Customer Reviews

Death Threatz

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Compton legend MC Eiht followed his most successful release, 1994's classic We Come Strapped, with 1996's worthy successor "Death Threatz." Eiht was certainly on a roll during this period, and "Death Threatz" is another excellent album. Like We Come Strapped, it's labeled MC Eiht featuring CMW (Compton's Most Wanted's DJ Slip contributes much of the production, and the just-released Tha Chill appears a few times as well), and structurally it's a logical progression from its seminal predecessors. While a little funkier, Eiht sticks to his unsentimental tales of everyday life in the CPT, which by this point are familiar but still powerful with his raw passion, great flow and style. He lends significant time to guests, which was rare on earlier efforts. While no A-list names appear, he employs a group of all Compton natives including South Central Cartel and his N.O.T.R. crew that lends consistency in that they're always on his page. Even if Eiht doesn't cover much new territory on the lyrical tip, he comes harder than before and brings a top performance.

The beats here are fantastic and among the best he's ever seen. In addition to DJ Slip, some production is handled by S.C.C.'s underrated Prodeje and the similarly slept-on Blackjack. The classic elements of the CMW sound are here, with the swirling violins, slow-rolling funk, and laidback vibe, but they've been updated with a funkier, more upbeat approach and some more electronic elements. The highlights are marked by rich, irresistible soundscapes. If consistency is one of Eiht's strength, it might also be his Achilles' heel; at 72 minutes, it's definitely a little too long and can be monotonous, but it's so consistent that it's tough to point to anything that should have been left off.

If you take a look at the album titles, you pretty much know what you're in for (and that's not a bad thing). "Death Threatz" includes some of the best individual tracks of Eiht's discography, but it's so consistent it feels like one idea. He opens with the fourth installment of his DJ Quik diss series, "Def Wish IV (Tap That Azz)," a funky and menacing opener that's the most personal "Def Wish" yet, talking about encounters in CPT. The bouncy, serious "Ain't Nuthin' 2 It" is a classic, catchy and lyrically strong and one of the best tracks here, showcasing MC Eiht's signature sound executed to perfection. Other early highlights include the sinister "Thuggin' It Up," where the infamous Willie Z contributes an invaluable keyboard performance, and the best song is "Late Night Hype Pt. 2," a sunny, silky smooth classic with swirling violins, upbeat percussion, and one of Eiht's finest performances. The well-arranged "Set Trippin'," horn-laden "F Your Hood," and superb "You Can't See Me" are late standouts.

Some maintain that this is Eiht's best album, and even if it's not, it's a tough point to argue. It's really on the level of some of his best output, and even though it does sound a little familiar, that certainly says a lot. In any event, this is another great release from Eiht and CMW and one of the West Coast's best LPs of 1996, boasting smooth, hardcore, quality gangsta rap. Eiht's a pioneer of West Coast hip hop, and as one of the men who brought the music into its golden age, it's a joy to listen to this LP in light of all the other brilliance coming from California in '96. I strongly recommend that L.A. rap fans check out "Death Threatz."

MC Eiht and DJ Quik are probably the most interesting cats out of the mid 90s west coast rap scene. A beat ain't just a beat for either of them...it's art, it's music. It needs complexity, melody. And then, they stack their beats with some of the hardest gangsta themes ever recorded. Four letter words roll of Eiht's tongue like hello and goodbye. And Quik, well, if you don't know about his exploits with the ladies by now, you must be deaf. Interestingly enough, Eiht and Quik had a rivalry going on (Dollaz + Sense, Def Wish IV etc). I don't know much about what was going on streetwise but up in the recording studio, I think it has something to do with the fact that these two rappers understand MUSIC better than anyone else in the game. G-funkwise, Quik's the king of p-funk (talkbox, electric guitars, drums etc), while Eiht rules with 70s r&b/soul (slow laid back tempo, deep bass, melodic violins and instrumental solos).

Death Threatz is just another example of Eiht's distinctive style throughout his long career. This is gangsta rap at its best folks. Featuring 2 real classics, 3 near classics and solid g-funk era rap throughout, Eiht turns out another hit.

The first classic is Late Night Pt 2 and man is this song smooth. A west coast anthem for sure, Eiht recounts a night out gangbanging: "Unloads my strap like a real g should," "Stick the gat behind my back with an extra clip." The lyrics, as I said, are real hard. And yet, when put together with the music, the super funky and smooth bassline, drums and random percussions, it doesn't seem hard at all. This amazing contrast and contradiction is seen in much of gangsta/g-funk era rap but Quik and Eiht push the contrast even further. The "gangsta" is amped up, but not at the expense of the "funk." Both are amped up and brought to a new and confounding level. The second classic and one of my favorite rap songs of all time is "You Can't See Me" featuring Chill. Even smoother than Late Night, the beat is something out of Shaft or Dead Presidents (an homage to 70s soul). Here, the syncopated bass comes together with a fantastic set of strings in the background. The best part about this song, however, is the rolling drums, which bring a bluesy element to the whole thing. The last minute or so is just a classic instrumental solo. I dare anyone to find a more melodic beat in any genre. The sound created is beautiful, and yet, the lyrics, with a full dose of Eiht's trademark "g'yeahs," is hard, boastful, violent and menacing, like most gangsta rap. However, peep out the music video and listen carefully to the lyrics again. It's more complicated than that.

The near-classics are "Def Wish IV" where the tempo is sped up a bit but the funk remains. It's Eiht's comeback to Quik's diss, "Dollaz & Sense." I'll admit that Quik came hard lyrically on his diss but Eiht not only brings the rhymes but has a hard beat behind him. He even got Rob "Funksta" Bacon, Quik's faithful guitarist, to help tear him up with some hard instrumentals! Another gem, musically. "Ain't Nothin 2 It" slows things down a little and "Run 4 Life" which has a similar tempo, is also good.

G-funk era gangsta rap is not all simple. It's not just about the gangsta themes. Musically, Eiht turns out some of the best tracks in rap history...no joke. Haters should open their eyes and minds a little more. Pac, Eiht, Quik and other real gangsta rappers are saying something, both in their lyrics and in their musicality on the boards...Classic 5/5

"Death Threatz", "We Come Strapped" and "Music To Drive By" were Eiht's best albums. (Some of hiphop's best), you don't need super lyrics (not that his lyrics were bad) for a great gangster album, you just need to flow with incredible beats (found here), that's why I gave it 5 stars. Sadly this was and forever will be Eiht's last DOPE album. (unless he leaves hoo-banging)

Eiht's best album in my opinion. Harder beats than "we come strapped". Standout songs include "collect my stripez", "death wish IV", and "Thuggin it up". Scarcely a track that is below good and also free from annoying interludes. If you like MC Eiht this is a must buy.

this fool here talkin about a wacc album, man go home with that, eiht helped sculp gangsta rap. this albums isn't as good as we came strapped, but its still straight dope. i dont know how this kid can say that this is almost as bad as we came strapped when strapped was a classic! forget that fool, picc this up fo sho!

We comes strapped is a classic gangsta cd by far but this thing surpasses that. I like every song but one and that is the last one. The 96 was the last year west coast was on top of the rap game it also was there best year. The beats are chill and blend with 8 style but the lyrics are nothing but gangsta. I did not think he could top himself but he did. You have to own this cd I don't care what your into. Get We comes strapped and you'll be straight. Classic period. Also check Dru Down can you feel me. Peace

MC Eiht comes hard again. His hard rhymes combined with very deep, melodic g-funk beats make this one another one to shake your trunk. Be sure to check out South Central Cartel's Young Prod. on "Collect My Stripes;" that is one of the best songs on the c.d.

Back in '96, I believed alot of west coast artists were beginning to loose their steam. I found MC Eiht to be an exception with his second solo album, two years after his '94 album We Come Strapped. On that album, the production had a laid back type of sound. This album here carries a different vibe, production wise as it's as not laid back. Eiht really wastes no time starting off the album with part IV of his "Def Wish" series, aiming his lyrics towards his rival DJ Quik (To be honest, after I heard "Dollaz & Sense", I didn't think Eiht was going to respond as strong as he did here). He and his crew, N.O.T.R. gets on Quik again on the song "Killin' ******". "Ain't Nuttin' 2 It" and "Fucc 'Em All" are dope songs on this album as well. The latter song features Havikk from South Central Cartel doing the intro, and I think he produced that song as well. As I said before, the production is more upbeat, this his first solo album. Most of the songs on here were done by 1/2 Oz. which is Eiht and DJ Slip. The formula's they use on here hits more than misses, so thats good as well.

The album has it's misteps as well, more weighed towards the end. I find the tracks, "Collect My Stripes" and "Killin' Season" to be forgettable.

But overall Death Threatz is an excellent album for 1996. MC Eiht has shown improvement on the solo tip as a rapper. This album here moves in a different direction, than most west coast album that I've heard that came out that year, and Eiht still handles his business behind the mic without a problem. If you're a fan of west coast rap, I recommend that you check this out. Peace.

Lyrics: B+
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: B+
Musical Vibes: A-

Top 5 Favorite Tracks:
1. Ain't Nuttin' 2 It
2. Def Wish IV (Tap That A**)
3. F*** 'Em All (Featuring Havikk from SCC)
4. Killin' N***** (featuring N.O.T.R.)
5. Late Nite Hype Part 2

Honorable Mention:
1. Drugs & Killin

This is probably MC Eiht's second best of his 10 solo works (as of 11/04)(behind his 1999 classic - "Section 8")(not to mention he's part of 5 group albums). Eiht shows why he's been around since the late 80's as he never delivers a weak album worth less than 4 stars. A must have album. Guests are few and from his NOTR clique or from Comptons Most Wanted. Production is great on this one and is done by Eiht himself and DJ Slip and Prodeje of South Central Cartel. It has 2 classics, 2 great songs, 2 that are ok, and the other 9 are good songs. If only he got the airplay he deserves at least on the east coast (couldn't say for the west - much like Spice 1 or DJ Quik and many other Cali rappers) he'd have at least 10 million solo records sold and a bunch of platinum plaques.

#1 - 10 (classic dissin' DJ Quik)
#2 - 9
#3 - 9.5 (get's on Quik again f/ N.O.T.R.)
#4 - 8.5
#5 - 7.5 (slowed down track)
#6 - 9
#7 - 8.5 (f/ DaFoe)
#8 - 10 (classic track)
#9 - 7.5
#10 - 9 (f/ Boom Bam)
#11 - 9.5
#12 - 9
#13 - 8.5 (f/ Tha Chill)
#14 - 9
#15 - 9

b. Aaron Tyler - Compton, CA - around 1971
CPT All Day
Check all my reviews

This one comes close to MC Eiht's best album ever- his debut "We Come Strapped". On his second one, The Compton Psycho comes out with some real hardcore album, nuthin' but killin' and thuggin' on this one. The beats are great - made by Blackjack, Prodeje, DJ Slip and MC Eiht. Eiht raps with a lot of emotion and rage on this one and his story-telling talents are some of the best in the rap industry. You really get a vivid picture of life of a G in Comption. The necassary hard disses against his old rival (and once Blood Gang member) DJ Quik are included on a few songs... The album starts off amazing- the first 11 or 12 songs. But after that, I start getting tired, because in the last 4 or 5 songs, they just weren't creative enough with the beats. It still is one of the greatest gangsta rap albums of all time and anything Eiht did since, hasn't come even close to this one. If you're down with real hardcore, you should get it. No radio/MTV tracks on this one. :)