M.O.P. - The Foundation (XXL Review)

[Okka]

Throughout their career, M.O.P. have epitomized hardcore hip-hop. Now, after numerous mixtapes and side projects, the firing squad returns with Foundation, their first LP in nine years.

M.O.P.’s Lil’ Fame and Billy Danze waste no time delivering their patented brand of adrenaline-pumping music. With “Crazy,” Fame makes a clear distinction between reality television and the street’s harsh realities, as he spits, “This ain’t making of the band, this is making of the ‘BLAM’!” Never wavering, the duo keep it consistent on “Ghetto,” where over a creeping guitar and a wailing vocal sample they drop more gritty details about their impoverished Brooklyn digs. The angry barbs are not misguided, though—Billy and Fizzy Womack’s relationship is deeper than rap and thoroughly explained on the Statik Selektah–produced “Forever and Always,” an ode to the group’s humble beginnings.

There are, however, a few minor miscues. Like “Make ’Em Clap,” where producer Tailor Made’s staccato drums and organ stabs never really find their groove. And “Riding Thru,” featuring Redman, falters at the hands of a lazily crafted hook, if nothing else. Luckily, “Brooklyn,” a smoky, reggae-infused anthem about the county of Kings puts the project back on its proper footing, as Billy offers assistance to overzealous tourists.

Not many groups maintain an excellence of execution after 15 years in the game, but M.O.P. are far from ordinary. If anything, Fame and Danze sound as hungry as ever, and for fans of that hardcore, Foundation is just one more dose of that raw. –Paul Cantor

http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=51175

[Invincible]

Has the album leaked?

[Okka]

I don't think it has leaked yet. I got big hopes for this, Cormega's comparin' it to Prodigy's "HNIC2".

EDIT: "Foundation" coming out June 30th

[Invincible]

I don't think it has leaked yet. I got big hopes for this, Cormega's comparin' it to Prodigy's "HNIC2".

EDIT: "Foundation" coming out June 30th

June?

[Okka]

I don't think it has leaked yet. I got big hopes for this, Cormega's comparin' it to Prodigy's "HNIC2".

EDIT: "Foundation" coming out June 30th

June?

That's what it says on their myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/theofficialmop

[Jome]

Can't wait for a proper M.O.P. LP, but XXL reviews can't be trusted for shit.. good to see Statik Selektah on there, and hopefully Primo & DR Period is on there as well.

[Okka]

good to see Statik Selektah on there, and hopefully Primo & DR Period is on there as well.

Premier was supposin' to be the executive producer on this album.

[sav]

September 1st is the release date.

[UKnowWhatItIs: welcome to my traps....game over]

I don't think it has leaked yet. I got big hopes for this, Cormega's comparin' it to Prodigy's "HNIC2".

Well was HNIC2 any good?? In what way did he even compare these 2 CDs, did he claim they have a similiar sound??

[Okka]

Well was HNIC2 any good?? In what way did he even compare these 2 CDs, did he claim they have a similiar sound??

I liked it, real much. One of the best records released in 2008. Here's what Cormega said:

MOP album is HARD! Im mean hard remember when I heard HNIC2 I told you the beginning was hard well MOP shit is like that on steroids!! And I heard more songs then when I heard HNIC2 that shit is going to have people excited especially Crazy whiteboys who like the mosh pit type shit and grimey street dudes. All I can say is thanks you Fame Billy Laze etc!!!!!!

-the moshpit is back trust me this may be one of the BEST albums of the year if the rest of the album is up there with what I heard and Fame is a dope producer I think the albums called the Foundation

-I recently got a call from someone telling me Rae new album is crazy and it got me excited for Hip Hop as a whole so add the MOP shit to that list

-If Rae lives up to the hype and it drops on time and MOP comes in Sept (they will) and some dude name Mega drops Born And Raised shit is gonna be real I cant speak for the other bigger artist because they have to do what they must to meet sales quota but the street music is comin

[UKnowWhatItIs: welcome to my traps....game over]

^Good looking. Shit, I'm DEFINITELY getting this.

[Soopahigh]

^Good looking. Shit, I'm DEFINITELY getting this.

[A1]

MOOOOPPPSSS YESS/TERRATORAL OGSSSSS/YESS!!!

Cant wait for this