L.J.'s [Explicit Lyrics]

Likwit Junkies | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 22, 2005)
• Original Release Date: March 22, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: ABB Records
• ASIN: B0006ZRVNS
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,087 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

After nearly 10 years of making good music independently, Defari (Likwit Crew) and DJ Babu (Beat Junkies/ Dilated Peoples) finally team up to deliver a sure to be classic full length! Featuring production by Babu and guest appearances ranging from sultry vocalist Noelle to one of hip-hop’s dopest emcees, Rakaa Iriscience from Dilated Peoples, this album delivers raw energy and emotion from start to finish. But don’t take our word for it! Listen to the album that is sure to resurrect hip-hop in 2005!!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars UNDERGROUND... VICTORY, October 24, 2007

By 

Meisei Yoshiyama "DJXPL" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: L.J.'s (Audio CD)

There's nothing like the cold comfort of a chilled, fizzing mug of your favorite beer. There's also nothing like lounging on your porch in 75 degree weather as the sun's setting, with the warm breeze massaging your skin. Both can be ranked high in the pleasure category, however, when combined, all your worries seem to fade and you wonder how something so simple could come to define enjoyment.

Defari has been a respected west coast MC for a number of years now, although his solo career hasn't quite ballooned yet. DJ Babu is at the pinnacle of turntablism, but his reputation as a producer hasn't matched his vinyl slicing mystique. Clearly, both are solo forces to be reckoned with but when combined, something is created that's even bigger than the sum of its parts. The Likwit Crew and the Beat Junkies come together to form The Likwit Junkies and they're proving that they have what Common calls "that cold beer on a warm day chemistry."

"L.J's Anthem" kicks the album off with perhaps the darkest beat on the album. The tingling piano keys strike an eerie vibe as Defari claims their music will "make ya heart pound through your chest// make ya heart jump out of your bulletproof vest."

Fellow Likwit affiliates Phil Da Agony and Evidence of the Dilated Peoples punch-in on the "Strength in Numbers." Phil comes ripping through with an angry energy, then tag teams Defari as his smooth delivery delightedly contrasts the prior MC. Evidence brings it home with a no jokes approach to the track as he spits "revenge is a dish that I serve best cold."

One thing that should be said about Babu's beats is the stripped down, bare essential style to them. "The Ghetto" is a perfect example with a simple and simply dope, nostalgic piano loop that's only accompanied by modest drums, Defari's voice, and the occasional string patch. Where some producers might've decorated the song with a plethora of sounds or drums that try to overpower the track, Babu successfully produces the most soulful sound and lets it do its own thing.

Near the end of the album, there's a stretch of about 4 songs in a row that display that laid-back, sunset music that only the west coast can do. It starts off with the island beat of "6 in the Morning." Here Defari shows that he's much more than a smart gangster rapper with the spiritual lyrical knowledge:

"I'm the mountains the earth and the sea
I'm the sun and the stars, the whole galaxy
I'm the energy of life, everything that's living
I'm the G-o-d who quench the sea for women to bear children
I'm the true and living
Black, natural fact
The O.G. from way back, the yellow mack
King of kings, may the lord bless everything
I'm involved and may it not revolve around hooks
And may the books add strength in my mind
Everytime"

Babu invites his dilated buddy Rakaa to deliver a couple solid verses on the funk drenched "Dark Ends." Defari playfully uses a woman as a metaphor for his love for tree smoke on "The Good Green." Over Babu's crawling, hypnotizing beat is the intriguing voice of Dodee Westbeach. As opposed to a simple hook crooner, he sounds like a more emotional mix of Isaac Hayes and Prince. And no, I'm not saying he's double the fun of two of the greatest soul/ funk artists ever but he adds an element to the song that would've been much flatter without him. Planet Asia and Krondon voice their easily warranted frustration on the police brutality protest of "One Time."

This is the music that made the west coast great back in the early to mid nineties. There's music to ride or chill to, while there's also conscious, conceptual and political rhymes that create a healthy balance of intelligence throughout the album. With this record Babu and Defari have created a chain with virtually no weak links. These two independent elements combine to create a chemistry that goes down smoother than cold beer on a warm California day.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Someone Dropped The Ball (3 Stars), April 1, 2005

By 

Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all" (Winchester VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: L.J.'s (Audio CD)

I'll be honest, I've never been the biggest Defari fan, but I've always been a fan of DJ Babu. The two manage to create a decent album that's littered with gems. Some of the tracks are breezy, feel good joints that speak on a variety of topics. "One Day Away", "L.J's Anthem", and "Salute" are breezy, summertime cuts. "The Hop" has a tight beat, but I don't think Defari used it that well. "D.G. Interlude" has a tight beat if you can get past Defari bragging about how efficient his "member" is. I'd have to say that "Keep Doin' It" and "Dark Ends" are good and "Ghetto" is probably the strongest joint on the entire album.

Aside from the previously mentioned songs, the rest of the album really drags. Though the beats are decent, "Change", "Strength In Numbers", "S.C.A.N.S", and "Brother" are all pretty boring. "The Good Green" is predictably corny and "One Time" feat. Krondon & Planet Asia borders on wack (is it me, or is Planet Asia beginning to slip?). Basically, Defari isn't the type of rapper that can't carry entire albums by himself because he lacks charisma and his flow is sort of elementary. He doesn't have the presence to carry mediocre beats. The album only picks up when he has help from guest appearances (and sometimes not even then).

I think the production is what keeps this album from being as stellar as it should've been. It ranges from decent to choppy to just plain ol' boring. If you're a long time fan of Defari & Babu, then you'll probably dig the lyrical schemes. But I didn't feel the basic/elementary flow. There are times where he has trouble staying on beat. In short: Too many of the tracks are boring and Defari needs to step his rap game up. I'd only reccomend this to fans and suggest that newcomers download a few tracks and test it out first.

Standout Tracks: One Day Away, Ghetto feat. Noelle, Keep Doin' It, L.J.'s Anthem feat. Noelle, and Dark Ends feat. Rakaa

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars (3+half) This LIKWIT isnt addictive enough to make you a JUNKIE., March 26, 2007

By 

gavin redmond "phrase" (rep of ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: L.J.'s (Audio CD)

Being a huge Defari+Babu fan I was very excited about this collabo and to a certain degree I wasnt let down however it just doesnt seem to shift gears enough. Most of the songs are in the safe-zone, with nice beats and rhymes were neither artist really stretches themselves. Defari is capable of much better rhymes and Babu's beats lose abit of spark after a couple of listens. It also suffers abit from tracks like the weak "The Good Green", "D.G.Skit" and "Dreamgirl". Also the average tracks like "One Day Away", "Strength In Numbers", "One Time" and "Brother" take abit away from the overall quality of the album. The remaining 10 tracks are were it earns its stripes however b'cuz they are pure lyrical heat+amazing beats. THEY are the reasons Im glad I own this album and with tracks such as "L.J.'s Anthem", "The Hop", "Salute", "Change", "Keep Doin'It", "6 In The Morning", "Ghetto", "S.C.A.N.S.", "Dark Ends" and "The Interview" you'll be glad too. If they had've been able to maintain this throughout the 18tracks or even shortened the album it wouldve been alot tighter.