Customer Reviews

This Is Now

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

 

 

I've been listening to hip hop for almost twenty years and I remeber when Craig G first came onto the hip hop scene with the juice crew. Then he dropped into obscuity and became one of the worlds most respected underground freestyle rhymers. This album starts out with a bang with the song "bang anybody". It's a hot battle song but the rest of the album suffers from inconsistent production and he tries to cover too many bases. You know he got the club song, the street song, the I did this chick song etc. This cd isn't all bad, but it lacks the attitude and point of view that can turn this Cd into a classic.

Probably the only Craig G LP you can still find on the shelves and when you do, cop it! If you're a long-time fan like myself and have been down since the kingpin, its worth owning no doubt. If you are new to the veteran MC this is a great LP to start with. Then, go do your homework and find his other material its waaayyyy better than this.(THIS IS NOW is still quality material to have.) Peace

First bursting into the rap scence with the Juice Crew as a teen in the late 80's, Craig G was one of the most feared on the mic and a king in battles and freestyles, then he kind of disappeared, poppin up on a song here and there. Then he wrote alot of the battles in the movie "8 Mile" and came out with this album. Packed with 17 songs, it has no classics, 7 are ok, 1 I skip and the rest are good. Guests rap on 6 songs (2 Craig G isn't even on) but you still get a good amount of Craig G, and it doesn't take long to see he still has killer lyrics and can still tear up the mic. Production is where the albums slumps even with some big names although they're the ones who supply the better beats. DJ Sage & Curt Cazal each do 2 songs. ALChemist, Rockwilder, DJ Premier, Marly Marl, Large Professor, Nottz, Arabian Knighy, Beatminerz and a few others I never heard of all do 1 song. A good album to have for his fans.

#1 - 9 (nice beat and killer battle lyrics)
#2 - 7 (about grimy girls)
#3 - 8
#4 - 8 (f/ Dirt Diggla)
#5 - 7.5 (f/ Mr Cheeks)
#6 - 8.5 (Warbucks solo -- nice beat)
#7 - 7.5
#8 - 8.5 (nice old school beat)
#9 - 8 (about a bad day)
#10 - 7 (Will Pack solo)
#11 - 8.5 (f/ Large Professor who also supplies a nice beat)
#12 - 4 (f/ Aru Ra)
#13 - 9 (deeper song about doing it all over again)
#14 - 7.5 (f/ Krumbsnatcha)
#15 - 7.5
#16 - 7
#17 - (just Craig G drunk freestylin' -- has some funny lines)

b. 1971 --- Queensbridge, NY
check all my reviews

It's been a long time since most people have heard about Craig-G... or has it? Many did not realize that they were listening to his fine pen craftings in the box office hit "8 Mile" until they popped in the DVD and caught a glimpse of the freestyle legend behind the scenes on the set. So "This Is Now" and Craig is here to show you that he is still relevant and hungry for the microphone. Anyone who ever thought that he was only a battle emcee will quickly be silenced when they listen to the DJ Premier blessed "Ready Set Begin" with its political undertones, and creative rhyme patterns. Fans of storytelling will love his well crafted tales on the Alchemist produced "Wrong Chick" as well as the funny tale of a day gone wrong on "Damn This Day." Domingo brings the heat on "Do It Over Again" with a soulful sample to enhance Craig's biographical tale. Hardcore fans need not worry either as Craig drops a number of bangers in the form of "Love Is Love ft. Large Professor" and the Beatminerz blessed "Make You Say Yes" ft. Krumb Snatcha. Covering all bases, Craig takes it to the club wit heat on "Now That's What's Up" featuring the charismatic Mr. Cheeks, and Grammy award winning fire on Rockwilder's "Stomped." This album has something for every hip hop fan, and should not be missed! A veteran gives us another classic album, not to mention, the last album to be recorded in the hallowed halls of D&D Studios. Go cop three of them!!!