Customer Reviews

Ghetto Dictionary: The Art of War

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

(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.

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.

I've been really taken into the dancehall music since 1998 and I must say one of if not the best entertainers out there is the poor peoples govenor BOUNTY KILLER. And it is definetly proven with this cd. His voice alone demands attention and the seriousness in which he delivers his lyrics is phenominal. There is not one single person in Jamaica that can compete with this cd nor deliver one such as this with the same determination as he has done. I love this cd, and those are not words thrown around loosely.

RESPECT
M. MILLER
BROOKLYN,N.Y.

Ghetto Dictionary: The Art of War is a superb release. From beginning to end, the Warlord spits wicked lyrics like an AK with unlimited rounds. He dismantles his rival deejays with such ruthless aggression, that when the smoke clears, there is no man left standing. Personally, I love the entire album, but if I had to choose, my favorite tracks are: "Killa is a Killa," "Warlord Nuh Business," the hard-hitting "Stainless," the relentless Beenie Man diss "Look Good," "Which One," "Likkle Dread Bwoy" where he takes shots at Mr. Vegas, Buju Banton, and Sizzla, "Top Ah Top," the fast-paced "Gunz on the Run," the sick "All Out War," "After All," and the final track (which is possibly the HARDEST song ever made) "War Lady." The beat is absolutely IN-SANE! Just listening to the first few seconds sounds like Armaggedon itself is about to jump off! Long live BK!!

Art of War, without doubt is a great compilation of hard hitting, lyrical shots aimed at the rivals of the Killa. The album targets those fans of the Killer who appreciate this side of the deejay the best. Blood Bath, Warlord no business, Stainless, are all classic confrontational hits which has made the Killer the Warlord. Overall, if you are a fan of some of the Killer's earlier "warring" tunes, and wish to appreciate the most talented lyrical murderer of the contemporary dancehall era, then Art of War is for u.

Well once again, Rodney Price,more popularly known as Bounty Killer or AKA 'The Warlord', has done it again. Mr. Price has shown once again why he is the Danchall Don of Reggae Dancehall music. This album is lined with high caliber nuclear lyrics, that leaves the warlord's rivals in a mist of his dust. This album is what dancehall, let me re-phrase, hardcore dancehall is really about.Bounty stays true to his culture and style, not selling out to what is the hype. He is representing reggae dancehall music and doing a damned good job.To put it simply, you have to listen to believe. I cannot describe in mere words how great of a album this is.....so what you waiting for.....go get it!!!

The furthest thing from commercial trash, Bounty shows his attempt to crack into a more mainstream audience with No Doubt does not herald the beginning of the end. The Warlord comes to the battlefield with all guns blazing and, when the smoke clears, leaves no challenger standing. This CD does not showcase Bounty's versatility, rather he goes back to hardcore dancehall roots and gives a true exhibition of the art of war. Including tailor-made-for-clash gems like "Blood Bath", "Warlord Nuh Business", "Stainless", "Look Good", "Sumfest", "Just Dead", "All Out War", and my personal favourite, "Likkle Dread Bwoy", Bounty lyrically destroys Sizzla, Lexxus, Mr. Vegas, Hawkeye, Merciless, Baby Cham, producer extraordinaire Dave Kelly, longtime nemesis Beenie Man, and even takes a stab at Buju Banton. The CD has a gritty, vengeful feel to it, as Bounty lets loose with biting lingual gymnastics, on subjects confined mainly to haters, rival deejays, and fassyholes in general. Possessed of creative ingenuity and a wicked flow, the poor people's governor provides a that is a must-have for any Bounty fan (and really, who isn't?). While casual listeners or newcomers to dancehall may wonder, after a while, when Bounty will run out of guns to pop out, true dancehall aficionados will smile and wonder when deejays will learn that they can't test the Killer. This is not (yet) recommended to those now becoming acquainted to dancehall, excluding hip-hop battle lovers. Instead, listen around a bit and get some background info, then graduate and study the art of war.

This album is an excellent synthesis of Bounty's skills reaffirming his title as the Warlord of reggae. Bounty unleashes his teflon lyrics sparing no one who as dared tried to confront the Ghetto Crown King. The first one to fall victim receiving a lyrical gunshot was Merciless (Barhead) in Blood Bath the job was finished with three shots, one to the head the heart and the soul in Sumfest, All Out War and After All. Warlord Nuh Business has to be the first lyrical atomic bomb of the album killing Beenie Man (In between the Man), Merciless, Baby Cham (Lady Cham), Lexus, Vegas, Sizzla and Hawkeye. The second bomb comes in Likkle Dread Bwoy finishing off Baby Cham, Merciless, Beenie, Lexus, Sizzla even taking a shot at Buju Banton. The Killler's lyrical humor is ever prevalent in Look Good with his hilarious assault on Beenie man for his criticism on the Hey Baby video and in Just Dead targeted to Baby Cham. This album has to be the most extensive collection of war tunes on one CD each song hard like blue steel iron. Some of Bounty's best work ever.

Bounty Killer is a psycho. He rhymes like a machine gun, but never has to reload. Big up!