Customer Reviews

Stereotypez

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4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
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Special Teamz is a supergroup made up of Ed O.G. and his buddies Slaine and Jaysaun. And usually when an "old" rapper comes back with new material, the results are less than stellar: KRS-One and Marley Marl's Hip-Hop Lives wasn't classic like it was supposed to be, Lords of the Underground's House of Lords was tired, and Too $hort's Get Off the Stage isn't even worth mentioning. But Stereotypez is pretty solid for the most part.

Actually, now that I think about it, there are only a few songs that stand out. But the ironic thing is that the best tracks are the songs that have otherwise played-out titles, like "Get Down" and "Clap Your Handz". "Three Kingz" (which samples Run-DMC's "Down with the King") and "One Call" are pretty dope too, as is "Home 2" (although I don't remember ever hearing of a "Home 1").

It's not to say that everything else is wack, but there ARE a few missteps, especially the obligatory rock-rap song "Gun in My Hand" (featuring Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed). And although I realize the track is called "Stereotypez", I'm not exactly sure what they're trying to accomplish with that song. "Pushaman" is a metaphor that has been done much better in the past (Mr. Mayfield, anyone?), and "Race Riot" is just bizarre. Finally, while "Classical" isn't bad per se, the numerous samples don't have any kind of cohension.

Stereotypez should please fans of underground rap, but it isn't without its flaws. B.I.F.

Anthony Rupert

With all the overhyped, 12-year old, backstreet boy singing rap/mainstream that came out in '07, this album sat unnoticed and underrated (over here at least).

This is hip hop. Support these cats.

Special Teamz consists of Boston veteran Ed O.G. (an African-American MC best known for the early 90s hits "I Got to Have It" and "Be a Father to Your Child," a sadly forgotten classic), JaySaun (a biracial MC who shows a great deal of promise on Marco Polo's debut CD Port Authority) and Slaine (a white rapper who's also a member of the La Coka Nostra clique). The group's debut, Stereotypez, is a decent effort worth a listen, but gets bogged down due to so-so production that fails to match the intensity at which they trade verses and failed concept songs ("Stereotypez," "Race Riot") that seem more forced for the sake of a concept than music. All in all, this CD is not a bad album, but you can't help but be felt feeling that Special Teamz might be best served hiring a head coach to help them take it to the next level.

Special Teamz' verses are unlike anything else out there right now. The rhymes are well thought-out, and anyone can relate to the stuff they lay out on the track; "Stereotypez" is definitely a breath of fresh air, conceptually speaking. I don't really think the production quality is sub-par at all; if anything, Jayceeoh is one of the most overlooked DJ's in the game. All three guys have a different sound and scheme to them - I heard the first mixtape they dropped, and I've been hooked since. 978, 617, 508 - stand up to this.