Ghetto Dictionary: The Art of War [Explicit Lyrics]

Bounty Killer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 28, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Vp Records
• ASIN: B0000633G9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #392,816 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars art of war, June 6, 2002

By 

Ethan Harris (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghetto Dictionary: The Art of War (Audio CD)

Great production here with mostly excellent rhythms and the voice you love. Fans seem happy after waiting 3 years and that is not always easy. An observation made about Beenie stated here who has said he has no problems with gays and lets them do their thing but also says he will shoot them when he sees them. Beenies fans have sure wondered about this for a while. All ragga fans will know by now that trash talking is nothing more than creating controversy which sells records. Unfortunately it doesn't say much for the depth of bounty's opinion about other subjects. With that aside the album rocks. Congrats Bounty.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best complete war album ever. . ., May 29, 2002

By 

Achis (Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghetto Dictionary: The Art of War (Audio CD)

(4.5 stars) The Art of War is Bounty Killer doing what he does best, calling out the best of his contemporaries and daring them to respond. When I say calling out his contemporaries, I mean it. Beenie Man and Merciless, of course, Baby Cham, Lexxus, Vegas, Gringo, Buju Banton (why, i don't know) even Sizzla and all Bobo Dreads for that matter, find themselves as the targets for Bounty's most accurate lyrical bullets. While he obviously places a great deal of his emphasis on Beenie against whom he's been warring on and off for the last decade, it Baby Cham who recieves the harshest of Bounty's disses throughout the album. Check Just Dead (formerly Just Dead Cham) and Likkle Dread Bwoy. Likkle Dread Bwoy is probably the best all-around track here, BK takes aim at Baby Cham, Lexxus, Vegas, Buju Banton (seemingly for no reason according to BK's website) and surprisingly Sizzla(who I admit is my favorite artist). I say surprisingly because VP chose to include this one on the album despite releasing 2 Sizzla albums this year alone and at least one a year since '98. Another good cut here is the excellent Warlord Nuh Business on which, he agains fires at the usual suspects, but in truly fine lyrics and to an excellent riddim. Also check Which One, Look Good the counteraction to Beenie Man, the fantastic Sumfest and the All Out War remix. The only complaint I have for this one is on 20 tracks of the same type of music after a while, the last few tracks seem a bit monotonous. I have to give BK credit however for practicing what he preaches as he mainly manages to stay away from hip-hop and offer a completely dancehall album.
Overall, I say that despite being a truly Jamaican album and maybe hard to understand for pure English speakers, I say that hip-hop fans can probably like this one, Bounty Killer fans, obviously this is one for you, or if like me you like to hear master Dj's clashing on a world-class level. Can't wait for Warhead's album of the same nature.

p.s. Bigup VPRecords for adding a "Parental Advisory" label instead of choosing to edit the album.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An open declaration of war, April 8, 2003

By 

3rdeadly3rd (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghetto Dictionary: The Art of War (Audio CD)

The first instalment in Bounty Killer's "Ghetto Dictionary" series features the ever-controversial DJ in battle mode, as the title suggests. Essentially, the 20 tracks here are Bounty Killer insulting, parodying and generally being verbally nasty toward his enemies. And who are his enemies? Basically every single other DJ. Aside from his well-documented feud with Beenie Man (each accuses the other of stealing his style), Bounty delivers challenges to Buju Banton, Baby Cham, Merciless, Lexxus and many others.

Musically, this album is standard dancehall fare. The most popular riddims (beats, for those who don't know the slang) all make appearances either here or on the companion disc "The Mystery". The only variety is provided by the appearance of dancehall quartet TOK on "Man Ah Bad Man The Sequel" - a payback for Bounty Killer's work on their debut.

As with much contemporary dancehall, the lyrics are where this album stands or falls. As befits one of the leaders of the style, Bounty Killer is on the top of his game here. Given the subject matter, he has to be. For those unfamiliar with the practice of "sound clashes", think along the lines of the "dis wars" in hip-hop only much faster and more creatively delivered.

Bounty Killer's style over much of "The Art Of War" can only be described as borderline insane. He is able to hold a beat with metronomic efficiency, however the most striking moments are when he makes his falsetto exclamations of "that's right" and other slogans. The unpredictable arrival of these moments is simultaneously disconcerting and a joy to listen to.

One of the most striking tracks here is "Warlord Nuh Business". This track is nothing more nor less than a shopping list of insults delivered at every single DJ within firing range, led by the line "Mi nuh business". The sheer audacity of this approach will leave the listener - or at least the listener capable of translating the rapid-fire patois - shocked.
The other standout is "Look Good". Beginning with a long spoken-word introduction, Bounty Killer systematically exposes Beenie Man's hypocrisy towards homosexuals, while insinuating that Beenie is homosexual himself. Added into this is a reference to Bounty Killer's own experiences recording with No Doubt (he provides backing vocals and a verse on "Hey Baby"). The creativity of the rhyme scheme here is carried over to the toast itself, more insults directed at Beenie.

For the dancehall neophyte, this is probably not the place to start. While it is a great example (arguably the definitive example) of this style of toasting, "Art Of War" and its battle toasts are not the most accessible element of dancehall. Many listeners will also be offended by the rampant homophobia on this album - a common criticism of dancehall as a genre, but particularly in the battle toasts. For the listener who wants the Bounty Killer experience, "The Mystery" is probably a better place to look. For those who are prepared to look past these drawbacks, this recording is highly recommended.