Author Topic: Guerilla Black: Guerilla City IGN review (Read 236 times)

Thirteen · « **on:** March 09, 2005, 08:50:05 PM »

Sure, it's Biggie Lite, but it's good riding music.

March 09, 2005 - In the first track of Guerilla Black's debut album, he raps "He look like Big, he sound like Big/ Yo, I'm B-L-A-C-K… you dig?" Despite Guerilla Black's best efforts to divorce himself from the Notorious B.I.G., there's no denying that he does look and sound like the late Big Poppa. But so what if it sounds like Biggie is haunting the mic? This is a good riding record with slick production and beats that blur your rearview.

The album drops with "Hearts of Fire," a statement track with a confident beat, simple rhymes and a great chorus hook. What's ironic is that this track tries hard to establish that GB isn't Biggie, but it's the one that sounds most like him.

There's no questioning where GB is from. The album art features the artist in front of the street sign for Compton Blvd., and the first three songs make frequent references to the CPT. In fact the third track, featuring Beenie Man, is actually called "Compton." With an easy-riding flow and slick rhymes, it's easy to picture yourself rolling through the sun-drenched streets with the top down.

The rhymes throughout are simplistic without sounding stupid, and the album moves effortlessly through styles, from the driving flow of "Hearts on Fire" to the decidedly West Coast production of "Guerilla City," which hearkens back to Dre's "Xxplosive." "You're the One" is the requisite R&B-laced track, "Trixx" fulfills the strip club jam requirement, "What We Gonna Do" provides the Nate Dogg flavor that every West Coast record needs, and "Say What" plays like a mix of old school drums and new school flow.

GB is comfortable dropping science over every style, and his voice never sounds uncomfortable or out of place. As we've already touched on, some of the tracks sound quite a bit like other artists. You'll swear you're hearing 50 on "It's Alright, and there's the Biggie vibe throughout, but somehow the record transcends the comparisons and becomes its own coherent whole.

Guerilla City rides down well-traveled streets, and those weary of gold chains, Tec-9s and club anthems might want to avoid it. Nothing here is all that original, but that doesn't mean it's without merit. Black's rhymes are basic but tight, the beats will move you, and the guest shots are understated and well-placed. What's more, the record doesn't outlast its welcome, weighing in at a well-polished thirteen tracks (and two skits). Pop it in the system on a sunny day and head down the coast. You won't be disappointed.

Download:
Hearts of Fire
Compton
Say What

-- Chris Carle

Overall Score 7.8