Up until a few days ago I had no idea that this compilation album even existed, but thanks to my homie LiNT`d PoCKeTZ he put me on to it. So BiG~uPs definitely has to go out to him! Sadly tho the info` that I can share with y`all about it is pretty limited. Aside from the fact that it`s some Columbus, Ohio Hip Hop & most of the tracks on here are produced by Tmix (a.k.a. Timmy Lawson). That`s all I really know, so please excuse my ignorance! From what I can tell this was either a group or perhaps just a compilation that Big Hustler put together to showcase the Black Cartel Records roster. Either way tho it`s not a bad listen at all...
The "Intro" is your typical skip~able ish, just gotta be honest. The opening track "Player Hater" is handled by Big Hustler & Tek 9 with production by Tmix. It`s decent, with that lil` circus~like sample in there but for some reason the track goes on for over 7 minutes. It may have been better absorbed by the listener had it been placed further on down the tracklisting, maybe like as the compilation/album`s closing song, but that is simply my opinion. "Stressed Out" is the second track on this joint, produced by Tmix & it features Kiesha C, Tek 9, Big Hustler & Tina. It definitely has potential for radio~play. I could actually see this being one of the singles, not sure if they released any for this project tho. "Pray" could very well have served as the B-Side for the previously mentioned single "idea". It`s also produced by Tmix & features Kiesha C, Tek & Big Hustler. "Heavy In The Game" is definitely vibin` off Coolio`s "Gangsta`s Paradise" since Big Hustler pretty much used the same sample when he produced this joint, but honestly I feel that he did it some justice. I`m definitely DiGG `n this tune even tho I`m hella late on it! The Tmix produced "Settrip" with its "Hail Mary" 2Pac sample on the hook will have some of you reciting it no doubt...
You can`t deny that Tek 9`s 'Commercial' "Premeditating" is straight out of Master P`s hustle-book. I mean not only is he doing an impression of him (my opinion of course), but it`s a promo snippet for a 'future album'. I`m not hatin` at all, just kickin` my opinion besides it was probably more of Big Hustler`s idea to do it up like that seein` as how it`s his show. Honestly tho, the joint`s not bad at all. Kiesha C definitely shines on one of the album`s strongest tracks "Fire" produced by Tmix which also features Big Hustler & Tek 9. That hook will possibly get stuck in ya` head, watch out now! "Blow They Mind" is another solid joint produced by Tmix once again featuring Tek 9 & Big Hustler. Kieha C owns the Big Hustler featured "Ballen"! You definitely can`t deny the West Coast influence on "Representing" with Big Hustler & Kiesha C, they`re Mid-West`N it y`all! Kiesha C most definitely steals the show on "Shake It Up" featuring Big Hustler & Tek 9, another single worthy joint, my opinion of course. Tmix provides a solid backdrop for Big Hustler & Tek 9 to flow over on the synth`D out "On A Mission". "Street Supremacy" most definitely has an synth`D all the way out sound while Tek 9 & Big Hustler hold it on down lyrically. So overall I feel that this compilation has probably for the most part been over~look`D by most folks, but y`all really need to fix that & peep this...
With all that mentioned if anyone out there knows what these folks are doin` nowadays please let me know! I`m definitely interested in hearing about what happened to Kiesha C, Big Hustler & Tek 9. I`ve never heard of any of them outside of this compilation. So if there`s any Columbus, Ohio kats out there that can possibly school me, please do so...
1. Intro {ft. Shock}
2. Player Hater {ft. Big Hustler & Tek 9}
3. Stressed Out {ft. Kiesha C, Tek 9, Big Hustler & Tina}
4. Pray {ft. Kiesha C, Tek 9 & Big Hustler}
5. Heavy In The Game {ft. Big Hustler, Tek 9 & Fletch}
6. Settrip {ft. Tek 9, Big Hustler & Shock}
7. Commercial (Premeditating) {ft. Shock & Tek 9}
8. Fire {ft. Kiesha C,Tek 9 & Big Hustler}
9. Blow They Mind {ft. Tek 9 & Big Hustler}
10. Ballen {ft. Kiesha C & Big Hustler}
11. Representing {ft. Big Hustler & Kiesha C}
12. Shake It Up {ft. Big Hustler, Tek 9 & Kiesha C}
13. On A Mission {Big Hustler & Tek 9}
14. Street Supremacy {Tek 9 & Big Hustler}
15. Outro {ft. Shock & Big Hustler}
N`JoY....
