Customer Reviews

Guerilla City

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

Guerilla Black's debut album is "Guerilla City" (2004). I remember a few years ago when Shyne dropped people were comparing his sound to the late great Notorious B.I.G., Guerilla Black is clearly the closest likeness though, in sound, rhymes and looks. Guerilla Black chooses to briefly mention this matter on the opening track "Hearts Of Fire" while talking about how he made it into the game. The next track is my favourite, titled "Guerilla City", GB reps Compton while singing the chorus. Next he hooks up with Beenie Man on his first single "Compton", its on this track that you can really see Guerilla is trying to sound like the Notorious in the way he rhymes and it sort of works, Beenie Man adds some Jamaican flavor. The next track which will probably be the 2nd single is the laidback "You're the One" feat. R & B singer Mario Winans. Guerilla Black raises the tempo to fast paced "Trixx" and "Guerilla Nasty" feat. Jazzy Pha and Brooke Valentine, not feeling either of these. Guerilla Black talks more to the ladies on "Sunrise" then hooks up with Nate Dogg on the decent "What We Gonna Do". GB dedicates "Say What" to Eazy-E, repping his hood backed by a repetitive chorus. Next couple tracks are really more of the same to me, none standing out, then Guerilla Black closes off the album with "My First" a deep track dedicated in memory of his young wife who died of meningitis. I mentioned earlier that Guerilla Black sounds and looks like Biggie Smalls, but don't confuse that as me saying he is near in skill to the late great Notorious. Some might say comparing the two is unfair, but when Guerilla Black try's to sound like Biggie using similar rhyme schemes, I think its fair to judge, he has a similar flow but lacks the wordplay, charisma and lyrical content of the Notorious. Having a Biggie like sound has helped Guerilla Black get some attention, but I think he is best off when crafting his own style and not trying to sound like the Notorious as a lot of people feel that is biting. End of the day though he is just another rapper trying to eat, in his own words he is trying to stay humble. Guerilla Black does stand out at times on this release, making "Guerilla City" an album worth checking out.

I think people should give Black credit for he'an amazing rapper. The fact that he sounds like, looks like Biggie is not enough to hold him back in the music industry. I mean the guy can't help sounding like that, I think this album is bangin for a first LP,so give him a break..he got talent

This is one hot album. I know about everybody trying to compare this guy to B.I.G. but he has stood humbley before many to tell them that he's not and he's not even 3/4's of what B.I.G. was. GB's albumn from start to finish is hot. This is his real voice, he can't help that he sounds like the late great. you got your haters who are always going to disgrace the man's name and credibility but Black has shined through all that. this debut album is a stepping stone in the game and we'll be looking forward to more.

JESUS CHRIST. I know its obvious but this guy sucks big time. any1 thinkin of coppin this cd needs to have there hed examined. this fat mufu**a is jockin the late BIG and thinkin no one will notice that he lookks and raps EXACTLY like biggie. its not even funny, just sickening. maybe GB cant help his tone of voice but someone actually signed him knowing that he was gonna get sum dough from fatboy.must be tha worse a&r ever.as a hip hop fan u shud cop ready to die by big and get that freestyle with big, pac, shyheim and the other guy, that sheezy iz off tha heezy. for reazy.GB is gonna lose his deal soon im sure.hes tryin to destroy the legacy of big and bad boy records.mario whinings even appeers on a song.thers no loyalty ther puff. this guy is a disgrace to hip hop. decent west coast cds include the game,snoops last meal n doggystyle, tha doggpounds, pac, nwa, CMW and any1 else who didnt feel tha need to mercilessly rip off anuther rapper

I just got this CD about a week ago, and having listened to it about 3 times through I can say I know it well enough to write a review. I always have Hip Hop playing, no matter what I'm doing, I have a constant need for new music. Having said that, I've established that I know Hip Hop, on to the review.

I first heard Guerilla Black on BET's Late Night UnCut Show, immediately yeah I thought he sounded like The Late Notorious BIG. Once I saw him though, and listened deeper, I dismissed that thought.

Black has his own style, don't listen to these people saying 'yeah he's exactly like Biggie!' because he's not. The CD was highly anticipated by myself, I even went and downloaded three songs to keep my appetite down for it. I actually found it on Amazon.com in the used section (still new in wrapping though) for about $7 (definitely check out the used section!). Since it ended up under $10 I bought it (I never pay more than $10 for a CD unless it's a double CD).

The first single "Compton" is amazing, and features Beenie Man on the hook. You should have heard it on the radio or something by now (I have SIRIUS so I don't listen to the radio). The CD features production by Jazze Pha ("Guerilla Nasty" & "Girlfriend"), both of which are pretty good tracks. Nate Dogg lends his voice on "What We Gonna Do," which has a killer bassline. Mario Winans appears on "You're The One" which I heard on SIRIUS recently, so I suppose it's the second single, also a pretty good track.

Personally I enjoyed "Hearts Of Fire" and "Guerilla City," the opening tracks of the CD. "Hearts Of Fire" samples Bob Marley & The Wailers' "No More Trouble," which is an awesome song. Shyne recently used this same sample on "Quasi O.G.," only that song has poor production, I definitely reccommend listening to the original Bob Marley song first, because it will give you a better appreciation for the Guerilla Black track. Guerilla City is an ode to Compton, it get's stuck in my head easily, and is a melodious track.

If you doubt any tracks or even the whole CD, just listen to it on Amazon.com or Circuit City's website first. Either way, this is a great West Coast CD.

Overall I give this CD 3.5 or 4 stars, it is an impressive debut, and a big help to the West Coast Hip Hop scene. I look forward to more Guerilla Black in the future.

The B.I.G. comparisons are obvious, as his voice is pretty darn similar to Biggie's. His rhymes are not at Biggie's level, but I think as GB progresses, so will his lyrics.

I liked the album overall, its worth a buy in my mind, and so much better than all that rehashed southern hip hop crap that is growing like the kudzu along the roadways in the south.

Minus one star for the cliched and apparently obligatory "skits", which are horrible, not even a little funny. Skits should have pretty much ended after The Chronic, and all they do is wear out the track advance button on my deck. Seriously, anything new to be said in skit form should be included in the liner notes, but if I have to hear one more skit about the rapper having sex with an abundance of women, someone rolling up and shooting someone, or a completely non-sensicle shout-out, I'm gonna go postal.

ain't heard the album so didn't want to it give 1 star but i was reading xxl magazine and mc eiht said he knew who game was through the street's but he ain't never even heard of guerilla black and eiht is also from compton. eiht also questions how black does a street song about compton for one single then has another single about making love. basically he goes on to inquire that virgin records just packaged black as a gimmick of being a westcoast biggie. it did seem weird that some guy that resembled biggy physically and sounded like him too just happened to appear.

He may sound like Biggie, but he isn't, and I find it hilarious that people constantly hate on this guy because of that. He's being himself, and that's a good thing. "Trixxx" is probably the best cut on here. The production overall is very good, and the lyricism is OK. Overall, I give this a 3.

Like most people who heard this kat, there is no doubt he's wearing Biggie's baritone flow and cadence on his sleeve somethin' sick. But it sure feels good to hear it. It almost sounds like this album was made in between Ready to Die and Life After Death. I was definitely feelin' the LP, and I must give him his respect due. A little ironic thing I noticed though was that his leadoff track "Hearts of Fire" sampled the Bob Marley track that Shyne sampled on "Quasi OG" from his latest joint as well.

actually not bad at all. I really do like it. The production is amazingly strong. I wish his wordplay was more strong as far as lyrics. Referring him to another BIG soundalike is already stated, so I am not going to reinforce the issue. But this is good, I can't even hate.

Top 3 songs: Trixxx, What We Gonna Do, Hearts of Fire
Bottom 3 songs: Guerilla Nasty, Girlfriend, Compton (just because I hate when people re-used songs in that fashion)
Sleeper: Guerilla City