Disco de Kurupt: “Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha [Clean]”

I have been a huge Kurupt fan ever since I heard him on "Stranded on Death Row" from the original Chronic album. He was an fierce on the mic. On his other featured tracks from the Chronic, he didn't come off as hard, but you knew the talent was there. Then came the infamous "Blunts and Tanqueray" on the B-side of the "Dre Day" single were Kurupt dropped what I thought was the greatest freestyle of all times. Ever since then I've been hooked. The Doggystyle album came, Kurupt got even better. He completly stole the scene on every track he was on. The Dogg Food album came, same results. I challenge anyone to find a better verse than Kurupt's on "A Doggz Day Afternoon". His style was sick and relentless. To me, in 1996 there was not a better MC in all of Hip Hop. Then came his first solo (his potnah Daz produced a handful of tracks) album "Kuruption". While it had it's fair share of highlights ("C-Walk", "Ask Yourself...", "That's Gangsta", the remix w/ Nore) it was a little too ambitious and on some songs his style seemed to change from a fierce battle rapper to a off beat mumbler. I was pretty dissapointed. When I started hearing his new stuff with the Horsemen and a few cuts leaked from These Streets... my expectations started grow again. This time I was not dissapointed, but pleasently surprised. From the opening track "I Call Shots" to the hidden "Callin' out Names" the album is very tight. While just about every song is worth a listen, the highlights are many. "Tequila" produced the always tight Organized Noize team is beautiful with Daz giving his best performance since "Doggpound Gangstaz" from Dogg Food. "Girls All Pause" with Nate Dogg is a banging West Coast heater. The title track starts off slow but by the second verse, you find yourself saying the chorus. The "Housewife" song with Dre and Hittman (which can also be found on Dr Dre 2001)is much better than the original on the Kuruption album. The NWA inspired "Loose Cannons" w/ Xzibit and Daz makes you want to go back and listen to Straight Outta Compton. The best track (and sadly, the shortest) is "Trylogy" with a sick classical sample looped over and over, Kurupt's speed and energy builds throughout the song and when he hits the climax it abruptly ends, leaving you to hit the skip back button on your cd player. Everyone is starting hype about the Ruff Ryders/Foxy Brown/Firm/Irv Gotti/Ja Rule diss "Callin Out Names", but buy this album to hear a tight rapper work his way through some dope tracks. While it is not perfect (like Dogg Food, and Doggystle), it is definate satisfaction for anyone with open ears. Do yourself a favor and cop this.

Dear gangsta rap fans, this is a jewel. Mr. Ricardo Brown aka Young Gotta aka Kurupt brings us the back to the essence of hardcore, G-funked gangsta rap. "The streetz..." can be compared with with major Cali albums; such as The Chronic and Doggystyle. The production is by Daz, Dre and Organized Noize (yepp! The Atlanta sound works d'mn fine with Kurupt's flow) Anyway, the album is packed with hits..."Ride with us"w/Daz is a hardhittin' and clever partytrack." "Neva Gonna Give It Up"w/Snoop, Daz and Nate is another bangin' Dogg Pound collabo that reminds us that Gangsta Rap is here to stay...thank God! And the punch at DMX and Foxy, "Callin' Out Names" is the biggest dis since Eazy's "Real Muthaphuccin' G'z". Anyway, this is a "must have" for every G-funk, Death Row, Ruthless, Gangsta fan out there.

KURUPT

THA STREETZ IZ A MUTHA

This was Kurupt's second album and by a lot of people's opinion his best to date, some like myself even consider it a classic. Kurupt is my favorite MC of all time so it isn't hard to believe that I love this album. But to be honest I really think there are songs here for anyone who is a fan of this kind of music. In fact I have never met anyone who didn't like "Who Ride Wit Us".

1."I Call the Shots"-This is one of the greatest songs ever made by Kurupt. Kurupt hits a flow like no other on this, and his younger brother Roscoe rips the song up. Organized Noize provide the beat. The brothers come so correct on this song with vicious flows and lyrics making this one of the best songs on the album.

2."Loose Cannons"-This makes me think of it as a more bouncy "Hollywood Bank Robbery" from the "Gang Related" soundtrack. The beat and the flows are excellent here with Daz Dillinger starting things off followed by Kurupt who kills it. Xzibit finishes things off on this bank robbery style track. Daz did a great job with the beat here and the effect on their voices during the song is fun.

3."Who Ride Wit Us"-One of my favorite songs to date, this banging ass beat from Fredwreck is bumpin for sure, plus the best team in rap ever [Kurupt & Daz] rip the track up. The production on here really is on of the best ever and it is no wonder this is most likely the most well known Kurupt track out there. Kurupt and Daz of course sound great together over the beat, and Bad Azz of course provides the hook.

4."Represent Dat G.C."-Fredwreck returns with another bumping beat like the last with verses from Kurupt, Daz, Snoop Dogg, Jayo Felony, Tray Dee, Soopafly, and Butch Cassidy. Kurupt kicks things off with that Young Gotti flow followed by Daz sounding great over this beat. Soopafly is next with maybe the best flow on the track followed by the OG Tray Dee and the hook. Jayo starts the next verse off with classic Felony style we all know and love, followed by Snoop's typical flow. Then after the hook Snoop returns followed by Kurupt but it is Daz's sing song style that may steal the show this time. But it is Butch Cassidy up next and he sounds great here.

5."Welcome Home"-One of the best producers stops by to create a classic on this one. Soopafly proves why is one of the best beat makers around. The instrumental here is perfect for Kurupt to talk about the place he lives in and his family. Latoyia Williams is perfect here on the chorus and sounds smooth and natural over the Soopafly production. One of my favorite tracks here easily.

6."Tequilla"-The beat is gangstafied by a long shot for sure here by Organized Crime, it holds it down for all the rides. Here we have Nivea before she had any hits of her own providing a great hook matching the tone of the instrumental. Kurupt is right at home over this bass, slow grove. T-Moe rips it up with a quick flow and adds a new element to the song. Daz ends things on a great note.

7."Trylogy"-Kurupt goes solo on this one with a nice beat provided by Bink Dogg. One of the best Kurupt songs ever with Young Gotti killing the orchasta like instrumental. The flow is lethal as are the lyrics, one of the best songs here.

8."Neva Gonna Give it Up"-This is a Dogg Pound theme song so to speak, with a beat from Meech Wells and hot verses from Kurupt, Snoop, Tray Dee, Soopafly, Nate Dogg, and Warren G. this is that posse cut that appeared on every DPG related album at the time. I really miss these types of songs, plus Nate Dogg [R.I.P.] sounds excellent here. Also it is always great to hear Warren G "Regulate" on a track.

9."Tha Streets iz a Mutha"-One of the best songs on the album, it is a strait west coast thumper to play in all rides for a long time. Daz holds it down heavy with the production here. This is a great Dogg Pound track with Kurupt & Daz ripping it like they did in their Death Row days. Very much one of my favorite songs on the album and I love the video.

10."Ya Can't Trust Nobody"-This one like the last was produced by and features Daz Dillinger and like the last is great. Also this one could have easily fit on either Daz's "Retaliation, Revenge, & Get Back" or "R.A.W." albums. The style of the production just makes me think that. Any way both are great here on another great Dogg Pound classic.

11."It Ain't about You"-Soopafly, and Tray Dee stop to show what is up for all you ladies out there. Well not all you ladies but you know the kind they are talking about. Kurupt, Tray Dee, and Soopafly all sound great over this Soopafly production. Each one of their flows match the beat perfectly.

12.Girls All Pause"-The first single from the album is one of the hottest songs on here. Bink provides one of the best productions here which sees Kurupt and Nate Dogg sounding off on the ladies here. Roscoe also stops by to drop a little quick something. Another one of the best tracks here.

13."Your Gyrl Friend"-The first of two songs from Tha Pound with this name, I think this one is better. Part two would appear on Daz's "R.A.W." album with Soopafly and Mac Shawn, it is a good song but the first one is better. Daz provides the beat again like he did for the second one as well. This one is basically about your girl being his girl and so on.

14."Ho's a Housewife"-Produced by Dr.Dre who drops a verse, and brings in Hittman for one as well, this is a remix from a song on Kurupts first album "Kuruption". This would also be on Dre's "2001" album so you know this is a great track. The original is a good song with a more lighthearted instrumental. This one fits more along the lines of Dre style which I guess is why he also used it.

15."I Ain't S*** Without my Homeboyz"-A great classic song, with tight verses and a smooth beat. I am sure everyone out there can relate to this song, we all have those friends we can count on one hand are really down with you. I love the instrumental that Soopafly and Daz crafted, fits the style of the song wonderfully. Everyone on the track which includes Kurupt, Daz, Soopafly, Baby S, and Crooked I drop some of my favorite verses on the album.

16."Step Up"-Daz once again does an excellent job on the production and it kinda reminds me of that old school battle stuff. Crooked I kills this track and proved why he is one of the most underrated artists ever to grace the mic. Kurupt destroys the second track and drops gems like he did during his Death Row days. Next up is Xzibit like the first two murders his verse, these guys are a deadly combination. A killer track and perfect for anyone wanting a lyrical murder session.

17."Live on The Mic"-A freestyle from Kurupt and KRS One. Both guys kill this track and it is cool to hear two of my favorites of all time together on here. Soopafly provided a simplistic beat that fits that KRS style, it felt like a freestyle session. Excellent track here.

18."Callin Out Names"-The killer diss song going at DMX, Ja Rule, and Murder INC, also Foxy Brown who he was once with. The whole thing with DMX and Foxy is what started this and Kurupt let all have it. The opening "Mutha F*** D, Mutha F*** M, only X I know is Xzibit or RBX" is now legendary and Fredwreck's beat is great. In my opinion this is one of the best diss songs out there, of course Kurupt is my favorite MC so I will be the first to admit the bias.

This is by far one of my favorite albums of all time, and very possibly my all time fav. I honestly don't think there is a bad song to be found here. I know lots of people who agree with me and some who don't, that's cool. It's a personal taste thing and for me if I was stuck on a disserted island with only five albums I can have with me this is one of them no doubt.

This was by far one of the hottest records i bought last year. It was underrated and only got any props for "Who Ride Wit Us?" but was really an all around superior album. "Ride wit us," was a great single, but "Callin' Out Names" gave this one it's street reputation. "Your Gyrlfriend" was my favorite track, though. The beats on this LP were THE BEST I had heard in years. The bouncy G-Funk flavor made this the only record in my deck for a long time. This one has it all, with plenty of guest appearences, it only proved that the modern hip hop industry is bulls**t and you have to have a big name to get props. Pick "Streetz" up, you wont be disapointed. This actually deserved the 5 starts, unlike most records that get them.

Well, Kurupt is back at it, with tight tracks and beats. Finally he might be getting some recognition with this album, with the way he cusses out Ruff Ryders and DMX. Now the question is will DMX, come back and try and cuss out Kurupt? I certainly hope he does, because then everyone will know about the "Young Gottstrah... Young Frank Sinatra."- I Call Shots