Checkmate [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

BG

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 21, 2000)
• Original Release Date: November 21, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Cash Money
• ASIN: B000050HO4
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #78,370 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A teenage heroin addict, B.G.'s always had stories to tell, dating back to his first album, True Story, which he recorded when he was just 11. Nevertheless, B.G. ascended to fame with "Bling Bling," a love song to ostentation that epitomized his label, Cash Money Records, at its peak: unchecked excess in lieu of dark thug anthems. Those were the good times, and there was nary a hater in sight. Apparently, times are getting harder 'round Cash Money Boulevard, as reflected by B.G.'s latest, Checkmate. Gone are the epic tales of jewelry and cars, the promises of helicopter rides and fellatio. As Cash Money president Bryan "Baby" Williams says on the album's intro: "This lil dude rap about sunflower seeds, and somebody got killed; he rapped about stunting, and somebody got killed; he rapped about babymamas, and somebody got killed." That said, here the Baby Gangsta gets back to doing the killing himself. On "Gun Slinger," over a wicked pan-flute arrangement, he promises to "bust hollows like Cupid bust arrows," leaving "your family grieving, saying 'Amazing Grace'." He's no kinder on "What's That Smell," warning, "When it come down to you and me, it won't be me." On "Bounce with Me," he even indicts the bling economy: "Tie your family up / They all on the floor, nigga / By all means, whatever it takes to get green, I do, 'cause I wanna bling." Even when he was celebrating excess, B.G. conveyed arrogance with an easy, slurred drawl. Back to recounting tales of the danger zone, his tenor evokes even more gravitas, which results in a set of songs that are compelling and occasionally downright scary. In Cash Money parlance, this album is a risk, and completely forsakes the formula that's earned the label hit upon hit. But perhaps the clique is prescient, merely the first to recognize that hip-hop's Platinum Age is coming to a close, and that the streets are as real as ever. --Jon Caramanica

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cash Money Is An Army, January 8, 2001

By	J. Highsmith (Mitchellville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

After hearing "Baller Blockin'" the soundtrack, I was interested to see how the next Cash Money CD was going to be like. People are already counting the days to their downfall, so I wanted to see what the Cash Money Millionaires were going to do next. "Checkmate" by B.G. is the first installment into what's next for Cash Money. His last CD, "Chopper City In The Ghetto" along with Juvenile's "400 Degreez" is what got Cash Money Records into the spotlight. Although, the baby gangsta still has the raw edge with his sound, Mannie Fresh's beats are structured differently this time. In my opinion, he's taking a big risk here because this is the first CD that hasn't followed the actual Cash Money sound that we are used to. The first single, "I Know" w/Lil Wayne, is no "Bling, Bling", but this song will satisfy the true Cash Money fan. B.G. still has the stories that we are use to as well. Songs like "Gun Slinger", "This N**** Die" and "Jungle" will remind you of the B.G. that we are accustomed to hearing. Other tracks worth hearing are "Change The World" w/The Hot Boys, "What's That Smell" w/Turk and "Hennessey and XTC" w/Big Tymers. Overall, this is a good CD. Diehard Cash Money fans may not like this CD as much as his last one because Mannie Fresh sounds like he is trying to be versatile with his beat selection. What I like about this release is that Cash Money Records isn't afraid to take a chance and be different. Many people believe that you should stick to the same formula and come out with the same material every go round but real artists are never afraid to take a chance. Also check out Lil Wayne's "Lights Out" and soon to be released CDs by Turk & The Hot Boys.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars B.G. Game Spitter (Checkmate), December 21, 2000

By	Jazzy Thug 2000 (Gramblin State University) - See all my reviews

B.G. is the best game spitter on the Cash Money team. His New album "Checkmate" is sure to get your game on lock. With new tracks like "I Know" with Lil Wayne, "XTC and Hennessey" with the Big Tymers for the club anthem, and "This Nigga Die" hard time song. but overall this Checkmate album is sure 100% game for you people out there that like Cash Money. Go and get this album right now!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars B.G. = Brilliance by the numbers, April 9, 2002

By	Christopher Wallace (London, England) - See all my reviews

Wow...can this fellow ever make the slightest mistake in any of his songs? To this very date, I just have to say no siree bob. This god of a musician tackles so so many issues, he reminds me of Bob Marley and John Lennon rolled into one amazing specimen. This album is no acception to the rule...The rule that you either listen to his albums and get blown away, or get out of the way. Better yet, if you can't stand the heat then get out of the kitchen. Not only will this album knock your socks off, it will help you put them back on and explain why it did it, in careful lyrical precision that is. Though all of the tracks will affect someone in one way or another the one that really tickles my funny bone is "Tyma talkin'". Can someone explain to me where this man got the incredible genius to write such a song? Not since Marley's "Redemption song" or Lennon's "Imagine" has their been such sheer magnificance in one track. Pick this up my friend, this will not dissapoint.