Customer Reviews

The Death of Tragedy

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Tragedy Khadafi's (A.K.A. Percy Chapman) latest album is "The Death of Tragedy" (2007) a short seventeen track release which features production from Havoc, Scram Jones, Betrayal, GQ Beats, Now & Laterz, Crack Val, Alchemist & 4th Disciple. The veteran Queensbridge MC provides an album for the streets, often reppin his record label 25 To Life Records. On the album's brief opener "G-Formation", Khadafi reps himself, and talks about the life he has led. Tragedy Khadafi follows it up with the blazing hot "The Truest", delivering some memorable verses backed by some distinct production from Scram Jones. Tragedy then puts his heart out on the introspective "I Am The Streets" recalling his past, this is a gripping track which ends to soon. "Murder by Numbers" is a grimy street story, while "Crime Legacy" is a short interlude. Tragedy rhymes over some familiar production from Scram Jones on "Sole Death Brothers", then talks about the feds and racism on the brief "Militant Mind State". Tragedy's brother Christ Castro drops in for a thugged out track in "Ryder Music", while repping himself on "Emaculate G's". Tragedy Khadafi reps himself painting some real life pictures on "Intimate Vision", which is followed up by one of the album's most creative track's in "Dejavu". Tragedy tells the story of a gun and it's travels, backed by some laidback production from Now & Laterz. Tragedy talks about hardships and betrayl he has faced on another standout in "If You Don't Know". Tragedy reps "25 To Life" on the album's longest track (which is not very long at all). Tragedy delivers some quotables on "Elbouhio of Death", then rhymes over Alchemist's sole contribution to this release "Milk Murder" (Tribute). A 12 second skit leads up the album's closer the solid "Mind State" feat. Killa Sha. I think this release is a step up from some of his mixtape material which has come out in recent years, at the same time I feel the same as the other reviewer, this album could have used more material. Overall "The Death of Tragedy" is a decent release, which should keep Khadafi's fan's satisfied for some time.

I'll keep this short and sweet the way most people probably like to get their reviews. The album's content is tight, definitely the work we loyal fans have come to expect from Tragedy...however; my biggest beef with this so called "album" is the fact that it felt like I was listening to a bunch of snippets of the songs...only 6 tracks clock over 3 minutes...16 tracks and only 36 minutes of music. In my opinion, this is not worth the money. Next time he should wait until he can afford to pay for full songs before compiling something so sad.

The death of tragedy. Hmmmm how can I describe this album. It's like G-unit before they signed with Em and with better lyrics. The album is definitely enjoyable but it is definitely too short. Just when your getting into a particular track it seems to end. It just leaves you wanting more. Worth owning though. Pick it up, support the underground.

Tragedy Khadafi's fifth album "The Death of Tragedy" comes a full four years since his last effort (his last three releases, Thug Matrix, Blood Ballads, and Thug Matrix 2 were all mixes/compilations). "The Death of Tragedy" really picks up right where Against All Odds and Still Reportin' left off. I've always found Tragedy Khadafi to be a very engaging MC, because he pours so much passion and emotion into his deep verses. From his days as Intelligent Hoodlum in the Juice Crew to his latter day Queensbridge narratives, he is dramatic and compelling at his best. Trag doesn't really bring much new to the table compared to his last efforts, but hearing more great music from him is certainly refreshing. His stories and narratives have lost none of their luster. The production is also familiar, a distinctly Queensbridge musical sound similar to the style Cormega, Capone-N-Noreaga, and Mobb Deep favor.

The only problem I really have with this album is the lack of material. While there are seventeen tracks, ten of them clock in at two minutes or less. It's an interesting format, and most of these songs are just one verse and out. They can make for quick, to the point, and effective songs, but with so many of them and only six or seven actual full-length songs, I was left gasping for more.

Following a short Havoc-produced intro, "G-Formation," with one dope verse, the album starts with "The Truest." I am really liking Scram Jones's production on this song, the guitars and pounding bass make for a great backdrop over which Tragedy drops some great verses. He raps about his love for rap and contributions to the game despite adversity. "I Am the Streets" is deep and passionate, and I like the production, but at just over a minute, I wish it was much longer. "Murder By Numbers" is a two-minute collabo, fine but a little forgettable. "Crime Legacy" is excellent...for its full 44 seconds. "Sole Dead Brothers" jacks the beat from the Run-DMC classic "Beats to the Rhyme." This song contains one of his finest performances, Tragedy's frenetic getaway tale is gripping. "Militant Mind State" barely clocks in at one minute, with one verse, and precedes "Ryder Musik." I like the tasteful production on this song, it's a solid cut. "Emaculate G's" is an okay collabo, and "Intimate Vision" is another sub-one-minute track with an awesome beat from GQ Beats. Trag's verse here is among the nicest on the album. "Dejavu" is one of the strongest points on the album. On rare ocassions in the past, Trag has shown himself quite capable of putting down a great love song, and this is one of those times. The breezy production is great and his lyrics are personal. The angry "If You Don't Know" is another short track, then comes "25 to Life." This song has a cool electronic styled beat, it's a good posse cut featuring his 25 crew. Haters are shut down on another one-verse track, "Elbouhio of Death," and on "Milk Murder (Tribute)," the Alchemist lends a boring beat for a decent track that's not very memorable. The disc closes on a good note, the Killa Sha collabo "Mind State."

"The Death of Tragedy" doesn't break any new ground for the Foul Mahdi, but it's another solid album of his signature product. I went to four retailers this week, none of which carried this album, until I finally settled with buying it on iTunes. There's no promo behind it, and it really dropped without a whisper, but his small yet dedicated legion of fans are sure to enjoy it just the same.

Trage has always been one of my favourite QB emcees. To date his most conceptual and complete album has been "Still Reportin'". "The Death of Tragedy" has some ill joints on it like "G-Formation", "Ryder Music", "Intimate Vision", and "Mindstate". Also some real sleepers like "Sole Dead Brother" and "Emaculate G's" . Frankly I was expecting more from him considering the high note he left off on with "Still Reportin". This album is only 33 mins long. I was left thinking like "is this a mixtape?". Most of the songs are rushed and too short. 1 verse long, no room to let the beat play out or nuthin. It just seems like Trage slapped together this album to get some kind of quick loot coming in to pay rent. That's a foul way to do it because it's dangerous. He's playing with his credibility as an artist. Every album should be a banger and like BIG said, treat every project like your first one. Either way, this album is ok, but definately not his best work. For God's sake even the photography is trash. It's like he got his homeboy's $5 camera and told him to shoot. I say this because I'm album artwork designer myself and Tragedy is slackin on his attention to detail on this one.

Almost 2 years since his last album, Tragedy returns with his 6th solo album (that I know of), he has a few Compilation/mixtape-like albums that were thrown together over the past few years, since the mid 1980's when he was just a teen rapping with Hot Day and them Marley Marl. Like the other reviewer said, it has 16 songs, but only about 35 minutes, as half the songs are only 1 verse at 50 seconds to a minute and a half long. Guests are on 6 songs (1 Tragedy isn't on). Of the 16 songs, 1 is a classic, 4 are ok, 2 are almost classics, the other 9 are good, a few being real good. Production is nice as well. GQ Beats does 5 songs, Now & Laterz do 4, Scram Jones does 2, Alchemist, Havoc, Betrayal, 4th Disciple and Crack Val all do 1 songs. Like always he has some street songs and some deeper thought provaoking ones, and a ncie album for his fans, just wish some of the songs were longer.

#1 - 9 (tight beat)
#2 - 9.5 (another nice beat)
#3 - 6.5
#4 - 8 (f/ Headrush Napoleon)
#5 - 9.5 (tight beat)
#6 - 9 (f/ Christ Castro & ??? -- good beat)
#7 - 9(nice beat)
#8 - 8.5
#9 - 7.5 (f/ Solomon CHilds)
#10 - 9 (good beat)
#11 - 10 (CLASSIC -- deeper soing about hip-hop thru the years)
#12 - 8
#13 - 7 (f/ Headrush Napoleon & Angel Dust)
#14 - 7.5
#15 - 8 (Headrush Napoleon solo)
#17 - 8 (f/ Killah Shah)

Percy L. Chapman -- b. 8/13/71 -- Queensbridge, NY
Check all my reviews

Tragedy Khadafi's fifth album "The Death of Tragedy" comes a full four years since his last effort (his last three releases, Thug Matrix, Blood Ballads, and Thug Matrix 2 were all mixes/compilations). "The Death of Tragedy" really picks up right where Against All Odds and Still Reportin' left off. I've always found Tragedy Khadafi to be a very engaging MC, because he pours so much passion and emotion into his deep verses. From his days as Intelligent Hoodlum in the Juice Crew to his latter day Queensbridge narratives, he is dramatic and compelling at his best. Trag doesn't really bring much new to the table compared to his last efforts, but hearing more great music from him is certainly refreshing. His stories and narratives have lost none of their luster. The production is also familiar, a distinctly Queensbridge musical sound similar to the style Cormega, Capone-N-Noreaga, and Mobb Deep favor.

The only problem I really have with this album is the lack of material. While there are seventeen tracks, ten of them clock in at two minutes or less. It's an interesting format, and most of these songs are just one verse and out. They can make for quick, to the point, and effective songs, but with so many of them and only six or seven actual full-length songs, I was left gasping for more.

Following a short Havoc-produced intro, "G-Formation," with one dope verse, the album starts with "The Truest." I am really liking Scram Jones's production on this song, the guitars and pounding bass make for a great backdrop over which Tragedy drops some great verses. He raps about his love for rap and contributions to the game despite adversity. "I Am the Streets" is deep and passionate, and I like the production, but at just over a minute, I wish it was much longer. "Murder By Numbers" is a two-minute collabo, fine but a little forgettable. "Crime Legacy" is excellent...for its full 44 seconds. "Sole Dead Brothers" jacks the beat from the Run-DMC classic "Beats to the Rhyme." This song contains one of his finest performances, Tragedy's frenetic getaway tale is gripping. "Militant Mind State" barely clocks in at one minute, with one verse, and precedes "Ryder Musik." I like the tasteful production on this song, it's a solid cut. "Emaculate G's" is an okay collabo, and "Intimate Vision" is another sub-one-minute track with an awesome beat from GQ Beats. Trag's verse here is among the nicest on the album. "Dejavu" is one of the strongest points on the album. On rare ocassions in the past, Trag has shown himself quite capable of putting down a great love song, and this is one of those times. The breezy production is great and his lyrics are personal. The angry "If You Don't Know" is another short track, then comes "25 to Life." This song has a cool electronic styled beat, it's a good posse cut featuring his 25 crew. Haters are shut down on another one-verse track, "Elbouhio of Death," and on "Milk Murder (Tribute)," the Alchemist lends a boring beat for a decent track that's not very memorable. The disc closes on a good note, the Killa Sha collabo "Mind State."

"The Death of Tragedy" doesn't break any new ground for the Foul Mahdi, but it's another solid album of his signature product. I went to four retailers this week, none of which carried this album, until I finally settled with buying it on iTunes. There's no promo behind it, and it really dropped without a whisper, but his small yet dedicated legion of fans are sure to enjoy it just the same.

I gave this a four star rating based on the fact that the album is so short. If it would have just had more verses. A lot of the trax are only a minute and a half and the longest track clocks in just over 3 minutes. Tragedy is on it as far as his verses are concerned. Overall I feel this album just need to be longer. But great release, the beats and the verses are well done.