Customer Reviews

Mainstream Outlawz

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

 

 

X-Clan has never disappointed. You won't find any candy rap here. You won't find vulgar rhymes or glorified violence either. X-Clan has always stayed true to the crossroad ways... hence the X in X-Clan. You come to a crossroad in your life and what are you going to do? X-Clan clearly has it's mind made up... they aren't going to sell out. Brother J has taken things to a completely different level. Not concerned with commercial success or radio airplay, X-Clan stays true to it's roots. Many people won't like this music. Those who fiend for catchy candy lyrics or music with gangster themes will probably not be fans. However, if you want to hear quality hip hop with a purpose, take the time to educate yourself about X-Clan. This album follows tradition. X-Clan has changed a bit musically over the years, but nothing has changed in the message. Lyrics that will wrap around your mind, beats that will pound in your chest... and of course there is Brother J.

This album is an instant classic and a must have for anyone who likes hip hop with a cause. In my opinion, X-Clan has solidified it's standing as the greatest hip hop group to ever exist. They are also probably the greatest group that you've never heard, or never bothered to check out. Well, don't sleep any longer. Brother J has some things to tell you... and trust me, you'll be enriched by listening. I don't think I have heard one curse word on this album, yet it is probably the hardest hardcore album out since their last album. My 6 year old daughter loves X-Clan, and I love that she can listen to it without having her mind polluted.

It doesn't matter which songs are the best or what I like about Mainstream Outlaw. It's great from top to bottom. Just when you think that X-Clan can never do any better... they always come through with more. They always remain at the top. As Brother J says, he is banging it for the chilrens. True indeed. We are certainly enriched by Brother J, his music is a call to the civilized.

Thank you Brother J and X-Clan. Keep banging for the chilrens.

Let me start out by saying X-Clan is very neccessary within the current state of hip-hip, and Brother J's message is always significant and consistent. I would have easily given the cd 5 stars, but the beats and music just took me out of the equation. Musically, this cd is nowhere near the last offering "Return To Mecca". What happened to the extra-terrestrial funk ride that meshes so smoothly with Brother J's voice. I was'nt able to soak up the Sun-Ra in this offering. I did'nt get the spiritual upliftment of slicing mango under the palm tree while enjoying the wonderment of my neighboring pyramid. Worldwide culture was missing. Were there any Quazedelic offerings. What about Quik? There was too much Boom Bap on this disc, and that's cool for some, but it only leaves me on the corner holding a pamphlet.

What can you say about Brother J? He is an emcee that has been doing his thang for a couple decades now. Always delivers strong intelligent lyrics that makes you respect his style as well as learn something while you are listening. Brother J is the true definition of an emcee because he is versatile enough to last and adapt over all these years without compromising his manhood for money. This 2009 release is dope. the beats are good and the lyrics are dope as well. I will never stop supporting X-Clan and you shouldn't either.

Brother J has always been a gifted verbalist. It sounds odd not hearing Professor X on an X-Clan joint, but the beats, lyrics and guest appearances make up for most of it.

I highly recommend this to all hip-hop fans.

The Blackwatch movement submits it's entry into the '09 hip-hop foray with Mainstream Outlawz. To start off this is a pretty good effort, I thought it is better than their last effort "Return From Mecca", a stronger more cohesive effort than that one, Brother J is as always very tight on the mic, with that distinct voice of his, and the production here is not bad either, while it's not like hearing Premier in his prime (but what really compares to that?) Brother J uses a bunch of pretty much unknown cats to handle his beats here, guys like Touch Tone (not Tony Touch), Dj Slip, Craig RIP, The Are, and Phil Blackman to name a few...these guys lay down some decent tracks for Brother J to get his message across, and you know by now if you know anything about the X-Clan that the pro-black messages will still be there to teach you something. Overall I really like this effort and outside of a few missteps I'm ranking it at 4 stars and would highly recommend it for your collection whether your just getting your first taste of the group or if you've been down for years, although I do admit that if this is your introduction to them then you need to pick up their first two albums(To The East Blackwards and X-Odus) as well for the complete flavor of the group, (RIP Professor X and Suga Shaft).. my top five off of this one are:

Keys To Ur City
Thru My Eyez featuring Bun B(of UGK)
Night 2 Day
Still Up In The Game
The Lord Spits

While I'm not much of the typical hip hop listener, I'm always amazed to discover a group to my CD player only to find out they've been around almost as long as I have. X-Clan is one of those groups, and I have been amazed to find out that these guys have been kicking in the hip hop scene since 1990.

This is an act that continues to illustrate the variety on the Suburban Noize label. Where we have rip hop, metal, and more, there's room for some straight up hip hop. I thoroughly enjoyed the organs on "Thru My Eyez", and the head bobbing beats through out the album. This is a group about some real hip hop, rather the gangster lyrics that are prevalent today.

If you're a fan of some straight hip hop in line of Del tha Funkee Homosapien, and something to jam to, this album is worth a look if you're looking to mix it up in your music collection.