Customer Reviews

There's Something About Remy: Based on True Story

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I got this on the strength of "Conceited" because I think that's a really cool, fresh-sounding song. Plus, I thought Remy's rhymes on "Lean Back" were the best part of that song. What a boring disappointment. Maybe I didn't listen to this album enough times, but each song sounded pretty much the same to me. Boring, noisy, monotonous describes this album well. It exemplifies what is wrong with most rap records: only one good song, a ton of filler and skits.

Download the single and save yourself the cash.

Let's face it; female rap has been dead for a while now. With Lil' Kim competing with the Jackson's for most plastic surgeries, Foxy Brown being deaf, Eve more concerned with fashion and Hollywood and Lauryn Hill being just plain crazy, there aren't many female front runners in hip hop. But Remy Ma looks promising.

After the untimely death of her mentor Big Pun, Remy's career was put on hold. With the exception of a few guest spots here and there she was virtually unheard from and looked likely to suffer the same fate as most femcees who never get a chance to blossom. Unexpectedly and almost out of nowhere her verse on the Grammy nominated #1 hit "Lean Back" sky-rocketed her into fame and made her a household name.

Now comes the test, its easy for a female rapper to shine as long as a male counterpart is in the picture due to the male dominated genre of rap but a true sign of blah blah is if she can survive on her own.

Remy Ma, formerly Remy Martin definitely has all the ingredients to be successful, the sexiness of Lil' Kim, The swagger of Foxy Brown, and the crossover appeal of Eve, and from track to track she balances these varying contradictions out with ease.

On the Scott Storch helmed title track "Concieted(There's Something About Remy)" she's almost as cocky on the microphone as Kanye West is off of it. The braggadocio is a little hard to swallow at times, but thanks to the sparse production, which in this case works, this track is undeniable, and you'll be singing along before you even notice it.

On "Feel So Good" a radio friendly song that features a smooth hook from newcomer Ne-Yo Remy shows there is a softer side to balance her hard exterior. Though most of the album is very hard it does has its softer moments. "Feels So Good" is reminiscent of rival Foxy Brown's "Get Me Home". "Thug Love" which features late rapper Big Pun, is an Alchemist produced track that is an instant highlight.

"Tight" finds Remy & Fat Joe trading bragging rights on a track that if given proper promotion could rival the club success of "Lean Back". But that doesn't mean this album is a style over substance affair, in fact the album has its share self-conscious tracks. "What's Going On" featuring a soulful hook from Keyshia Cole is a poignant song which finds Remy choosing between having an abortion or keeping her unborn child, While "My Life" addresses the downsides of fame.


This album is pretty good, and Remy could have been on her way to stardom if not for the label disputes she's having, it's sad because this album is pretty good.

On the real when I first heard Remy on Big Pun's Yeaahh Baby album, I thought she was cool plus I heard some underground stuff of hers that wasnt bad. But the difference between the person I heard on Yeaah Baby and the one I'm hearing on this album is the one on Pun's posthumous album had potential, this person right here is just flat out lazy. Listen to the singles she released(Conceited, Whuteva and Feels So Good). Weak! The Good: She spits some decent bars on She's Gone and the David Banner-assisted I'm. She spits well over a sinister beat on Bilingual(which feautures Ivy Queen). Even though the morbid s*** she was saying on that track would make Eminem blush she put effort into it. On What's Going On(featuring Keyshia Cole), Remy talks about being pregnant and the stress she went through and Keyshia Cole wasnt too shabby on the chorus. Still is another track where tells stories of her problems with her baby father, her mother and stepfather. What's Going On and Still are the best songs on the album because they are something different from the norm that she gives you throughout the album. Honorable Mention: Thug Love(I could have sworn Lil Kim and Twista had a song by the same title) featuring Big Pun(RIP) and Guilty. The Bad: Tight is a certified snoozer. Even though the beat provided by Cool and Dre was nice, Remy's lyrics and that hook leave something to be desired. Crazy is another snoozer but this time the beat is just as weak as Remy's rhyming. Ne-Yo provides a good chorus for Feels So Good and the beat was fairly decent but Remy made the song weak with her incessant droning. Her first single Whuteva was doodoo, her rhymes on the track were lazy and lines like /Terror Squad aint Brady Bunch/ and I aint Marsha/ make every claim that she is the best thing since sliced bread seem laughable. The Ugly: Conceited is the worst track on the album! The corny beat provided by Scott Storch, the infantile lyrics provided by Remy and why does this track sound like a female version of Right Said Fred's I'm Too Sexy(Im too sexy for my shirt anyone?)? Conceited is twice as corny as I'm Too Sexy. Lights, Camera, Action is another throwaway track with stale commercial-type production and lazy lyrics. Secret Location takes the number two spot as the worst tracks on the album. Boring coke rhymes over a rinky-dinky beat. Priceless.
Bottom Line: File Remy Ma's There's Something About Remy under rightfully slept-on albums. Besides the songs I mentioned in the good section, she doesnt offer much but lazy rapping over decent beats. How many times does she mention wearing Pink Tims in one song? How many times does she mention a basement with a stripper pole in it throughout the album? Why all the hype around her when she doesnt sound as good as she did on Pun's last album or on her underground stuff? When I first heard her early s*** I thought she was was tight but after hearing this album and that garbage a** Terror Squad True Story album I seriously doubt that she wrote those rhymes. She's conceited, she has no reason!

She's conceited, she got a reason... I LOVE Remy! She has really clever rhymes in her rapping - that's the reason why I also love Shawnna, Lil' Kim, and Rasheeda. I just love when rappers have found their own style of rapping and have found their nitche. Other rappers' rap styles and rhyming that I love and are clever are Pitbull, Jim Jones, and Ludacris. I hope Remy's around for a while, she's awesome. I LOVE the songs "Conceited," "Tight," "Whateva," "I'm," and "Lights, Camera, Action" just to name my top favorites. I'm glad Terror Squad gave Remy a good start, and now that Remy's released her 1st solo album I can't wait to hear her next one. This album is awesome but there were more slower songs than I would have liked (and I also don't care for the skits, which are really just filler), so that's why I gave it 4 out of 5 stars - no offense, Remy I still love ya! If more of the album were upbeat songs, then I would've given it 5 stars. Thanks, Rem - you rock and we love you! :)

"..See it's all about me, I don't wanna talk about it. But if you'd like to hear it here it go I wrote a song about.." From piercing punchlines to gastric guest-appearances, the first lady of the Terror Squad (Remy Martin n.k.a. Remy Ma), has been a masterpiece 6 years in the making since her alliance with the late Big Pun. A woman of many talents, Remy has been determined to deem herself worthy of not only being a great female rapper, but a great rapper period. Looking amongst the ranks of fellow NY natives Jadakiss and labelmate Fat Joe, Remy's incredible A+, street-credible delivery is distinguished amongst any other voice in hip-hop.

Often compared to her native NY female counterparts Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown, Remy Ma grabbed the female rap game in the choke hold since her sickening spit on "Ante Up (remix)" and hasn't let go since. Being a huge fan of both Kim and Fox Boogie, one can admit that Remy Ma does shine bright all on her own because of her candid, "show-offy" delivery and her street, rugged rhymes. Rocking a crown in her debut video for "Whateva," it is hard to say whether Remy will climb her way to the top of New York and rep the crown. But no matter what you've heard about this lady, there is an undeniable talent and something about her that makes you say "there's something about this girl."

Whether you're referring to the blonde to black scheme in her hair or her sexy, but street style of dress, Remy is a bona fide superstar. With her debut "There's Something About Remy: Based on a True Story," Remy shows us all just what that 'something' is.

On burning tracks like the lead single "Whateva," "Lights, Camera, Action," "Conceited," "Tight," and "Feels So Good," Remy Ma dabbles a little and shows off her sexy, sleek side with these positive club-bangers. However, this album is "based on a true story" and what would a true story be without the downs in addition to the ups. Songs like "What's Going On," "Thug Love," "Guilty," and "Still" propels her from being the girl next door to the girl in the struggle giving it to your raw.

At all costs, Remy Ma is what the female rap game has been missing for a long time because there aren't many women who carry the game too far. Women like Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, Shawnna, Missy Elliot, Da Brat, Trina, and Rah Digga have been holding it down for years but much room is needed to be made for the next female phenomenon. So to conclude this review, i'll just quote directly from the Source and let the words speak for herself...

"Remy Ma's that b***h, plus the camp is here...matter fact call me K.I.S.S. cause the champ is here.."

Remy Ma has been like bubbling water under the heavy lid that has kept her unseen and unheard for the most part. The escape from those confines into the hip-hop world has been a hard one. After seeing her mentor Big Pun die at an early age and during the pinnacle of his career, Remy has been left on the sidelines for years. The infighting between Fat Joe and Cuban Link didn't help matters either. But her presence on the monster hit "Lean Back" help lift that lid right off and put her in the driver's seat to an actual release date. Anybody can have a release date...just ask Charli Baltimore who had two albums that never saw the light of day despite there being release dates. But luckily for Remy, there was enough confidence by the powers that be to actually release There's Something About Remy. And although it isn't as stellar as many would like, the album still has what it takes to please her long-time and newly-acquired fans.

"She's Gone," "Feels Good" featuring R&B newcomer Ne-Yo, and "What's Going On" featuring Keyshia Cole are easily the best tracks on this album for future radio cuts. "Whuteva" produced by Swizz Beats was a decent choice for the first single, but the followup song "Conceited" produced by Scott Storch was only mediocre at best. Even though "Thug Love" is comical, it does feel good to hear lyrics from the late great Big Pun again. "I'm" is another decent mix of the Dirty South flavor with an East Coast sound. "Crazy" is another radio-friendly contender with an old school sample as the backdrop. And "Still" serves as a retrospect of Remy's life leading up to today.

Regrettably, trashy tracks make their way on Remy Ma's debut album. "Lights, Camera, Action" will have you running for the mute button, the 'next track' button, or the power button immediately. "Bilingual" featuring Ivy Queen is the latest failed attempt at trying to add another lingo in an already wack rap song. "Guilty" is too short (clocking in at 1:59....should this have been an interlude?), "Tight" with the annoying Fat Joe is practically self-explanatory, and "Secret Location" needed a little more perfecting in the production area.

Although there aren't many female emcees in the game anymore, Remy Ma still lacks the total package of the greats that have come before her. Maybe leaving Terror Squad and getting with a more diverse arrangement of mega-producers like Dr. Dre, Kanye West, or Jermaine Dupri would solve some of her problems. But all in all, There's Something About Remy isn't a total failure and could be enjoyed by those who like her previous work. As far as her career though, relying on the leadership of Fat Joe could leave Remy on the Rocks

For real...Remy is the hottest female MC right now...I mean Kim has skills, but Remy has taken over. Every song on this album you can bop to. I'll break it down..

1. Pun's Words - I can't really give this any points because it's just the Late Pun introducing Remy

2. She's Gone- This is the song that let me know...I was going to love this album. It's straight raw rapping to me, she's saying whatever is on her mind. It's almost like her own introduction to the album, it's hot..i didn't even pay attention to the instrumental. 5/5

3. Lights, Camera, Action- I wasn't feeling the beat too much..i felt like they were trying to do too much with it..but her vocals/rhymes was hot..it didn't even matter 3/5

4. Tight- Hot beat, chorus is hot..more of the conceited Remy. But she makes it flow, definately somthing you can turn up in the car. Fat Joe's added vocals is nice tough too. 4/5

5. Whuteva- First single, most of yall already know it's hot, maybe a little played out at this point..but it's still hot..nice beat.. 4/5

6. SKIT

7. Conceited - this is the second single, it's crazyyyy it's one of those songs that if you feel like you aren't better than most...you will after listening to it (if your a female at least ha) beat is hot too. 5/5

8. Feels So Good - NICEEE Beat...had an old school feel..I'm loving this, I've never heard Remy in like a rap love song..so to say the least I was more anxious on this one...Ne-Yo is hot on this song... good pick 5/5

9. I'm - It's hot. Shows her gangsta 4/5

10. Thug Love- This puts you in the mind of Feels So Good because, she doesn't usually rap about love ..but this one is even more sentimental...I'm guessing this is an older song because Pun is on the track..but regardless it's still hot. Beat is nice 4/5

11. Secret Location- Like number 9, shows her gangster..hot tho 4/5

12. SKIT

13. Bilingual - Definately hot, Remy rappin in spanish? hot..She sounds the most thorough on this track, featuring Ivy Queen..They both sound like they're about to go rob something or smack someone ha BEAT IS NICE 5/5

14. SKIT

15. Guilty - original..nice rap story..You will listen to it..again n again ... beat is good 5/5

16. Crazy- I'm sure a lot of people can relate to this song...when I say this I mean, there's a lot of things in your life that can make you feel crazy...nice sample n beat 5/5

17. What's Going On - She got 3 points just by putting keyshia on the track..and Remy sealed the other 2 with her flow..it's a good song. The funny thing is..you know keyshia is on it, just by the beat..It kinda reminds you of one of her songs. 5/5

18. Still- This is an okay track, it seems like this track she wanted to stand out the most, but I dont think it compared to the rest of the cd. This song sounds like a couple of songs i've heard somewhere else... I could feel her tho..beat is ok 3/5

Really don't care for female emcees I give her respect for shoutin bx all day and for not talkin about d!ck or how good she sucks it like trina, kim & fox or use a tom boy imagine for attention like brat or claim she spitting the hardest and use girly production like eve.

Remy is the rawest after rah digga on the mainstream but there nothing creative or different here. love song, street joints, ballad joint, even a south joint and mainstream attention type songs.

2.5/5 for raw ill true lyricism without the happy days feel and rawness of the old days when hip-hop was fresh, buy rah-digga and underground female emcee jean grae.

This CD is my favorite so far in 2006....songs like I'm, Conceited, Still, Guilty, Crazy....WOW....bought it on a whim....this is DIRTY SOUTH at it's BEST...Keep it coming REMY !!!!!

I like remy, this female can rap, but the beats aren't all that, i've never been a fan of Terror Squad's (the group she with) beats, they all sound the same (lean back) and don't have any character, but other than that, she has some bangers.
i believe she needs to sign somewhere else enable to do a better album with better beats, and get recognized a little more than she is