Customer Reviews

Brace 4 Impak [Vinyl]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This album is one of the hottest joints I've heard all year. Da Beatminerz are definitely some of the best producers around today because their sound is original, creative, and innovative and it is completely different from any other producer that's out right now. This is displayed throughout the entire album. Some standouts include the Dancehall-styled "Extreme Situation" with the Cocoa Brovaz, the neck snapping "Take That" with the Flipmode Squad, "Shut Da F**K Up" with the impressive underground duo of female MCs Apani B. Fly and Jean Grae, "Thug Love" with Naughty By Nature, and "Ghetto 2 Ghetto" with new comers, Tefelar and Cordell. Overall, Brace 4 Impak doesn't have one bad song on it, in fact all 16 are dope, which makes this album one of the best compilations to drop in a long time.

1. Intro - 4/5
2. Devastatin'.....That's Us! -4.5/5
3. Hell Yeah, Oh Yeah - 5/5
4. Hustler's Theme - 3.5/5
5. Bentleys & Bitches - 4/5
6. Best At That - 5/5
7. Extreme Situation - 4/5
8. Open - 4/5
9. Take That - 5/5 (HARD!!)
10. Drama - 4.5/5
11. The Anti-Love Movement - 3.5/5
12. How We Ride - 4/5
13. Shut Da F@#k Up! - 5/5
14. Thug Love - 4.5/5
15. Let's Talk About It - 3.5/5
16. Ghetto 2 Ghetto - 3.5/5

Brace 4 Impak is a compilation by a production crew. Da Beat Minerz members are Evil Dee (of Black Moon), Mr. Walt, Baby Paul, Rich Blak and Chocolate Ty. A majority of the album consists of East Coast rappers/emcees with the exception of the standout "Bentlys & Bitches" by San Diego, California's Jayo Felony & Carson, California's Ras Kass. The opening "Live & Direct/Brace 4 Impak" by lyricists Lord Tariq & Royce Da 5'9 is a bullseye. "Devastatin'....That's Us!" features the fierce lyrics of Buckshot and Flipmode Squad's member Lord Have Mercy. The almost/influenced DJ Premier track "Drama" is the only Chocolate Ty track and it's an East Coast banger. Brother's Mr. Walt & Evil Dee produced a heat seaking, reggae, bounce track "Extreme Situation" by Cocoa Brovas (Smif-N-Wessun) & Blackhearted Skavangers. There are two r&b, commercial tracks, "Open" and "The Anti-Love Movement", that could have done well on radio. Maybe they could have collaborated to produce more of the track that came off as fillers. As said by the Flipmode Squad, "Take That".

This album is one of the hottest joints I've heard all year. Da Beatminerz are definitely some of the best producers around today because their sound is original, creative, and innovative and it is completely different from any other producer that's out right now. This is displayed throughout the entire album. Some standouts include the Dancehall-styled "Extreme Situation" with the Cocoa Brovaz, the neck snapping "Take That" with the Flipmode Squad, "Shut Da F**K Up" with the impressive underground duo of female MCs Apani B. Fly and Jean Grae, "Thug Love" with Naughty By Nature, and "Ghetto 2 Ghetto" with new comers, Tefelar and Cordell. Overall, Brace 4 Impak doesn't have one bad song on it, in fact all 16 are dope, which makes this album one of the best compilations to drop in a long time.

This album is one of the hottest joints I've heard all year. Da Beatminerz are definitely some of the best producers around today because their sound is original, creative, and innovative and it is completely different from any other producer that's out right now. This is displayed throughout the entire album. Some standouts include the Dancehall-styled "Extreme Situation" with the Cocoa Brovaz, the neck snapping "Take That" with the Flipmode Squad, "Shut Da F**K Up" with the impressive underground duo of female MCs Apani B. Fly and Jean Grae, "Thug Love" with Naughty By Nature, and "Ghetto 2 Ghetto" with new comers, Tefelar and Cordell. Overall, Brace 4 Impak doesn't have one bad song on it, in fact all 16 are dope, which makes this album one of the best compilations to drop in a long time.

This album is one of the hottest joints I've heard all year. Da Beatminerz are definitely some of the best producers around today because their sound is original, creative, and innovative and it is completely different from any other producer that's out right now. This is displayed throughout the entire album. Some standouts include the Dancehall-styled "Extreme Situation" with the Cocoa Brovaz, the neck snapping "Take That" with the Flipmode Squad, "Shut Da F**K Up" with the impressive underground duo of female MCs Apani B. Fly and Jean Grae, "Thug Love" with Naughty By Nature, and "Ghetto 2 Ghetto" with new comers, Tefelar and Cordell. Overall, Brace 4 Impak doesn't have one bad song on it, in fact all 16 are dope, which makes this album one of the best compilations to drop in a long time.

The Beatminerz bring that underground vibe that missing in today's commercial hip hop. Dj Evil Dee and his brother Mr Walt carry most of the load. Assists are given to Baby Paul, Rich Blak, and Chocolate Ty. Dope songs include: "Open" by Caron Wheeler & Dj/Rapper Pete Rock, "Extreme Situation" by The Cocoa Brovaz & Blackhearted Skavangers, "Devastating" by Black Moon & Lord Have Mercy, "Thug Love" by Naughty By Nature, "The Anti-love Movement" by Talib Kweli & Total, and "Shut Da F*#K Up" by a very skilled female crew called "Apani B. Fly & What What. The hottest joint is produced by Chocolate Ty called "Drama" by Shades Of Brooklyn. My neck is still hurting from rockin' this cut. This is hardcore underground hip hop at its best. Its being slept on for some reason. Cats need to wake up. This is hot Yo!

You would think Da Beatminerz would have stashed away some production gems for their first official release Brace 4 Impact. Wrong! If you buy this album you better Brace 4 DISAPPOINTMENT. I'm a big fan of Walt and Evil D and just don't understand what they were trying to accomplish with this album. Sure the guest appearances might capture your interest (like they did mine), but don't be mislead by this poorly put together album. The Diamond D track is aiight, the Flip Mode Squad track is eh, and the only track I found worth checking was Talib Kweli's joint. If you are looking for music that resembles their earlier production days(Black Moon's Enta Da Stage or Smiff N Wessun's Da Shining), don't even bother with this album.

A lot of cats thought this album was wack. It's just different... as in, the Enta Da Stage and Da Shinnin days are over. You can still hear that grimy and grungy sound that is signature Beatminerz, but it's just a little more updated. I think the main issue regarding this project has to do with when it was released and where Rawkus was at the moment. This was when Rawkus was starting to have the larger corporate cats dictate and manipulate how "indie" hip hop was to sound. (aka make it more marketable to mainstream audiences) From what I've read in articles it sounded like the higher ups were wanting the LP to deliver something that wasn't as rugged, underground or "backpack." In a way you can hear how, it's cleaned up a bit, but still maintains it's dirty edge. This is probably why Rawkus/MCA couldn't find a "single" to push the album and why it just sort of arrived in stores without much promotion.

Regardless, it's still a solid release... it's more akin to the newer Black Moon stuff. (which is dope... just different) I remember when War Zone Dropped, at 1st I thought it was wack, just because it wasn't "Enta Da Stage." Now looking back, that LP is doper that a most ish that's coming out these days. (so... forget about it) This is basically where this LP fits. If I probably heard this back when I was in high school I most likely would have thought it was "meeh," but compared to the current offerings in hip hop... this ish is solid.

The Beat Minerz are constantly under the radar and are far from commercial; however, their talent and knack for finding rare material is their greatest legacy in the underground Hip Hop scene. A stark contrast to the Neptunes, another famed Hip Hop production team, the Beat Minerz stray away from all things pop and cliche and focus their energies on creating an authentic Hip Hop sound.

Whether it's their hard-hitting basslines, DJ Evil Dee's scratches or a really cool sample they infuse, the Beat Minerz are consistent with bringing their unique sound to the masses. Their artistic credibility adds to their appeal; it also helped them to recruit artists such as Pete Rock, Royce Da 5'9 and Busta Rhymes to participate on the project. The additional production by Chocolate Ty, Rich Blak and Baby Paul helps add new flavor as well.

What is most noteworthy is that the Beat Minerz are not afraid to experiment and take risks. "Open" is an R&B track that features both Pete Rock and UK crooner Caron Wheeler (formerly of Soul2Soul). Considering their notoriety for working making the grittiest, yet melodic music, "Open" was an unexpected addition to the album. Another inventive track is "Ghetto 2 Ghetto," which is inspired by the music from pioneering Hip Hop film Wild Style; however, rather than simply copy and paste, the updated production brings the track to the new millennium without causing it to lose its essence. Lastly, Naughty By Nature's "Thug Love" reinvents a sample used by Kool G Rap for his hit "My Life." Again, the revamped sample introduces a new sound, but while keeping its historical context.

The interludes/skits are sometimes entertaining and they provide a welcome shift between songs; however, they don't always effectively connect the songs to each other. While the interludes/skits often help to introduce the songs, some are randomly placed and disjointed from the album's core. Still, this doesn't hurt the overall quality of the project. The Beat Minerz' beats hit so hard, the album's title is completely relevant. Of course, many fans will want the Beat Minerz to keep pushing "more of the same," but this will only stifle their creative edge. If you're a listener who wants only a "Who Got Da Props" (Black Moon) sound, this album isn't for you. Although, if you're a listener who wants to hear something eclectic that is still rugged Hip Hop, this is right up your alley.