Customer Reviews

I Told You So

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Emcee... Artist... Novelist... Wordsmith... these are the terms that come to mind when I wanna describe Chino XL, the illest rapper of our time or any other... like most other fans, I'm a huge fanatic who's been truly captivated by Chino's craft, he has the grossest, most controversial lyrics I've ever heard... his abilities with wordplay, punchlines 'n metaphors/simile's is un-matched, and this album is the true showcase of his talent, combining ill, thought-prevoking lyricism with some of the nicest beats as well... Chino's lyrics are so deep 'n rich in their meanings that literally every bar has some sort of story behind it... and when you hear him spit each line with his raw, Jersey accented flow, you sit in amazement at how nasty his delivery is.... Chino could make any rapper in the game look foolish 'n proves why he's on top of his game, but he's still underground due to all the controversy of his lines... these are my 2 fave bars from this album, because the wordplay is absolutely unreal:

"You liars, I'm tired of your fake drug dealin' tales
The only time yall "See Grams"(SeaGrams) is when yall drink them ginger ales"
--- from "Nunca", WHOA this line is insane if you know the drug 'n alcohol references....

"I died a thousand deaths to posess skills such as this
With delivery like where Arabs live: "In Tents"(Intense)"
--- from "I Told You So", what more can I say.... the undisputed King of Wordplay

This album is a must have for Chino XL fans, and definitely worth checkin' out if you're into real, raw, hardcore lyricism... and don't forget to look for his new album "Poison Pen", you can download the first single "Wordsmith" from various sources...

Chino's back finally after what seemed to take forever for a sophomore release... in 'I Told You So' Chino continues to bash people with his stomach twisting metaphors and he has better beats to rhyme over. But sometimes it seems like Chino's a bit tentative to diss people, especially rappers in particular, and he almost makes himself look like a sex symbol in this CD, but that doesn't hurt the CD in the slightest. Every Chino fan and there momma said that this CD isn't like his previous one and they are right, but Chino is still dope as hell and he serves us with new style.

Metro Records, You EFFED UP the tracklisting in this, here is the REAL listing: 1-Rude Awakening 2-What You Got 3-History 4-Nunca 5-A$$hole Intro? 6-A$$hole 7-That Would Be Me 8-Last Laugh 9-Let 'Em Live 10-Baby Momma 11-Sorry 12-Chino XL 13-Chinophone part 1 14-You Don't Want It 15-Chinophone part 2 16-I Told You So 17-Don't Say A Word 18-Chino Fans 19-It's My World 20-A$$ In An Instant 21-Chianardo DiCaprio 22-Skit 23-Bonus Track?? 24-Be Here....

I Was VERY disappointed that "Water" wasn't on this CD, neither is "Beef"...but there's still a lot of good material on this CD to enjoy...

personal favorite tracks: "Sorry", "Chino XL", "I Told You So", "Nunca", "It's My World"... and everything else, but these i think had the best lyrics...

I'm Out... Mind Power!!!

When you hear the name chino xl, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? ...ummm...the illest punchlines ever spitten, agressive and heartfelt delivery, i dont give an damn attitude. Well, all of that and more is displayed on this album. For someone that has been listening to chino ever since he first came out in 95, this is just what the doctor ordered, especially considering that fact that he finally got the dope production that he needed. Now, the album may not be as dark or as conceptual as his first CD "here to save you all" which was an absolute classic, this one doesnt fall short one bit. Tracks like Nunca (arguabely the best song on the album), Dont want it, that would be me & what you got, really show how chino is no.1 when it comes to articulating a verse and displaying how "its not always what you say, but how you say it". As an emcee myself, chino xl is the by far my biggest influence and this CD showcases why he is so critically acclaimed on the underground scene. And for all you people who thought that chino can only spit punchlines one after the other, and nothing else, listen to the song "water"(which is cut from the original released album) and "be here", and "how it goes". Here are a few of the punchlines on this album:

*I'll turn on channel 2 if i wanna C-B-S
*Im wack and i'll just blame it all on god, like Mase (LMAO!)
*The only thing yall outline in chalk is a game of hop scotch
*my style is aids, half of yall got it just none of yall is sayin sh*t
*I'll make think you're on the beach, the way i make you see-shells
*birds fly upside down over your head, cuz you aint worth sh*tting on
*I experience road rage, walking at slow pace
*It'll take the whole cast of E.R to have your ass walking again

This is a gem of an album. BUY IT!! Support good hip hop people!

Another ill performance from CHINO XL. If you can believe, his lines got even better from his first LP. Production lacked but CHINO made up for it Lyrically. Chino is way ahead of his time skill wize he just needs better production next time around. Still a CLASSIC as far as I'm concerned.

Chino has never disappointed when it comes to lyrics. This album is no different. The listener must constantly be aware, or they take the risk of missing the next punchline. A few of the tracks were suspect (but that's what remixes are for). Chino says what's on his mind and is a surprisingly good storyteller. His boasting and bragging don't come off...like other artists. He has proven himself true to hip hop from numerous appearances on The Wake Up Show which also served the purpose of keeping his name fresh in the minds of true heads. One word of advice is to not let so much time lapse between releases next time or he may become insignificant. Overall, this is a solid effort.

I'm so happy that I was lucky enough to hear this album since most people won't ever know how hot this albums is. U would think with this terrible year in rap music that most people would give underground rappers like Chino XL a try, but instead they waste time & money on artist like Jadakiss & fabolous who don't ever live up 2 the hype once their album is release. I'm not going 2 go through ever track but if your rap fan who enjoy pressing the rewind button every 30 second instead of the fast-forward button get this album. The production is good consider the fact that your average top-producers like neptunes & timbaland wasn't feature in it. Chino doesn't just spit punch line on this album he also display his skills of story-telling & proves that he can write a song not just kick a freestyle. Will this album go platinum? Naw i doubt that but if your a rap fan who enjoy sick punch lines & metaphors like "your niggaz couldn't be star/ if u was thrown my chinese ninjas". Buy, steal, or download this album, cause in my opnion along with Jay-Z "The Blueprint" It the best rap albums of the year (so Far)

As u've heared it's not dark like the last album, I like it better though this album is the best album of 2001. Chino is one of the dopest lyricist ever and he proves it yet again on this album. Though Chino is imitated no one can capture his true essence, "If imitation was an acid there'd be nothing left of me but jewlry, 52 teeth and a belt buckle, my skills are to die for..."(Chino XL). If Your a real hiphop fan you wont be disapointed this album is worth more than what they are selling it for.

When it comes to punchlines, Chino XL probably has enough to fill a warehouse. Listening to Chino's album "I Told You So", he spits with a vingance and holds nothing back when rhyming. He sort of reminds me of an in-your-face Lord Finesse type lyricist. His lyrics are garunteed to grab any listener's attention. If you ever sit down and and listen to his words, you'll be amazed on how talented he was -"I leave n****z confused like homeless dudes on house arrest"- that took a second to get to me, but I laughed when I understood what he was saying.

Even the skits are funny in sort of a way. There is one where he talks trash to his audience while on stage, and there is one where some girl calls in about a date with Chino. You have to hear them, becasue they are funny.

I really can't think of anything that is bad about this album. There are a few skippable tracks that I find at the beginning of the CD like "What You Got". Other than that, I find this album near flawless. I find Chino's flow to be excellent. Don't believe some idiot who say he rhymes off beat, because I can assure you that he doesn't. I don't know about the situations with his record company, but their issues really kept his hands tied for a while with this album, but I guess they allowed this album to be redistributed. I got my copy for less than 10 bucks, and I see some being sold for around that price. I believe the most you should pay is $20 for this here.

Side Note: Amazon's track listing and the listing in the linear notes are incorrect. Here is the correct one:

1. Rude Awakening
2. What You Got
3. History
4. Nunca
5. Concert (skit)
6. Beef
7. That Would Be Me
8. Last Laugh (featuring B. Real)
9. Let 'Em Live (featuring Kool G Rap)
10. Baby Momma
11. Sorry
12. Chino XL
13. Chinophone, Part 1 (skit)
14. You Don't Want It
15. Chinophone, Part 2 (skit)
16. I Told You So
17. Don't Say A Word
18. Chino Fans (skit)
19. It's My World
20. A**-In-An-Assistant (skit)
21. Chinardo Di Caprio
22. Outro
23. How It Goes (Bonus)
24. Be Here (Bonus)

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

Favorite Tracks: Last Laugh, Let 'Em Live, Sorry, Chino XL, You Don't Want It, I Told You So, Don't Say A Word, Be Here

Honorable Mention: A**-In-An-Instant, Chinophone, Concert

Peace Everyone!!

Chino is my idol and this cd is my bible....nuff said

although very differant from his first joint "Here to save you all" this album in my opinion is equally ill! his mutiple play on words grips you and makes you listen so carefully to catch the illness of the lyrics! a true lyrical genius! chino isnt scared to say whats on his mind cleverly disses almost everyone in the business without too much offense! the track "Sorry" featuring Shunta shows his art of storytelling with a deep lesson in domestic life! The flow is as hot as ever with his unquestionalble abillity to ride any beat thown before him! there are also some very funny skits "Chinophone" not just mindless humour but all contain his opinions on aspctes of the game! Again Chino expresses his fight with his identity being half black half latino! Chino has somthing for everybody and is a true lyrical genius! its about time he was given his due props! Like many other true lyrical talents in the game eg. Canibus(IOAT). He hasnt got the commercial power of Ja Rule because he is everything Hip Hop is all about! one of 'the last action heros' of the wonderful thing we call True Hip Hop