Customer Reviews

Heist of the Century [Vinyl]

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, this is a dope album but not worth the ridiculous prices here on amazon, unless you're a really serious collector. Also, this album has, in my opinion, been overrated by some heads who are obssesed with rare and out of print hip hop.
"Lucci" is a great opening track, with a crazy dope third verse, while "Now Y" is a thugged out call to arms.
Throughout the disc, La drops street knowledge and hood stories, peppering gritty narratives with occasional insight. While he is an adept emcee, there is not a tremendous amount of new material.
Production is gritty, NY underground sound that fits La and fam well. "I want it all" is a great closing track.
This is a dope album from a emcee who unfortunately became any more obscure. A great buy if you can get it for a fair price.

Lason Jackson is his real name. Grew up in the Bronx and spent some time in Grand Rapids, Michigan during his high school years. I myself am a Detroit native and I know some people who went to highschool with him in Grand Rapids. Anyways, this CD blew up back in 1999, spreading across Michigan from Grand Rapids to Motown in a matter of weeks. It is a pure classic in east coast hip hop. I put this one right up there next to The Lifestylyes of Da Poor and Dangerous and The Infamous (if you don't know what i'm talking about then consider yourself ignorant in this matter). If Mobb Deep had a third member it would be La (He's that rugged!!!). The Wu (Rza) made a wise move picking La up but they have not funded him on any future projects. Last time I heard he was opening for Killah Priest for some shows in Michigan. One of my friends talked to him and he said he was working on a new project independant of the Wu. It will be interesting to see what the outcome (if any) will be. (...)

La The Darkman is an artist with unlimited talent. He has proven that on his first opus. Graduating from the Wu-Tang academy, La proven skill on tracks like "Spring Water" featuring Raekwon, "Element Of Suprise" featuring U-God & Masta Killa, the title track featuring Killarmy's Killa Sin, and my favorite track, "4 Souls" featuring Shotti Screwface. La The Darkman even slow things down for the ladies on the Maia Campbell featured, "Love", and he tells stories on the Havoc produced "City Lights" and the aforementioned, "Element Of Suprise". Production by Carlos "Six July" Broady, 4th Disciple, RZA, and Havoc is dark and grimy. Go and get this album.

This album was one that kinda jumped up and surprised me. I mean the Wu has been in a kinda of decline since Forever came out. This album has several things that any of the album since triumph have not had.

1)More than thre or four good songs. 2)Really good beats. 3)Flows that actually don't seem like revisions of old rhymes already written.

Now I am one of the worlds biggest Wu Fans, but I hope that more of 'their' albums are like this one. Full of emotion, spirit, and innovation (like Enter the 36 Chambers).

La The Darkman is one of the greatest Wu Fam members ever. He drops the rugged street rhymes combined with the lethal lyrics that has made Wu Tang such a popular crew. If you like Shyheim or Big L you should dig this album.

By 1998, the Wu-Tang empire had expanded such that every cousin, neighbor, and classmate of a Wu-member seemed to have a record deal and was trying to piece together their own Only Built 4 Cuban Linx or Liquid Swords, with similar beats and subject matter to the seminal classics. While this certainly led to oversaturation of the market, some strong and underrated material did come from this explosion, such as La the Darkman's "Heist of the Century."

"Heist of the Century" is a showcase of the Wu-Gambino style pioneered by Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, exploring mob life and extortion over Shaolin beats ripe with bytes from mafia and kung-fu movies. Carlos "Six July" Broady, one of the original Hitmen, produces eight tracks, and Wu producer 4th Disciple produces five, along with two tracks by Havoc and one each by Raekwon, DJ Muggs, and the RZA himself. Overall the beats are predictably solid but generally not outstanding, drawing much influence from older Wu projects.

La has the tools of a great storytelling MC, and he spins strong street tales on his debut such as on the title track. However, the first half of the album is surprisingly weak, marked by a solid opener "Lucci" but little real substance outside of endless mob references. He tends to stray into mediocrity when rapping about money (if you and all your friends got together, you'd still run out of fingers and toes to count the use of the word "lucci" on this album), cars, drugs, jewels, and street life, and sometimes the production doesn't do him any favors. "Shine," "City Livin,'" and "What Thugs Do," are all weak and could have been left off the too-long tracklist, and "Street Life" is terrible.

"Heist of the Century"'s strength lies in the posse cuts. La performs especially well with Raekwon, such as on "Spring Water," a gem where the two MCs discuss a lavish, illegal lifestyle over a rich Latin-jazz beat, and the brilliant "Az the World Turnz." "Element of Surprise" with U-God and Masta Killah is similarly excellent, and members of the extended Wu-fam circa 1998 guest on "4 Souls" and "Wu-Blood Kin." Other highlights include "I Want It All," "Gun Rule," and RZA's production "Polluted Wisdom."

At its best, "Heist of the Century" displays the Wu-Tang formula executed at its best. The charming mafioso rap, signature eerie production, movie monologues, and the inexplicable Wu-Tang charm are all here in abundance, and the standout tracks are indeed just as effective as any classics from the Wu vault. The familiarity also contributes to its appeal, and La proves to be a potent rapper, despite instances of monotony. "Heist of the Century" is a strong album that doesn't stand among the best albums of its period from the camp, so those who aren't Wu-Tang die-hards might just opt to spring for the highlights.

Around this time, the Wu-Tang Clan was expanding and drafting other new acts, such as Killarmy, Wu Syndicate, Suns Of Man/Killah Priest, and LA The Darkman. In late 1998, LA realeased his solo album Heist Of The Century, in what is my opinion, one of the most underrated albums of that year (and probably the most slept on). What is amazing is that LA can tell some dope stories. Almost every song on this album he tell a story, in great detail. Some of the dope songs on here are "City Lights" where he tells a story of a guy getting caught up in his mischief. "Love" featuring Mala Campbell is another song about him and his girlfriend told in very great detail.

Along side of his ability to tell a story in a rhyme, LA is great lyricist for the most part. Two songs quickly stood out to me when I first heard this album: "Spring Water" featuring Raekwon, impressive how they managed to rhyme over the Maze featuring Fankie Beverley "Joy And Pain" song. The video for the song was solid too. Also the following track "4 Souls" where LA and Shotti Screwface spit two dope verses each over a great Six July beat. Other songs he colabs with other Wu relate artists that made an impression were "Heist Of The Century" featuring Killa Sin, "Element Of Suprise" featuring Masta Killah and U-God, and "Wu Blood Kin" featuring 12 O'Clock of the Wu Syndicates while Ghostface doing the hook to the song.

A few things brought down this album from being a perfect 10. One would be the track "Street Life" featuring Tekitha is completly forgettable, especially with her singing the chorus, not to mention the fact that Mic Geronimo and Monifah made a similar (and much better) track that same year. Also when LA is rhyimg about clothes, cars, and "Lucci" (that word is mentioned quite an number of times on this album), he sounds out of place on the lyrical side of things (although I have to admit "I Want It All" was solid). But he overshadows that, because he has an excellent delivery, so not many people will ever notice unless it is pointed out to them.

Overall, Heist Of The Century is a dope album. I'm amazed that a number of second string Wu albums such as this are out of print, so it is hard to access. This album has that Wu-Tang sound that you've heard on a number of solo albums. As for LA, he needs to follow this up. He's been around the Wu still as he appeared on Method Man's recent album 4:21... The Day After, and is working with Willie The Kid on an upcomming album Dead Presidents comming out this year. But as for this album, if you see it for a cheap price, it's my recommendation to add this to your collection. Peace!

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

Top 5 Tracks:
1. 4 Souls (featuring Shotti Screwface)
2. Spring Water (featuring Raekwon)
3. City Lights
4. Love (featuring Mala Campbell)
5. Heist Of The Century (featuring Killa Sin)

Honorable Mention:
1. I Want It All
2. Element Of Suprise (featuring U-God and Masta Killah)

Just read my review,I'm not your average hip hop listener,I've been listening to hip hop for over 20 years and I know whats what.This album is a 5 mic - classic,it has outstanding smooth underground beats and is anti-commercial.LA The Darkman has fluent lyrical skills N has a lot of potential.You wont be disappointed,Word is bomb get this ish right now n if you love the WU scene the You'll LOVE THIS Wu-Connection!!Wu-4Eternity

This cd is a classic and put la the darkman up their with the best. good lyrics good beats on every song. can't wait for more from him

First heard him on DJ MUGGS: SOUL ASSASINS. Devil in the Blue Dress was hot. Tight lyrics, all clear and understandable. Has to be one the hottest off shoots from the WU. Put it at the top of your list to grab if you love the WU and supreme lyrics. Peace