Rating:
Genre:
Rap
Release Date: 07/16/2002
The previous
D&D Project was uneven and, at times, hard to take, but the second volume in the series tries hard to correct that problem. There are few standout tracks; instead, the album works more as a whole because of the slow-bouncing beats and steady-flowing rhymes. MCs like
Jack Venom,
Craig G, and
Don Parmazhane have distinct and memorable styles, giving the record a feeling of continuity that was sorely lacking the first time around.
"Juicy Loosey" is an awesome showcase that displays several of the fresh young artists found on
D&D Records, while the all-star jam
"2 Hits & Pass" is a lengthy freestyle that holds together due to the many different ways the various MCs approach the simplistic beat. There are a few tracks that don't fit in, especially
Krumbsnatcha's dub-heavy
"What's Life" and
Agallah's gangster anthem
"The Usual Suspects." But these songs don't fit because their vibe is so different from the rest of the disc, on their own they are pretty solid underground anthems. While many underground compilations rely heavily on guest appearances,
The D&D Project, Vol. 2 is at its strongest when their own artists are allowed to let loose. It isn't perfect, but for a taste of one of the best underground labels in 2002, this is one of the best of the year.
~Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide
;)
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