Customer Reviews

Livin Proof

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Group Home's (Melachi Da Nutcracker and Lil Dap) debut album "Livin' Proof" (1995) was an impressive first release. Produced by one of my hip hops most established producers DJ Premier of Gang Starr for MCs that appeared on his projects(Melachi and Dap appear on Daily Operation, Hard to Earn) this album is laced with excellent first class beats to remember. While Melachi and Lil Dap are not great MC's I feel that they hold there own on there first release, though I do agree lyrical content is limited. Singles "Suspended in Time" and "Supa Star" are two of my favourite tracks on the album, I like the later where Group Home goes deep while talking about the streets and giving shoutouts at the end of the track. The title track "Livin Proof" has an insane beat as does the grimey sounding "4 Give My Sins". "Baby Pa" picks up midway and Group Home is smart enough to let the beat do the work. Backed by a dope piano beat, Melachi and Lil Dap's simple rhymes work well on "2 Thousand", 95 is yours 2000 is mine. "Up Against Tha Wall" and "The Realness" close off the album strong. Some people may get bored of the repetitive use of lines like "such a pity that livin in the city is like livin in the times of Frank Nitti", for some reason this appeals to me, both MC's have distinct flows which blend well with Premos beats. "Livin' Proof" is an album I would recommend checking out, a unique and memorable release.

Few albums evoke the frustration of Livin' Proof. DJ Premier is at the top of the mountain. Group Home seems incapable of even beginning to scale it. Dap's voice is annoying, to the point of egregiosity (if that's a word). Seriously, the cat should be doing Tiny Toons, not lamely attempting to rip up a Preemo track. Melachi isn't going to leave you dazed with his rhymes either, but he's far from the worst emcee to ever bless a mic. You ever see those corny white kids dressed like ICP in the cipher before school? I rest my case. Although, realistically, will they ever get the chance to take a metaphorical dump on beats as beautiful as these? Preem's loyalty to his friends is admirable. Guru and Big Shug do drop in on "Serious Rap Shhh", instantly making it the best thing here vocally. They also sampled Paul Mooney years before the Chapelle Show made him fashionable to those aforementioned white kids. *sigh* Listen...you *need* this if you have any trace of hip-hop in your blood. This is argueably Premier's best production. Ever. Just try and zone out and ignore the rhymes and you'll enjoy it. If you find yourself in tears that he didn't give these beats to Nas or Jeru, well, that's two of us.

Group Home's 1995 debut album "Livin' Proof" is a gorgeous and beautiful hip hop album that is certainly very underappreciated. This album teams the MC duo Lil' Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker, two talented and unknown teenage rappers from New York, with the legendary DJ Premier on the mixing boards, arguably the greatest hip hop producer of all time. The result is a truly special and unique masterpiece. The majority of the enjoyment in "Livin' Proof" comes from the production, which is the most diverse and my favorite of his entire career. His sound is very focused, and the theme of "low budget environment" is played very well. Premo's beats sound less polished than on a Gang Starr record, and instead of his usual horns and instrumentals, he often uses heavy, creative sampling, and a simple drumkit and keyboard to make simple, beautiful beats. His music has a very nostalgic feel to it, and this production is experimental without sounding at all futuristic. His music really is capable of evoking a lot of feelings and emotions. Lyrically I am impressed with Dap and Melachi, and I really can't begin to comprehend the three and four star ratings bashing these two rappers. I guess in 1995 people were only used to hearing Guru and Jeru the Damaja over Premier beats, and granted Dap and Melachi are not quite on their level, but they really do a phenomenal job on the mic. Despite their young age, they have a very worldly intelligence, and they speak of life in an often depressed, downcast tone that comes from living in such abject poverty. Despite their tough situations, though, they continue to look forward. "Livin' Proof" is an amazing rap album that is really unlike any other I've heard, and I recommend it highly to all types of music listeners.

The album begins with a 40-second intro that displays why DJ Premier is one of the top producers of all time. With just a piano and drumset, he makes one of the coolest little beats I've ever heard, and it just eases you into the album so well. "Inna City Life" introduces Dap and Melachi, both dropping some raw philosophy gained from years in the ghetto, and Premo's simple, staticky beat is hard and gritty. The beat to "Livin' Proof" is raw but attractive, simple and ear-catching, and Melachi and Dap establish themselves as new young truth-kicking rappers. The chorus samples Wu-Tang and Nas in Premo's signature two-bar fashion. "Serious Rap S..." has an electronic, ultra-funky beat that will make your head bob instantly, the raps show great flow. A highlight of the disc is "Suspended in Time," a very nostalgically and thoughtfully produced track with verses to match. "Sacrifice" has cool guitars on the production, and harder raps than usual. "Up Against tha Wall (Low Budget Mix)" has bouncy vibes and my favorite lyrics on the album, expressing the depressed and pessimistic view of inner city life. "4 Give My Sins" has some muted horns and a simple beat, with introspective lyrics. Premo steals the show on "Baby Pa," making not one but two completely dope beats on this track. I love "2 Thousand," with its winding deep piano and great chorus ("95 is yours, 2000 is mine, and we walkin' through the ghetto and the feeling is fine..."). It's followed by "Supa Star," another classic single. My favorite song on the whole album is "Up Against tha Wall (Getaway Car Mix)." It's another mix to the song earlier on the album, but Premo's slower, simple piano lined-beat is absolutely perfect, and he engineers a nice chorus for this mix. The album ends with the tough song "Tha Realness."

"Livin' Proof" is an album so exceptional and musical that I don't think you'd have to be a rap fan to enjoy it. In my mind, it showed the world that the legendary Premier didn't need Guru or Jeru to make an awesome record, and I think this is maybe his greatest musical accomplishment. It is really unlike a Gang Starr album in every way, but Gang Starr fans will probably enjoy it immeasurably as well. I could not praise or recommend "Livin' Proof" any higher, this is really a one-of-a-kind type of album.

Let me be perfectly blunt. If you are freestyling in a circle of fierce lyricists and the boombox isn't playing a "Livin' Proof" instrumental, then you are in the wrong cipher. "Livin' Proof" is an undeniable record that is essential for any aspiring producer. Personally, I feel that it contains the most consistently dope beats from start to finish. Hell, even the intro was too ILL to be a mere forty seconds.

The singles, from the title track to "Superstar," still sound wicked today as they did when they first dropped. Primo's ability to cut and paste vocal samples with skilled scratching techniques is unparallel to any other. Just check my personal favorite, "Suspended In Time." The melodic beat is irresistible with a brilliantly sampled [Inspectah Deck meets Das EFX] chorus. "Don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk,"; "The crew bringing the ruckus no doubt" - Chorus. Like that reviewer T to the Triple XXX would say...COMBUSTIBLE! "Inna Citi Life" is another example of how only Primo could flip a simple drum pattern and still come out on top.

However, no other song on "Livin' Proof" captures DJ Premier's breakout moment better than on "Tha Realness." The tinkling pianos with the strings are deceptively creepy. The bassline sends chills to make your hair stand up. I can't stress how on point that Prodigy sample was. Needless to say, I couldn't and still can't stop playing that joint.

Unfortunately, I don't need to talk about Lil Dap and Melanchi's lyrical abilities. It's not that they aren't good at their craft, it's just that they really don't grab your attention at all. I still love them because they represent the real hip hop. If Primo handed these beats to Jeru, I guarantee this would be more addictive to me than Bobby Brown on PCP. Just remember to have a chiropractor ready to massage your body for serious neck trauma, after listening to this.

This is really a Premier solo album because the beats REALLY OVERSHADOWED the lyrics from Lil' Dap and the Nutcracker. Songs like "Suspended in Time" and "2 Thousand" for example are classic Premo beats. I wish there was an instrumental album because the lyrics were near garbage. This album is an example why DJ Premier is one the best producers in hip-hop.

Group Home's "Livin'Proof" is a timeless mid-nineties street classic. DJ Premier utilizes some of his more straight-laced and lesser-complicated beats, which succinctly enhance Melachi Da Nutcracker and Lil Dap's street honed lyrics. However, on cuts like "suspended in time" and "up against a wall (getaway car rmx)", Premier incorporates discordant samples like a seagull on the aforementioned "suspended...", and a kinetic african instrument on the latter track, to achieve a more blended cohesion to his production. This mediated approach has proved essential to Preemo's evolution, especially when one meditates on his most contemporary beat concoctions, circa 1996, to the present. By far, the most sonically pleasing song is "Livin' Proof" itself. The barrage of snares and unidentifiable high pitched sample sound like a theme song for a crazed murderer on the prowl. Lil Dap certainly adds to this theme by recounting his hard times and internalized "do or die" attitude. Melachi comes off on "Livin Proof" and other tracks as a bit of an inexperienced emcee, but at eighteen years of age, he can nevertheless hold his end down with witty nuances, and occasionally insightful lyrics.
"Livin' Proof" garners a five star rating primarily on the basis of its production, due to its being recorded at a pivotal era in Dj Premier's career. If I had to rate it on the strength of lyrics alone, however, it would hover around the 3 - 3.5 bar.

No question about it, this record is a masterpiece of hip-hop production and probably Premier's most consistent and brilliant work. What is questionable is the lyrically ability of Lil Dap and Melachi. But not everybody has to be Notorious BIG, Nas, or Slick Rick...I mean give these guys a break. This record is a tactile experience, aint nothing cerebral about this joint. Melachi's lyrics are simple (and fine maybe even "trite") but his delivery is forceful (as in it will force you the listener to sing with him) and this is only accentuated by Lil Dap's lisp-muddled flow which, don't get me wrong, is real hot man. The vocal arrangements are almost perfectly orchestrated and the very different Lil Dap and Melachi blend seamlessly into each other and the top notch (as in it don't get no better) production. These cats are just banging but they are not for everybody and it may take you time to really feel this record. But once you get there you are going to be playing this record all the time and singing it line by line. I bought this record when it came out in 95 and I don't think 6 months has gone by without me listening to this disk at least once. If you are thinking about getting this record, don't think about just go get it.

If I had to give a "Where Are They Now" award, Group Home would probably receive it. Group Home's debut CD "Livin' Proof" was a rememerable CD back in late 1995. I first heard these guys on Gang Starr's "Hard To Earn" LP. What grabbed my attention to get this LP was that everybody said that this was some of DJ Premier's best production. Heck, it's a blessing to have a couple of tracks produced by Primer, let alone an entire album. I have to say this is the best production I heard comming from the East Coast in a good minute. If you heard the beats to "Serious Rap Sh..." and "Up Against The Wall" (and thats just some of the songs here with awesome production). It seemed like Premo just held back his production from Gang Starr and and Jeru, and gave them to Group Home. A lot of people wondered if he gave those same beats to artists like Nas or Jeru The Damaja what would the results would be. Hell, if he gave the beats to the wackest rapper out right now, it would almost sound like a second comming of Illmatic or such. They're THAT good.

As for Group Home (Melachi the Nutcracker & Lil' Dap), they don't do a bad job holding down the rhymes. In fact that is the only inferior in this album. I've heard better rhymes, but I've also heard way worse. Especially with all the music comming out today, they make this duo sound like lyrical masters. "Suspended In Time" would be a good song from a lyrical standpoint. Another excellent song is "2 Thousand" (hence my review title) with some good rhymes. Guru and Big Shug comes in for the song "Serious Rap Sh..", as well as Jack The Ripper and Smiley The Ghetto Child rhyme on the song "The Realness". Jeru The Damaja talks at the end of one of the tracks as well.

So this album is excellent for fans of Gang Starr and Primo's production. This album has some of the best beats that he has made in his career. Although Lil' Dap and Melachi's rhyme skills aren't that great, they don't make this CD a waste. If possible, search for the instrumentals for this LP, because you'll be glad that you did. But this album is also a keeper. They followed up with another album in 1999, that I will check out as well.

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

Favorite Tracks: Livin' Proof, Serious Rap Sh.., Suspended In Time, Sacrifice, Up Against The Wall (both mixes), 2 Thousand, Supa Star, The Realness

Peace Everyone!!!

DJ Premier really outdid himself here. He produces the majority of Group Home's (Melachi The Nutcracker and Lil' Dap) debut Livin' Proof, and the beats here are some of his best ever. It's too bad that the lyrics from the Group Home are pretty trite and sometimes boring. Although they are listenable, Dap and Melachi offer nothing new or amazing and they might have been lost if it wasn't for the production. That said, they aren't terrible MC's so the album does pull through in the end and the beats aren't all that wasted. The highlights on the album include "Supa Star", "Up Against The Wall (Getaway Car Mix)", and "Suspended In Time." If you like great hip-hop production or are a die-hard Primo fan, pick this up if you can find it.

Yeah. First off the beats on this album are extremely well done by none other than DJ Premier. The only problem that I have with this album is Malachi the NutCracker. His lyricist skills unfortunatley lag behind Lil' Dap..and they don't do the beats credit at times. Nutcracker kicks what he's got to say with force..but at times he lacks substance. Overall this album is HOT...but don't hate the Nutcracker.