Why Doesn't Crooked I Spit Like He Did Back In '98?

[Low Key]

I am listening to the 19th Street compilation right now and it amazes me how he flipped shit back then. Since he made Death Rizzo, he has never really spit the same. I like his style now, but why doesn't he ever try to push the envelope with the way he used to kick his rhymes? That is what really got me into Crooked I even before he signed to Death Row and changed his name from Crooked Eye.

[D1G1T4L]

cause he wants to appeal to the mainstream and have his album sell?

[Low Key]

I understand that and I don't disagree with making a change, but it's almost like he isn't trying anymore. His latest singles have been very mediocre and his flow has gotten lazy. If he drops a few songs with his 19th Street style on an album I will be very satisfied, but from the sound of his last mixtape and the songs that have leaked from his new one, he isn't even going to try to flip some shit. I hope that's not the case.

[R-Tistic]

I don't think he has slipped up or declined at all. There have been a few songs here and there that didn't move me much, but he has still brought more heat than most other rappers in the last few years. I think he murdered "Mill out tha deal" and that song would definitely appeal to people who like songs like "I'm a hustla". He definitely came correct on the mixtape. On Boom Boom Clap, he dropped somethin that had appeal but was still sick as hell if you listen to how he broke shit down and spit it. If you had said why doesn't Kurupt spit like he did in 96, or why doesn't Snoop sound like 94, why doesn't Cube sound like 91, why doesn't Mack 10 sound like 95, then I'd probably agree with you. But Crooked has still been droppin major heat to me, and he has kept up with the times.

[King Tech Quadafi]

Cuz i wouldnt be surprised if he all drained out, imagine how many sick verses he let out the system in the 4 years he was at the row?

[UWA 187]

Anybody got any examples of this old style? About the oldest Crooked I track I've heard was Fuc Wid Us and that was pretty dope.

[7even]

He's probably depressed and noone can blame him for that.

[bigg sherm]

why dont you broaden the question and ask why doesnt ANYONE spit like they did in 98

[makaveli11]

I am listening to the 19th Street compilation right now and it amazes me how he flipped shit back then. Since he made Death Rizzo, he has never really spit the same. I like his style now, but why doesn't he ever try to push the envelope with the way he used to kick his rhymes? That is what really got me into Crooked I even before he signed to Death Row and changed his name from Crooked Eye.

^I thought I was the only one that felt like that.

Cuz i wouldnt be surprised if he all drained out, imagine how many sick verses he let out the system in the 4 years he was at the row?

^very true. Imagine if that happened to kurupt from 92-96.

He's probably depressed and noone can blame him for that.

[TuSlic]

19st compilation was fiyaaah, crook was spittin back then, then with his shit on sway and tech with chino xl, now his shit is like whatever

[africas seed]

yeah im feelin yall on this as i also think that crookeds lyrical heat has diminished a bit
i understand that hes tryin to appeal to the mainstream but IMO some of his new tracks just dont have that lyrical fire that he used to bring that seperates crooked from other mcs

[Low Key]

Anybody got any examples of this old style? About the oldest Crooked I track I've heard was Fuc Wid Us and that was pretty dope.

Here's a quick 4 song sampler.

Gangsta Gangsta (Crook's verse starts around 1:52)
http://s62.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2DJZU1HXH04UG2YVA9DLY7GBN3

Stay Out Of LA (2:13)
http://s62.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=267FY2FBQK8JP3A3F3C6NLP2E4

Servin' & Swervin' (3:16)
http://s62.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2HY6CR502DOQ60D4K6MUI77LNC

Success Before I Die (2:43)
http://s62.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2C0WAYWWOEAXW1DF2X3SOE6EAT

He's probably depressed and noone can blame him for that.

I can understand that a little bit, but Universal did front him a bunch of money to start up Dynasty and I know something like that would put me in a good mood.

I don't think he has slipped up or declined at all. There have been a few songs here and there that didn't move me much, but he has still brought more heat than most other rappers in the last few years. I think he murdered "Mill out tha deal" and that song would definitely appeal to people who like songs like "I'm a hustla". He definitely came correct on the mixtape. On Boom Boom Clap, he dropped somethin that had appeal but was still sick as hell if you listen to how he broke shit down and spit it. If you had said why doesn't Kurupt spit like he did in 96, or why doesn't Snoop sound like 94, why doesn't Cube sound like 91, why doesn't Mack 10 sound like 95, then I'd probably agree with you. But Crooked has still been droppin major heat to me, and he has kept up with the times.

When I said his latest couple of singles were very mediocre I should have I meant they were very mediocre for Crooked I's standards. His raps do fit the times and he still rips it better than a lot of rappers, but a couple tracks sound like he made the just to make them. I would have brought up those others too but they aren't really the future of hip hop anymore. They had their shine. Crooked I is just coming up so I'd like to see him just break the door down instead of trying to fit in with the rest of the crowd.

[Juronimo]

Gangsta Gangsta (Crook's verse starts around 1:52)

OMG this song is 
I've never heard this 19th st compilation. I need to get my hands on this.

[GangstaBoogy]

Cuz i wouldnt be surprised if he all drained out, imagine how many sick verses he let out the system in the 4 years he was at the row?

yeah thats real.

[herpes]

crooked i is still alive.  i used to tell everyone to check for this cat hes going put the west back on the map this and that and now i dont even check for him no more.