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Westside Connection - Bow Down (The Source Review)

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West Coast Veteran:
WESTSIDE CONNECTION
Bow Down
Lench Mob/Priority Records
Production: Ice Cube, QDIII, Bud'da, Binky



   Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10 are stirring up a hornet's nest...and they really don't give a damn if they get stung. Their collective effort as the Westside Connection, Bow Down, assumes the position of spokesmen for the entire gangsta rap genre that has been dissed or slighted by NY publications and rappers. To even the score - not remedy the situation - the trio has set out to record the ultimate G-rap collaboration for those who thought the music was a recurring nightmare for hip-hop.

   Quite simply, Bow Down, is the best Ice Cube-related project in years - 10 tracks and three skits of well-executed and tightly produced songs. Adding a quaking bassline, the group gangsterizes the Stylistics' classic "People Make The World Go Round" on "Gangstas Make The World Go Round," a brief history on how gangstas have taken over world economies and world governments, as well as the streets and the recording industry. "The Gangsta, The Killa, & The Dope Dealer," with its old western/Trent Reznor rock melody, delves into the occupational hazards among the three types of gangsta rappers. On the ill tip, the trio goes ballistic on "All the Critics In NY," "Cross 'em Out & Put a K," and King Of the Hill" - spewing venom at NY magazine critics, Cypress Hill, Q-Tip, and every rapper that has dissed gangsta rap. Other dope tracks include "3 Time Felon," "Westward Ho" and the remixed Lench Mob posse cut, "Hoo Bangin'."

   All three Westside Connection MCs put their all into this project, as evidenced by their delivery: extreme bravado and reinvigoration of subject content. But while Cube and WC vent their anger and frustration at the agents of their discontent, the fact that they are still champions of hip-hop's social awareness movement seems to have escaped the two. This album contains no attacks on government officials or police chiefs, no addressing of COINTEL programs with the gangs in their backyard, no referencing of historical facts and no sense of purpose (except for the obliteration of NY). But while the album is one of the year's best, and Cube, WC and Mack 10 are bringing it on all lyrical and musical fronts, the tone and spirit seem a bit trite after Tupac's murder.  

_That_Cracka_J:
I was really surprised they gave this album such a high rating.

King Tech Quadafi:

--- Quote from: _That_Cracka_J on May 06, 2003, 09:41:26 PM ---I was really surprised they gave this album such a high rating.

--- End quote ---

Gangsta_T:
yea

thats almost impossible...

Vigilante:
it should get a 4.5, its not classic but its mad dope

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