Artist: Method Man and Redman
Album: Blackout! 2
Release Date: 5.19.09

It’s been 10 years since the dynamic duo of hip-hop put out an album together. In the meantime, they’ve hosted a sitcom, starred in movies, and worked on considerably successful solo projects. But even a decade-long break couldn’t destroy the chemistry created when two of hip hop’s untouchable MC’s hit the mic together. In their time off, dozens of new artists have emerged, snagging elements of the Red & Meth flavor to concoct their own identities but none are as adept on the mic as Johnny Blaze and Funk Doctor Spock. Blackout! 2 is the album no hip-hop fan should be without. So blaze up, sit down, and let’s get to it!

Blackout! 2 takes a more mellow tone than the previous Blackout album, but it still covers a good range with something for any Red & Meth fan: party bangers, smoker’s anthems, and the usual witty rhymes over thumping beat masterpieces – perfect for the ride. A-Yo brings a smooth start as the lead single, adding Saukrates to the hook to set the song off in just the right way. True to their herbal roots, the fellas both spit some heat on Dis is 4 All My Smokers and Wu-Tang affiliates Raekwon and Ghostface lend their firepower on Four Minutes To Lockdown. The party gets started on Errbody Scream featuring wild-child Keith Murray. One of the hardest hitting street bangers on the album, City Lights matches UGK member Bun B with Doc and Meth, adding some Houston heat to the mix. The second official single, Mrs. International, reunites Redman with Def Squad companion Erick Sermon, who goes on to produce a few other tracks on the album. Rockwilder is also on deck, contributing the album’s final cut, A Lil Bit, closing the album with the punchlines and party vibe that have made Red and Meth icons in hip-hop.

By and large this project is very true to the Method Man and Redman fans, as evidenced by the content. There’s something here that any fan of the duo (or hip-hop for that matter) can enjoy. Even after 10 years, the childhood friends still have what it takes to put out a great album without selling out to the gimmicks and nonsense that plague today’s music. I’m proud to proclaim, hip-hop’s dynamic duo has (finally) done it again!

Sound-Savvy officially rates Blackout! 2 with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones.

Related Posts:
Method Man and Redman – Ayo (feat. Saukrates)
Method Man and Redman – City Lights (feat. Bun B.)

The homie Wale put it down for the DMV area last night with his first national TV performance. Together with go-go band UCB, Wale took the stage and brought the crowds in LA to a roaring chant with the performance of his debut single Chillin. The band totally completes this performance, and I must say whoever’s on guitar is rockin this song!! Wale brings it all together for a killer performance. A note to all hip-hop artists out there: here’s proof that a great live band is ALWAYS better than a track!

It’s a supreme understatement to say Ruben Studdard hasn’t fared quite as well as some of his fellow American Idol winners. With meager reception, he has released his 4th album, the smooth contemporary R&B project Love Is. Here’s my thing about Ruben: he’s a great singer but his artistry leaves much to be desired. If Simon Cowell were reviewing this album, he’d say it’s “a bit karaoke” or “a bit lounge singerish”. There’s an overall lack of energy in this album, as if Ruben doesn’t connect with the music in a way that moves him. Thus, I wasn’t moved…

Out of the album’s 12 tracks, 4 are covers, including an above average rendition of Michael Jackson’s I Can’t Help It. Studdard also takes on old school hits like More Than Words (Extreme), The Long And Winding Road (The Beatles) and For The Good Times, made popular in the genre by Al Green. Don’t Make ‘Em Like You No More caught my attention with its more modern pop appeal, and the album closes with the power ballad Footprints In The Sand.

Even with the previously mentioned noteworthy songs, the overall selection is rather boring. This is the album our parents and older generations would probably enjoy more for its smoothness and simplicity, but it fails to fizzle for me and there’s nothing memorable on this album. The issue here is the lack of energy, and for that reason I wouldn’t consider it soul music, more like glossy R&B. So if you’re looking for soft, smooth background music, this album has what you need, but nothing more…

Related Posts:
Video: Ruben Studdard – Together

Shouts to the lovely ladies doin it big over at MyMoodIsMusic, which is where I first saw this video. I hope they don’t kill me for what I’m about to say… First, I love Chrisette Michele, she’s an amazing vocalist but I don’t feel like she did the song justice. For me, the best rendition of Don’t Speak would have to go to Ms. Leela James (listen below), from her debut album A Change Is Gonna Come. She laid the song completely out. Still, I’ve got MUCH love for Chrisette Michele and hers was a good cover.

Click here to hear the full song

Wow… I don’t really know what else to say, but Fabolous is doing it BIG for his new album! This is another hot track and fly video! Jeremih on the hook makes It’s My Time some more heat Fab is droppin for the summer. The beat gives the track a militant yet triumphant type feel and I’m really diggin it. What I’ve heard so far, Loso’s Way is shaping up to be a hell of an album. I wouldn’t get caught sleepin’ on Fabolous this summer…

You can hate if you want on the kid Fabolous, but he knows how to deliver a hit! Go ahead and put this on your summertime mixes, it’s definitely a banger. FAB gets extra flashy in this super-fly video for Throw It In The Bag, off his forthcoming 5th studio album entitled Loso’s Way set for release on June 30. He and The Dream make an excellent combo for this track, I’m stamping this one for the summertime heat!

This is actually one of my favorite songs from the fellas’ latest album, Forever In A Day. I knew a video was on it’s way, but I must say this is rather disappointing. Can we say budget cuts? I’m not sure if this is the final version of the video or a rough cut, but this green-screen-heavy clip doesn’t measure up to the power of the song. There were so many concepts that could have been utilized to make this a better video but hey, the shelf life for Day 26 is nearing its expiration – and no, that’s not hate: past actions predict future outcomes. I don’t think I need to explain the downfall of the Bad Boy dynasty. Let’s hope they’re smart investors because the sun may be setting soon on the community service project known as Day 26…

And can someone at Bad Boy PLEASE retire 112’s leather outfits??