the doors for other artists. Although its not a classic, this record was a favorite in my youth at a time when I was discovering the worlds of Hip Hop and Heavy Metal. "Anti-Up" was especially successful, so much so it charted in the UK outside the usual alternative charts which it topped. Ill never forget hearing two old radio presenters on BBC radio one loving the track and getting into it, rapping along with the song live on the air.

The duo have a dynamic relationship, complimenting one another at every turn. M.O.P. deliver a lot of energy through their raps and fiery vocal delivery. In their stronger, energetic moments the two back up each others rhymes and chime in to echo one another in an interlinking manor. Its not uncommon to hear rappers support other rhymes, but the two do it in a hyped and intense character that is their own. Both Danze and Fame have big, loud delivery and slightly gruff tones to their voices, their frenetic, shouty flows are attention grabbing and make for a fiery delivery of their lyrics. The content is surprisingly tame in retrospect. Lyrically they write solid raps, but the violence isn't quite what I remember, lots of stories of street life and coming up from it, but next to no misogynistic lyrics which has become so commonly associated with Rap music. On the track "Face Off" Danze delivers the a verse that stuck in my mind all these years, a track of two distinct half's that goes from struggle to swagger, "I'm a mess with stress, though I present it with finesse, sometimes I feel as if my heart is coming out my chest". A dramatic expression which Fame's verse in the second half goes in another direction. Across the record the two deliver many gripping stories and thoughts to dive into.

The beats that back the duos energetic presences are solid, audacious, polished works finely constructed with drum machines, electronic instruments and unimposing sampling that reflects the 90s-00s era. With production from DJ Premier its not surprising the quality is high. The beats have that composure and air about them, similar to Dr.Dre's "2001", that give lots of room for the drums to deliver tightly composed kick and snare grooves, accompanied by clear, melodic keys and instruments that drive home catchy melodies and kicks. The albums first half is strong, tight beats, a range of themes and a tribute to the oldskool, but the second half does tire a little as the album spans seventy minutes. Despite a range of creative beats the formula stretches on to a couple of good tracks near the end. Terrific record from my youth that still sounds great in its best moments.

Favorite Tracks: Everyday, Ante Up, Face Off, Warriorz, Old Timerz, On The Front Line, Cold As Ice, Operation Lockdown, Foundation.

Rating: 7/10