Customer Reviews

B Coming

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek were supposed to take over the Roc as soon as Jay Z supposedly retired years ago. However, while Beanie released better CDs than Memphis Bleek, his CDs were never classic material. He did have tracks like "Who Want What w/Memphis Bleek and "What's Your Life Like" which is my favroite Beanie track of all time, but "The Truth" nor "The Reason" were hip hop classics. Beanie Sigel and Memphis Bleek were always good on Rocafella collaborations, however. "4 Da Fam" was the best that I ever heard Memphis Bleek and Jay Z, Beanie and Mephis Bleek ripped "Murda, Murda (Marcyville)" to shreds because of the Scott Storch production. However, for some reason neither could do it on their own solo CD. With "The B. Coming", Beanie Sigel has finally brought what I had expected he could do all along to the table. First of all, it doesn't sound like any of the material was forced. On "The Truth", there was a track with Eve entitled "Remember The Days". It sounded like the track was made only because Beanie Sigel did a track on Eve's CD entitled "Philly, Philly". So "Remember The Days" didn't come off as tight as "Philly, Philly" did.

Beanie definitely wins with his reflections on his 1st single, "Feel It In The Air", w/Melissa. Heavy D, of all people, produces this track, who he originally gave to Black Rob, and Beanie reminds you of Scarface as he brilliantly reflects to thoughts that were going on in his head. This track starts "The B. Coming" off just right. Then things get even better on "I Can't Go On This Way" as Aqua gives Beanie a nice track to rip to shreds. His verse on this song gave Beanie a rhyme of the month spot in The Source, not that it means as much these days, and Beanie shows what he is capable of as far as his rhyme skills are concerned. The only let down on this track is that Freeway and Young Chris can't maintain the lyrical weight that Beanie establishes at the first part of the track. "One Shot Deal" is a song that features the Funk Doctor himself, Redman. The thing that I like about this track is that Beanie and Redman rhyme like this is their one shot to get a recording contract and they both come with lyrical firepower over the Bink produced track. "Gotta Have It" is a decent track but the song sounds like it's Peedi Crakk featuring Beanie Sigel & Twista instead of how it's supposed to be. Twista shines as usual and Chad West provides a nice change of pace track for this CD. The second single, "Don't Stop", features Snoop Dogg on the chorus and The Neptunes on the boards. Although, this track doesn't sound as commercial as most Neptunes' tracks do. Snoop chimes in with, "Now let's toast to the man, that when he gets out, that he can do the things that he's rapping about". Then Beanie makes things even better with the lyrics. "Purple Rain" features Bun B of the group UGK as Beanie and Bun B talk about on of their guilty pleasures. The two rappers collaboarate well together just as Jay Z and UGK did with "Big Pimpin'". If you do not own UGK's "Ridin' Dirty" and "Dirty Money", you don't know what you are missing. "Change" and "Lord Have Mercy" fall right in line with "Feel It In The Air". You can tell where Beanie's mind set was when he was making this CD. He knew he was going to have to do some time behind bars.

The song that is clearly the best track on "The B.Coming" is "Bread & Butter". I couldn't have imagined Beanie Sigel on a track with Grand Puba & Sadat X of Brand Nubian but where there is a Just Blaze there is a way. The song starts off with a sample of a man that is sarcastically talking about how his lover has treated him and then Beanie Sigel and Grand Puba take it from there. The best part being that Just Blaze incorporates Brand Nubian's "Slow Down" during the song. Anybody that is into old school hip hop will enjoy this collaboration. With "Bread & Butter" and Fat Joe's "Safe To Say (Da Incredible)", Just Blaze has 2 of the hottest beats out right now.

"Tales Of A Hustler Part 2" features Oschino & Sparks and is a pretty good track but the song sounds just like something that you heard on the 2 State Property soundtracks. "It's On" which features Jay Z is a nice track to have on this CD if you didn't buy the State Property 2 soundtrack. Jay Z and Beanie Sigel display the same chemistry on this song as they have on other Rocafella classics. "Wanted" features Cam'rom and although Cam'ron's lyrics have slipped for the most part as he follows his Dipset comrades he delivers one of his better performances on this track.

Overall, I feel that "The B. Coming" is Beanie Sigel's best CD. There aren't any aims to be commercial on this CD and Beanie feels as comfortable as I have ever heard him on a solo CD. Hopefully, he will be able to continue what he has started with "The B. Coming" and hopefully he has learned that he needs to straighten out his life and stay out of trouble. If you enjoyed "The Truth" and "The Reason", then you'll definitely enjoy "The B. Coming".

James' Top 5

1) Bread & Butter w/Grand Puba & Sadat X of Brand Nubian
2) Purple Rain w/Bun B of UGK
3) I Can't Go On This Way w/Freeway & Young Chris
4) Feel It In The Air
5) Don't Stop w/Snoop Dogg

Beanie Sigel returns with his third solo album "The B.Coming". Philly's Sigel completed the album before being incarcerated on a gun possession charge. "Feel It In The Air" is an outstanding track, Sigels lyrics, the production of this cut and Melissa's soulful singing make this a track to remember. Sigel continues to impress on "I Can't Go On This Way" delivering some quality reality Rap. The album's commercial single has Sigel and Snoop collabing on the laidback Neptunes produced "Don't Stop". Another standout is "Change" feat. Rell & Mellissa, this track has an old school slow jam feel to it. Sigel shines again on "Lord Have Mercy" delivering more reflective and introspective lyrics. Oschino and Sparks drop in for the thugged out "Tales of A Hustler Pt. II" then Sigel hooks up Rell for another impressive cut "Look at me now", the production on this one reminds me of the music from Rocky. Jay-Z makes an appearance on "It's On", both MC's come across well on this cut. The album closes strong with a fast paced banger "Wanted" which samples Bon Jovi, Sigel and Cam'ron kill this cut. Low points of this album for me are some of the guest appearances, in particular Peedi Crack's and the production on a couple of tracks. Overall this is an album worth checking out if your a Sigel fan or enjoy reality street Rap. 3.5.

First, this is not Beans' best album. Maybe to the new jacks. It's not Beans' fault though, because he just caught an attempted murder and gun possesion charge. The release date kept getting pushed back. He even had to shoot 2 music videos in one day. (Thats why Snoop is just pasted studio footage in the "Don't Stop" video.) There were so many obstacles infront of him. He had limited time to record, and eventualy the album was rushed and old songs were thrown on it.

Still, its a good CD. One of the better CD's in Hip-Hop for the year. What I really missed from Sigel was the raw energy and grime in his music. This CD is more soft, and takes a laid back route. It's also crowded, because there are guest features on nearly the entire album. Still, with the change of style, and constant features, there are still some stand out tracks.

Probably the best song on the album (or to me anyway), "One Shot Deal" featuring Redman. It's just got that energy that Funk Doc is known for, but still has that raw feel that Beans gives. Both highly underrated rappers. Next would have to be (even though it was on State Property Presents The Chain Gang Vol. 2 [not a soundtrack]), "It's On" featuring Jay-Z. Then "Purple Rain" featuring Port Arthur, Texas' own Bun-B. The album is flawless except for some exceptions. ("Gotta Have It" and "Don't Stop" were cheesy to me.) Other then that, I'd still give it 5 stars.

Only thing missing for me is another Scarface collab (Beans and Face should seriously make an album).

I definately recommend this CD. If your a new jack and want to really hear Beans, I also recommend his debut album "The Truth." Which is probably his best.

Note: Even with problems with the law and date changes. Sigel has put out an album better then what most rappers can do with 2 years of concentrating on just there album.

1. Feel It In The Air (feat. Melissa) 5/5 -Like always, every Beanie Sigel album has an excellent opening track, no exception here.(Produced By: Heavy D)
2. I Can't Go On This Way (feat. Freeway & Young Chris) 5/5- Great song, about life and how Beanie Sigel had to change his way of being to move on in life. (Produced By: Aqua)
3. One Shot Deal! (feat. Redman) 4.5/5-Damn 4 minutes of straight rappin' w/o a chorus, Redman brings heat for the first time in a while. (Produced By: Bink!)
4. Gotta Have It (feat. Peedi Crakk & Twista) 4.5/5- Nice bouncy beat that has club potential Twista's rapid flow saves the song though. (Produced By: Chad "Wes" Hamilton)
5. Don't Stop (feat. Snoop Dogg) 5/5-Probably the most kick back song to have a good time to on this album. Plus it's the official first single. (Produced By: The Neptunes)
6. Purple Rain (feat. Bun B) 5/5-Another kick back song featuring Houston's underground king Bun B. This song is about smoking weed & other drug taking substances. (Produced By: DJ Scratch)
7. Oh Daddy (feat. Young Chris) 3/5- The worst song on the album but it's still alright nothing special here, what kills it is the sluggish pace of the beat. (Produced By: Boola)
8. Change (feat. Rell) 4.5/5- This song to me has a "Rocky" type music feeling. (Produced By: Ty Fyffe)
9. Bread & Butter (feat. Grand Puba & Sadat X) 5/5- My Favorite track of the album, great flow & soul sampled song. (Produced By : Just Blaze)
10. Lord Have Mercy 4.5/5- Song to the lord to tell him that when he gets to heaven to have mercy on him. (Produced By: Ruggedness)
11. Flatline (feat. Peedi Crakk) 5/5- Raw classic Hip-Hop, fast paced flow and great beat. (Produced by: Boola)
12. Tales Of A Hustler Pt. 2 (feat. Oschino & Sparks) 4.5/5- Sequel To "The Reasons" Tales Of A Hustler. (Produced by: Boola)
13. Look At Me Now 5/5- Explains all the hardship he's been through in his life. (Produced By: Buckwild)
14. It's On (feat. Jay-Z) 5/5- To good, I cant explain it. (Produced by: D. Dot)
15. Wanted (On the Run) (feat. Cam'Ron) 5/5 - This song has a Bon Jovi sample, that Beans & Killa Cam kill. (Produced By: Da Neckbones)

Man, this album was pretty good.....The beginning track, and single I can feel it in the air is a PERFECT opener for the album...THe Sample of "I can feel it in the air" and the lyrics sync VERY well with the track and just bring out an emotionally filled trak on here.....Other than that, productionz on POINT here, no weak beats on here....I think this is his most complete joint he's put out for real....Good lyrics, good concepts, good record, what more could you ask for? Def pick this up

This album proves sigels a lyrical monster and he improved since his last lp, to bad it probably would be over looked because hype sells records nowadays. at the end of the day an artist is build from his lyrics. aside from lyrics the production is a plus giving you a street sound along with the a bunch of personal records for thought.

01 feel it in the air *****
(this is a personal record which is great for relaxing and vibing in the zone with great lyrics about his struggle and the things that can put him away doing wrong but thats his only way)

02 I can't go on this way *****
(another personal record telling the haters and his self he can't go on lving so ruff so he gotta stay focused on his career with the same veiws coming from freeway & young chris)

03 one shat deal ***** (hip hop to the fullist none stop punchlines, catchy flow, sigel rides the beat along with veterin redman)

04 gotta have it ****
(club banger but more like a grimey hangout spot joint to rock to with a catchy hook and great flow with peedi crakk & twista just switching up styles in 3 verses)

05 don't stop ***1/2
(smash hit with great vocals by snoop dogg on the chorus & neptune production behind the track but no skateboarder here,
sigel keeps it gangsta saying he don't stop during his time in prison)

06 purple rain ***
(old school gangsta feel to the beat with a south coast twist with veterin "Bun B of UGK" great for when your high or drunk)

07 oh daddy *****
(behind every gangsta theres the pimp in him so sigel & young chris address the ladies there no time for them 24/7 when cashing the dollar)

08 change *****
(personal joint again with anchanting strings which help one excape reallity but brings you back with stories about making it out the ghetto and his hard times maintaining that lifes but losing love in the process. r&b vocals back and fort from a females and male perspective kinda like a arguement)


09 bread & butter *****
(real pimpish beanie rides the beat crazy disowning the gold diggers and just letting them know theres no you without me, along with veterin grand puba who proves he still got it.
superstar producer just blaze on boards)

10 lord have mercy *****
(heres the emontional release for beanie sigel with a real complex way of putting down whats going on in the world today and in his world of whats before him wanting to go to heaven. real personal track that can cause one to tear just to strengthen your emontions towards the end he pays respect to fallen artist like 2pac, notorious BIG & eazy-e)

11 flatline *****
(doesn't get more gangsta then this with a real montion picture dark vibe sound feeling to the beat. no movie here tho with sigel admiting his court cases and what he did to put him in prison. sigel vents he should've done more to his victim)

12 tales of a hustler *****
(to follow up the track before, the montion picture feeling grows with more massacre and gun play with flutes playing in the background that darkens the mood. sigels not alone this time oschino & sparks got guns too and they paint a clear picture of what happenes in the underworld of hustling)

13 look at me now *****
(sigel takes you on a trip from his up bringing to his present day letting you know what it took to become a man in the hood and everything nows the way he wanted it to be. r&b vocalist rell follows his flow with "look at me now" giving the beat a rocky montion picture feeling)

14 it's on *****
(sigel brings back the old school feeling with 5 minutes of lyricism and no chorus. legend Jay-Z along side him proving no one can mess with them or see them no matter how many records they sold because they have street credability to behind the lyrics)

15 wanted (on the run) *****
(great way to finish the album since the 1st track talks about the opposite, which is getting himself lock up now he talks about running and gives tips on how to avoid getting cought. cam'ron rides with sigel telling stories about what he went through hustling and he got beanies back. head banger with a rugged beat)

After being locked up and having all these alligations brought up, Beanie Sigel has really shown much improved on this album. That may be due to all these event occuring so there may more issues to discuss on record. Whatever the reason, Sigel shows why he's a force to be dealt with. Sigel also slowed things down with the mellowed out, ("Don't Stop") featuring the ever-slick "Snoop Dogg" and his duet with "Redman" on the cut ("One Shot Deal") is unforgettable, especially "Redman" who hasn't this good in years.

I agree with all the love the other reviewers showed my man Big Mack's third solo effort. But I must say that I'm soooooooo surprised none of you mentioned his best song: Track 11 Flatline. Man I've must have played it 20 times! Beanie is unreal in what he's spitting:

Fresh out the federal cases I got several
About four or five just had to settle two
They said I try to show a n#@%$@ what the metal do
But didn't succeed the N%$#* still breath

Man that's some amazing flow. He ends this section with a profound delineation of what he would have done to this guy if he really wanted to kill him:

Reduced work if you hit the spot
Lose the nurse someone get the doc'
Remove his shirt watch his pressure drop
Check his vital signs; he's hemorrhaging finish him
FLATLINE

Come on guys, this S#@$&* is tight!!!!

Get flatlined I'm the wrong one
Short temper with a long gun

And my boy Peedi comes off well too:

P crack'll test his aim on you
B mack just bang on you
Flesh just hang on you
And I don't know what u been told
But when my Mac unload
I'm guaranteed to turn a nigga cold

I'm not even going to mention how tight the hook is (rrring yea). I want everyone of you to go play this song again and tell me it's not the tightest jam of the year.

I also think the other collab with P.Crack and Twista is tight too. Beanie is the grittiest, grimiest rapper alive!!! He's Philly tough!!!!

I'm sorry but I have to defend this album from the likes of naysayers. In the age of commercial and often times, talentless hip-hop, this is a breath of fresh air. I can't explain how hard it is to gain my respect for an album. Sometimes I think my stand, hip-hop-wise, is way too selective. It takes a good producer and a good MC to made a classic such as Illmatic and Reasonable Doubt. However I have never been much of a fan of Jay-Z and his cohorts, but this album has won my respect. Rarely do I feel an obligation to defend an album, but when I do, you had better believe it is worth buying. Beanie Sigal has proven himself and his lyrical talents. I have more than enough reasons to buy this album, but they won't fit in this column. 5 stars, and may there be more intelligent rap to come

Inheriting the tag of franchise artist cannot be an easy task for any artist; now lets factor in the reality of accepting the franchise tag from living legend Jay-Z. "The B. Coming" is the first release off Damon Dash's label of the same name, and also the first post breakup, post Jay-Z release from the now defunct Roc-A-Fella umbrella. "The B. Coming" kicks off with the commercial yet street concious hit "Feel It In the Air" which features an all too attractive ear delight vocal backdrop by Melissa. One thing is for certain throughout this CD; the fast forward button will not be needed. Full of a bunch of laid back struggle then hustle tales over soulful mellow beats their are very few if any radio friendly hits besides "Don't Stop" with Snoop, but plenty of street ballads for the real Sigel fans. Grand Puba and Sadat X provide an unlikely compliment on the CD's out of the park hail mary slam dunk of a track "Bread and Butter" over a bass heavy Just Blaze signature beat. Buckwild delivers the heat on "Look At Me Now", while Sigel takes time to kick back and drop a few lines to contrast his childhoodto the point of his life and success of today. "It's On" featuring former labelmate Jay-Z leaves listeners and followers in a deep gasp; stuck on memories of the past Roc-A-Fella glory days. "The B. Coming" lacks the commercial swagger of past Roc-A-Fella (Jay-Z) CD's but none the less it will be forever solidified as a stellar hard core offering. Samples on 12 of the CD's 15 tracks take nothing away from the creativity exhibited throughout the album. If you've ever felt Bean's or Roc-A-Fella, this is an absolute must have, go pick it up now!