Likwit Junkies - ''The LJ's''

[Conan]

LIkwit Junkies, ‘’The LJ’s’’
By Conan Milne

Legendary LA mic-slayer and Likwit Crew longstayer Defari plus World Famous Beat Junkie and veteran turntable-spinner DJ Babu equals a classic underground hip-hop pairing. That’s what the blueprint for the debut from this dynamic duo hailing from the City of Angels must have looked like. Yet, whilst the final product doesn’t quite attain the classic status that some might have anticipated due to a few irritating niggles, the Likwit Junkies still manage to create an effort that proves that the West Coast can do rugged hip-hop just well as their undeniably talented Eastern peers.
Defari has already crafted a moderately successful solo career, after releasing his praised debut ‘’Focused Daily’’, and collaborating with the likes of Xzibit and Dr. Dre. Babu, meanwhile, has maintained a huge level of respect among hip-hop heads for some time and his collaboration with rappers Evidence and Iriscience to formulate the Dilated Peoples has continued his dominance in the game. From the introduction and first proper track off of ‘’The LJ’s’’ record it is immediately apparent that both men are aware of what benefits they bring to the project. Songstress Noelle croons how the two are ‘’so amazing’’ on the fittingly titled ‘’LJ’s Anthem’’, whilst Defari opens the CD by referring to the ‘’miraculous’’ and ‘’astronomical’’ nature of the LJ’s output.
As the album progresses, its hard to argue against these expressions. The afore-mentioned ‘’LJ’s Anthem’’ not only displays Defari’s passion for blazing the microphone (‘’this hip-hop is the essence of our very lives’’) but allows Babu to provide a slinky, elegant beat that perfectly fits Noelle’s booming voice and Defari’s confident flow. Additionally, those who believe that West Coast rap amounts to nothing more than lyrics abundant in guns and gangstas should give the track ‘’The Hop’’ a good listen. It can only be described as positive music, and that’s not to say the track is corny. This clear highlight could actually be described as a slice of hip-hop at its very finest. Defari’s verses are uplifting without resorting to cliché, and Babu’s thumping instrumental is only rivalled by his typically exceptional scratching of the words ‘’Don’t Stop’’’.
Disappointingly the album follows this inspiring song with the clunky ‘’Salute’’ that proves even a team of this high calibre can falter at times. Unfortunately, this isn’t the only time that Mr. Herut and Babs fumble the ball. The album probably would have been better off without the explicit ‘’D.G. Skit’’ which sees the ‘D to the E’ boasting about his...physical attributes. Evidently, this (along with homage's to marijuana, which also pops up on ‘’The LJ’s with the tired cut ‘’The Good Green’’) is a theme which has been done to death in rap, regardless of the twist the MC attempts to place on the subject.
At the end of the day though, the many positives of ‘’The LJ’s’’, including the aggressive posse cut ‘’Strength in Numbers’’ and the gripping ‘’Change’’ which shows Defari’s skill at story telling, vastly outweighs these minor flaws.    In fact, despite these slightly negative aspects the CD stands head and shoulders above many of the commercial rap releases from this year and can be played through without resorting to the old faithful ‘skip’ button. In rap music nowadays, this could be ‘’The LJ’s’’ highest commendation. Filler free - a rare achievement indeed.

[Lil White Azz]

Yeah, this is a hot album, gonna buy it next week.....