20/20 [Explicit Lyrics]

Dilated Peoples | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 21, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000E5L834
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,535 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

New album from west coast hip-hop act Dilated Peoples. Japan edition includes exclusive enhanced content. Virgin. 2006. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars worth buying for the Dilated fan, but it isn't great, February 23, 2006

By 

A. Wonderly "connisseur of fine cheeses" (sunny socal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 20/20 (Audio CD)

It's hard to say this album sucks, but really it just doesn't hit hard at all. This album is really formulaic-sounding, and not terribly creative. Back Again is a decent track, but a little repetitive, plus they never left so what is the point. Rather ironic to make your first single Back Again when this has been the shortest amount of time between albums.

My favorite tracks are probably You Can't Hide You Can't Run, and Kindness for Weakness. Defari is the only reason that Olde English is a good track (if you see Olde English in the grocery store, fight the temptation because it is horrible beer, it will give you a mild hangover from drinking just one 40).

The saddest part of this whole thing is the lyrics, which have gone downhill significantly since Platform. Rakaa has always been tight, but Evidence has been extremely boring starting with Expansion Team, save one or two songs. This album is carried by the catchy scratches, and the verses just seem like going through the motions. Even Rakaa used to have way more creative lyrics, but in this album it's just blah blah plus mentioning Bush or the Contra affair or some political nonsense. If you want a sample of how Evidence used to be, jump on limewire and download "Main Event" and "Work the Angles."

Dilated used to be cool and unique, but they've managed to pigeonhole themselves into a rather boring style. I even thought Neighborhood Watch bordered on formulaic/repetitive, but it even has tracks I love like Reach Us (instant classic), Love and War, and World on Wheels. If I were to compose a best of Dilated mixtape, I don't think that any tracks from 20-20 would be on there.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not As Bad As Bad As What Most People Are Saying (4 stars), June 13, 2006

By 

Chandler "Infamous" (Atlanta (College Park), Georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: 20/20 (Audio CD)

I admit, Dilated Peoples Album 20/20, has its strong points and its weak points. No I don't have any other DP albums, so I can't really say if they are getting better or worse lyrically, but I've been hearing them on compilation albums such as Lyricist Lounge II, and Soundbombing II and finally decided to give them a try.

There are some strong points on this album. The lead single "Back Again" and "You Can't Hide, You Can't Run" and "The One And Only" come off nice with the samples on the track, along with DJ Babu cutting and scratching, that kind of reminds me of hip hop back in the early 90's, because you don't hear many DJs doing things like that on albums very much. Rakaa Iriscience really comes off hard on most of the tracks such as "Firepower (The Tables Have To Turn)", a reggae type of track saying "If we say we're 'Pro War'/ only fight for peace/ man that means it's no war/ think the price of life is cheap?/ but we're saying no more..."

There are some weak points also in this album. First, Evidence comes off medicore behind the mic, on tracks such as "Another Sound Mission" or even on the good song "Back Again" where he says "It's a new year, ok, I got sh.. to confess/ like I don't smoke no weed no more, but ain't smoking no less..." There is some weak production also. Most of the production is kept within Dilated Peoples fam, including Alchemest. Despite the lyrically great song "Kindness For Weakness" featuring Talib Kweli, its flooded with medicore production from Evidence. "The Eyes Have It" I'm just not feeling as it comes off weak sounding. Defari Herut makes a somewhat decent appearance in the song "Old English" Also the skits between songs are pretty pointless as they're about weed, which I don't mind, but it gets annoying.

20/20 is not as bad as everyone is saying. There are some ups and some downs to it, and it's an album that deserves to be given a spin or two. Don't believe these Amazon reviewers or magazine reviews that gave it a one or a two stars, because its not all weak. Cop the album and listen for yourself.

Lyrics: B-
Production: B-
Guest Appearances: B-
Overall: B-

Favorite Tracks: Back Again, You Can't Hide, Rapid Transit,Fire Power (The Tables Have To Turn), The One And Only

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's business as usual for Dilated Peoples, April 22, 2006

By 

Dustin J. Lathrop (Nevada City, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 20/20 (Audio CD)

Well it seems that Dilated Peoples fourth album is very underrated. The people reviewing this album forget the fact that these cats are bringing honest hip hop to the table. Sure 20/20 isn't their best, but hey it's better than 90 percent of the hip hop music released today. If nothing else this has to be a solid album with a few cuts missing the mark. Back Again, Kindness for Weakness and all the rest except for the songs with Capleton and Olde English are good. I know a lot of people don't like Evidence as a rapper and they think he should step his game up. I will admit that Rakaa is better than he is when it comes to rapping, but hey atleast he is talking about original stuff. DJ Babu, the DJ and member of the group, does his thing on the wheels of steel for the solo cut The One and Only. Most of the beats were produced by Babu. For the most part the beats are good quality and the lyrics and the scratches by Babu are strong, but it's definetely not The Platform. Dilated Peoples get a B grade for the effort and they are really only a handful of crews in hip hop who are really putting thought and energy into their music.