Customer Reviews

Industry Shakedown

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Here's the thing about Freddie Foxxx/Bumpy Knuckles: he's a great MC. Let there be NO doubt about that. His cameos with M.O.P., Gangstarr, O.C. and others stole the spotlight and got progressively better and better. On his debut LP, "Industry Shakedown," he rips sucker MCs like no other. The problem is that's all he does...

Don't get me wrong. This is one tight album. The production, handled for the most part by Foxxx himself, is nice, and the tracks he doesn't bless are constructed by the underground's finest, from the Alchemist to Pete Rock to the legendary DJ Premier. But the lyrics, while they are some of the most venomous on wax to date, are pretty much all alike.

"Industry Shakedown" is just that: Freddie Foxxx issuing an open challenge to anyone (and he means ANYONE) to step to him and tell him he and his twin caliber Walther PPK's aren't the best. And I give him credit... I sure wouldn't be the first to call him wack. But I will say that he needs some new material.

It's actually a shame that there's not enough lyrical variety to go with the plethora of enjoyable beats found here. "Tell 'Em I'm Here" moves with an ominous string loop, "Bumpy Bring It Home" is executed nicely by Diamond D with Billy Danz of M.O.P. on the hook, and the title track, courtesy of Soul Brother #1 Pete Rock, is one of the smoothest and best beats I've heard this year.

Like I said, Freddie Foxxx is one of the best MCs out there. He just needs something new to talk about. You can only rip so many MCs before there's none left to rip.

The rapper of the "third verse" dropped this album in summer 2000 and not only does he let loose on wack emcees, but he also aims at such chart-toppers as N.O.R.E. and Memphis Bleek. He also attacks major-record labels on the title track produced by Pete Rock. Other highlights (and there are plenty) are "R.N.S." and "Part of My Life" (both produced by DJ Premier), the hysterical and playful "MC's Come, MC's Go" (no, you are NOT supposed to take that song seriously), "Bumpy Knuckles Baby" and the best track, "The Mastas" (produced by Foxxx himself, featuring M.O.P.). I couldn't give it five stars because I didn't care for "Searchin'" and also, all those songs about beating or shooting someone down start to wear thin after 70 minutes. But this album is still worth it for the song "Bumpy Bring it Home", where he says that his music "is like the new Jordans when they come out." I couldn't have said it better myself.

After 10 long years and countless labels the underdog of the rap industry (freedie foxx) is back with his first album in 10 years. Under the new moniker Bumpy Knucles, Freedie fox lets the rap industry that he's as mad as hell and he's no going to take it anymore. This album is straight up high quality hardcore underground hip hop. Production is handled by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Tha Alchemist Diamond D, all of whom give Industry... a gritty but well produced sound. Like I mentioned before Fredi..Bumpy is mad as hell at the industry and not only is he saying it he's naming names. The title cut does for record executives what labels did to record lables. Bumpy knucles not only goes off on record executives he goes after phony hip hop artists who claim to keep it real. But most of all this is a hip hop album, no cheesy overused sample or lame hooks. (well may'be on a couple cuts and even they're saved by Bumpy's lyrics) There are a few guests, MOP, Afrika Bambata who add their flavor to IS. The real star of Industry... is freddie foxx, his sharp tongue and harcore stelo shine through like a ray of sun after a storm. Not for those who like commercial rap, only hardcore hip hop fans need apply.

"Industry Shakedown" represents the culmination of more than a decade of struggle for Freddie Foxxx. Drawing upon the buzz generated by his appearances on recent cuts from Gangstarr ("Militia"), M.O.P. ("I Luv"), and O.C. ("Win the G" and "M.U.G."), Foxxx seeks to capitalize on his role as an industry outsider by coupling hard-hitting lyrics with solid beats from a stable of rap's most respected producers, such as DJ Premier, Diamond D, and the Alchemist. Over thumping beats, Foxxx releases a slew of no-holds-barred lyrics which fully express his exasperation with the current state of rap; Foxxx truly revels in his status as a renegade. While intelligent rhymes do not abound on this disc, energy and emotion overflow; much in the same manner as cohorts Billy Danz and L'il Fame (of M.O.P. who appear twice on the disc), Foxxx attacks "every rhyme as if it were [his] last". The raw energy present on this disc is its most impressive asset. Released on Foxxx's own label, KJAC, "Industry Shakedown" represents a true victory for rap, a work which has been independently written, produced, and marketed without the backing of the major labels (as an added bonus, the disc comes with a self-produced, Bumpy Knuckles mini-comic book). Stand-out cuts include Inside Your Head, Bumpy Bring it Home (featuring Billy Danz), Bumpy Knuckles Baby, and Part of My Life. A must purchase for true fans of quality underground rap.

The Real Tunnel banga right here. If you are looking for grimey, hardcore hip-hop...look no further. There finally is an album for all the true hip hop heads out there. This is rap in its most genuine form. You wont find any polished, Puffy-typed music here...just the real jonts. On the Song "Industry Shakedown" Foxxx Is taking no prisoners and letting all the labels know what a talent he is by using his most violent weapon...his lyrics. This album is just hot from beginning to End...Just cop it...thats all I got to say.

There is a serious problem with the disc. Let me be clear about one thing, it wasn't a problem with the seller I bought it from. But the disc is defective. There are only 3 tracks on it and there are supposed to be 20. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone because the chances are good that your disc will be faulty as well. This is the second time this happened to me.

But let me say this, I found this album elsewhere and it's not bad. I wish Freddie would vary his style a little bit but there are some nicely produced tracks.

After hearing him on frequent Gangstarr releases, we finally get an album of just Bumpy. As anybody familiar with his guest appearances should be able to guess, this album is INTENSE. Bumpy is constantly hyped up and angry. Production from DJ Premier and a guest appearance from M.O.P. only contribute to the hardcore feel of this record. The thing is, an entire album of bugged out, screaming Bumpy gets pretty repetitive and the few attempts at more downtempo stuff like "Searchin" really fail. Still, there's more than a handful of mix tape worthy tracks on here, which is why i gave it four stars. My personal favorites are "Tell Em I'm Here" "Inside Your Head" and "Part Of My Life," all of which have truly incredible battle rhymes from one of the cleverest rappers out there. Now if he could only learn to stretch his sound a little, he could release a true classic.

Freddie Foxxx, Bumpy Knuckles baby! This is dope, hardcore hip-hop at it's best. Everything works! the beats, the rhymes, the guests and even the CD layout and artwork!

Production includes Freddie himself, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, The Alchemist, and Diamond d.. How can you go wrong with that..?

Guests include M.O.P. and Afrika Bambaatta..

There's on two songs with R&B hooks but they are NOT soft at all... FOXXX is a dope emcee.. he's an emcee's emcee..

If you love HARDCORE underground NY hip-hop, this CD is for you. It's a great length too.. over 70 minutes long and NO filler..

This is a MUST HAVE for any true underground hardcore NY hip-hop lover...

I first heard Freddie Foxxx on KRS-ONE's "Sex and Violence" ('92) album on a track called "Ruff Ruff," one of the dopest hip-hop collab tracks of all time. "Industry Shakedown" is almost a flawless album. My only gripes are: the corny intro to "MCs Come and MCs Go" (an otherwise excellent track), and the wack choruses on "Bumpy Bring It Home" and especially "Bumpy Knuckles Baby" (very corny chorus, and sub-par for Foxxx); but the rest of the content is pure fire.

For anybody saying that there's not enough lyrical variety, you need to listen more closely. Yes, Freddie Foxxx is MILITANT, but he is not some cliche rapper talking kill-this/kill-that on every track. He merely asserts his sense of power and need for independence, epitomized by the track "Never Bow Down," a spoken word jewel. The title track is very dope even though it's basically about his personal record company beefs. Tracks like "Who Knows Why" and "Been Here Before" are philosophical in nature. The rest of the tracks are also great.

Overall I consider this a classic album. However, to be honest, it doesn't really do Bumpy justice. He has gotten SOOO much deeper with his lyrical content since dropping this album. Use your favorite file-sharer to grab the following singles: "Why Freestyle", "Long Eyes", and "SWAM". The first is political, the second is about pimping, and the last is just about being a dope MC. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Freddie Foxxx has appeared on many discs by many other rappers, and generally steals the show. He's even better on his solo effort. Sometimes he's so hard it's funny--you can't take him all that seriously, but then, that's the case with most hardcore gangster rappers. Suspension of disbelief. Get into the right mind frame, and Bump Knucks will get you fired up. I couldn't give him five stars because there are some tired-sounding jams, but there are more good cuts than bad. High points are Tell 'em I'm here; Stock in the Game; Part of my Life. Hot!