Let's be real here...this is a mixtape. Prodigy is just honing his craft and preparing the world for H.N.I.C 2. A professional demo would be more fitting. P's flow is perfect for Alchemist's sonic landscape. The album is gangsta and elegant, with 70's soul serving as the soundtrack. The best Alchemist production to date...better than 1st Infantry, which is an underrated gem. Return of the Mac is a hip-hop jewel!
Return of the Mac is the first solo release we've had from Prodigy, of Mobb Deep fame, since 2000's H.N.I.C.; this is the most noticable fact. 7 years, and many mediocre Mobb Deep albums, later, we're treated to this so-called mixtape of Prodigy material. I'm not sure how this qualifies as a mixtape more than an album; the material within is of a considerabley higher quality than 99% of mixtapes, there're no annoying DJ shoutouts or adlibs, and Return of the Mac flows consistently together. From Return of the Mac up till Stop Fronting, with the exception of two skits, P's latest is pure, unadulterated dope.
Is Prodigy the rapper he once was? Certaintly not. His rhymes have suffered since Murda Muzik, and even on H.N.I.C., it was clear that Prodigy had made a permanent change in his style. If you look at P's lyrics on paper, hardly any of them rhyme, and they have little to no flow; when P spits them, they take on a life of their own, unbelievably becoming some of the illest lyrics any emcee has spit. Prodigy may not have the wit of a Ghostface Killah or a Redman, or the flow of a Q-Tip or a Jay-Z, but what he does is, like the aforementioned artists', a style entirely his own.
The production is just as tight as P's prowess behind the mic. Alchemist produced the entirety of this project, and it's evident from the first listen. He once again proves behind the boards on Return of the Mac why he's one of underground hip-hop's most heralded beatsmiths, as he provides P with some of the dopest beats we've heard in more than a minute. Return Of the Mac, Stuck On You, Mac 10 Handle, and Legends are only examples of his brilliance; it comes out full force on the album's mantlepiece, Bang On 'Em. Such an amazing track, and reason enough to purchase Prodigy's Return of the Mac.
This maybe a 'mixtape,' at least to P, but odds are, this will go down as one of the very best of '07 when we compile lists. Prodigy isn't the beast he once was, but he is a warn-torn veteran who boasts more than enough experience, and knowledge to make an album such as this one of the better projects we've heard in awhile. Fans of Mobb Deep, this is highly recommended.
Good rapper, this to me is the best rap cd to come out this week.
Prodigy is back,and this time,his well-spit raps about crime in the big city are on point,in my book.he enlists a rap vet or "prodigy" for his production with the alchemist on this joint that make it the perfect backdrop for a truly grimy album.HE'S spitting like the "Hell on earth" cd.If you enjoy what Prodigy does on the mic, you'll love this release,and the alchemist sounds like he is truly perfecting his craft with this one. A GREAT BUY!Believe me, i consider myself a strong student in the culture of hip-hop,and have been listening since i was 9 yrs. old,and been listening to "Mobb Deep" since "The Infamous" days",and this is prodigy at his finest.I hope that when he is done with his 3 yr. bid, he'll have some heat for the streets,again.If you buy this album,you"ll get exactly what you hope to hear,true grimy,no holds barred,New York street rap ,with no apologies.
This Cd is 5 stars all the way. I can see where people would tottally hate this Cd though you gotta be a hardcore rap fan and Mobb deep fan if you are than this ones for you if not buy Kaye West or something.
