Customer Reviews

Brooklyn's Don Diva

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

 

 

Having been gone for 7 years, Foxy Brown had so much to prove with this album. Many regarded her last album, 'Broken Silence', as a hiphop/dancehall masterpiece. At the time, not only was Foxy Brown the hottest girl in the game, but she was also the rawest, and easily the most honest. It wasn't even hyperbole when she said, "basically, I'm the female 'Pac". So naturally, expectations were high, and finally, we got 'Brooklyn's Don Diva'.

The first thing I noticed about this album, was how unformed and sloppy it was. The title track, which is meant to announce Foxy Brown's return, has a beat so forgettable that, surely, it was only intended for use as a b-side. Foxy's lyrics aren't anything devastating either. The production on the next few tracks strives to be ominous and theatrical, but ends up just sounding dated (actually, it's hard to slot these beats into ANY era in rap), and the rhymes are just your standard gloating fare. Foxy sounds uninspired, and, what's worse, her voice is a little squeaky (this, one can only guess, is because of her recent struggle with hearing loss). I did however enjoy Mavado's chorus on 'We're On Fire', and 'Dreams of F**king a D-Boy' is just as street as it wants to be.

Things only start to get interesting come 'When the Lights Go Out'. It's funky, explicitly sexual, and loads of fun. The attitude conveyed is classic Foxy Brown, and with the right promotion, this song could be a big hit. 'Too Real' is great also, as is 'Star Cry'. The latter song is beautiful; an organic continuation of the confessional songwriting Foxy started on her last album. It's an intriguing mixture of vulnerability and strength. My personal favourite song on this album however, is 'Why'. It addresses a cheating lover of three years, and tells an interesting tale of Foxy 'upgrading' a loser guy, only to have him take advantage of her generosity, and pursue other women. Every woman, and perhaps men also, will relate to the honesty of this song. Cheating may be a familiar theme in hiphop, but this is such a vivid, articulate take on it. It's also an interesting song musically -- it has a vintage reggae flavour. 'The Quan', which features dancehall queen Lady Saw, is another terrific, well-executed track. It's bass-heavy, dance-worthy, and it easily stands out against the mediocre production of so many of the other tracks.

Still, it must be said. Even at their best, none of the dancehall tracks here are as infectious as 'Tables Will Turn' from the Broken Silence days. Grotesquely, 'She Want a Rude Bwoy', recycles the lyrics of 'Dreams of F**king a D-Boy'. This confused me, until I read about Foxy's displeasure with this album being released by her manager (now ex-manager as I understand it), without her consultation or consent, while she was in jail. So now you know why this album seems so haphazardly assembled. There are flashes of brilliance here and there, as I've said, but ultimately this album just feels half-baked. It also seems aloof to current trends in hiphop, which is both a blessing and a curse. It's cool that Foxy didn't just give T-Pain, or Plies (or whoever's 'hot' for two minutes) a call and ask them to feature just so she could sell, and it's very cool to hear her in the dancehall element in which she is obviously so comfortable. But the production on most of these tracks just sounds weird and incongruous in 2008, but as I've said, I don't know WHAT era is being channelled, if any.

Foxy Brown herself is truly fascinating. Her volatility, the controversy she courts, her intelligence, sex appeal, and considerable skill as a rapper. But you have to already be on board with the Foxy story to appreciate this curious entry into her discography. Obviously, it's hard to fully support this album knowing that it wasn't what Foxy herself intended. If you're looking for an introduction to Foxy, skip this, and check out the much more accomplished Broken Silence album.

I so badly wanted to love this CD but, I barely like it.I have loved Foxy since day one and own all of her CD's. I waited forever for this release to come out just to be disappointed. It's not all horrible but, most of it is. Foxy still has good rhymes and a huge presence but, it is lacking. It is lacking in the production. Almost all the songs sound the same and have very similar beats that make it hard to know when a new song has come on.

Another thing that bugs me with this CD is her constantly referencing her hearing problem. That subject shows up in about 3 or 4 songs. We get it.

Maybe it would have gotten a bigger boost and grabbed my attention more if she would have gotten a few mainstream producers on it to add that extra "uuummmmphhh" to the songs. It needs that boost.

There are a few "ok" songs on here but, I strongly urge a good sampling of this release before you purchase it.

~~~JAC 08'

This album was a BIG disappointment... She has always MADE amazing music but it's like this album lacks the creativity side of Ms. Brown! I know it was a RUSHED album so I won't blame INGA as she was locked away @ Rikers Island... HOWEVER, she still has it... I hope she comes out with new music for the upcoming year!

I haven't been able to stop playing this album. I'm a big fan of Foxy Brown, and it has been a long time coming since she released her last album. Though regarded as a "mixtape/street album" people will still associate this with an album since it had a commercial release. Due to Foxy's incarceration last year, Foxy wasn't able to fully promote this album. When she was released, she wasn't too happy with the final product. That sucks! I like the album! Though its not by any means my favorite album but it knocks regardless. Casual fans of Foxy won't understand this release if they haven't followed Fox like longtime fans. I would definitely say this album is worth checking out for what its worth. It's not everyday we get any type of album for a female rapper. My hats off to Foxy for keeping female rap alive.

Favorite/Recommended Tracks:
"Never Heard This Before"
"Too Real"
"Dreams..."
"Star Cry"
"Why"

This album would have been great if she would have dropped in 07'. I am a die hard foxy brown fan but I gottA KEEP IT REAL ON THIS ONE. Half of the album tracks I heard already, they sound dated. However, foxy is still da best female rapper hands down, and I still went out and copped 2 if these.(Made every gansta want a dark skin b*tch!) "Too Real" just describes her to a T!

I hope this is the last we hear from foxy her best cd was ill nana since then she made more wack songs she was on drugs she tried to kill herself don't no man want her otgher rap chicks like queenpen and jacki o wooped her plus she beefed with lil kim, and eve and cried over jay z dropping her for years now she can't stay out of the pen she miss her girlfriends you know anyway her time was 96 a shame pimp c died last year and we still have foxy brown.

The best CD ever by Foxy!!!! I love it! I liked "The Naked Truth" by Kim but this tops it by far!!! Foxy is the only female who raps so smooth. I play it continously in my truck and I am anxiously awaiting "Black Roses!"

This album was highly anticipated and is one of the best I have heard this year it's solid, very good beats and lyrics, very well rounded. I'm glad Foxy did go independent route. The Majors don't know what they missing!!, she is still one of the major players today in the rap game and strongest MC's out there. Do your thang and keep pushing, hope you next album is even hotter than this one!.

RAP SUPREME QUEEN
FOXY BROWN HAS NOT LOST HER TOUCH! AFTER BEING GONE FOR 6 YEARS THE ILL NA NA, FIRMED LYRICAL SISTA IS BACK WITH DON DIVA AND SHE FAILS NOT TO DELIVER. STILL GIVEN INTENSED LYRICS VERSE BY VERSE, THAT KEEPS THE EARS HOLDING ON TO EACH VERSE WHILE THE MIND WONDERS WHAT IS COMING NEXT.
THE ALBUM IS A TITE 4 BUT NOT LACKING. A 5 WOULD BE GIVEN IF NOT SO MANY GUESS APPEARANCES BUT THE ALBUM STILL IS DONE WITH SERIOUS JUSTICE TO THE TITLE BROOKLYN DON DIVA.

KEEP UM PUMPIN FOX
FOR THERE IS NOT AN BETTER LYRICAL GIVEN FEMALE RAP ARTIST AS YOURSELF.

MUCH LUV
TO U FOX
MELCHISEDEC

It's been quite a long time since Fox Boggie released a new cd. I believe close to six years since her last one Broken Silence.

Now its 2008 and she's released Brooklyn's Don Diva. As the title suggests she's staking claim to representing Brooklyn. While this release isn't 5 star material minus a couple songs. Foxy does it well throughout the cd on her own on "Brooklyn's Don Diva" or mixing it up with reggae superstar Lady Saw on "The Quan". Also there's a hip hop mix of this song as the closer to the cd. I actually preferred that one to the original, but there's not a huge difference between the two.

Also of note are the tracks "Star Cry" which has a personal feel to it about her life in the spotlight and how things going on affect her personal life and so on. It's pretty cool also "Never Heard This Before" finds Foxy coming off with the toughness she's known for in her songs. The cd is more featured artists than Foxy by herself, but at the same time. The featured artists on the cd don't overshadow her at all.

Like it does for artists sometimes. I think the fact that she has a lot to write about and what she's been through some things her fault and what not. But she writes on every song on the cd.

Also enjoyed "When The Lights Go Out" feat. Kira and Bulletproof Love/One Love feat. Lil' Mo those are probably my favorites track on the cd overall. But closing out "Brooklyn's Don Diva" its a solid release for Foxy Brown who's definetely back in the rap game and she states she isn't going anywhere.

For fans old or new of will find this one a release worthy of more than a few listens.