Young Roscoe Philaphornia [Enhanced]

Roscoe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 10, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B00009L548
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,667 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Roscoe's Philaphorna: the future of Westcoast lyricism?, December 23, 2003

By 

LeRoy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Young Roscoe Philaphornia (Audio CD)

Roscoe first jumped to attention in 1999, aged only 14, he blew away me and most people with an earth-shaking verse on Kurupt's "I Call Shots", spitting fire: "Swearin y'all can see me but that's just like seein Elvis / I grab to crick a back and crack a n--a 'cross the pelvis / My rhymes is dangerous, hazardous to health / I make a n--a murder twenty kids and cap his own self". Armed with dangerous rhymes like this, it's not strange why many people immediately compared him to his older brother. Given the way Roscoe was also born in Philly, but eventually raised in Cali, this gives him the same east-west blend that helped (and hindered) Kurupt. So it was only a matter of time before we saw a debut album. This takes the name of Young Roscoe Philaphorna, and it has been pushed back more times than a Rakim album - it was originally slated for an October 2001 release, but on June the 10th it finally found a release. Could the potent young emcee hold his own throughout a whole album and would he live up to the hype created by himself?

I classify Roscoe into the midst of a number of talented, young Westcoast lyricists coming up in the game such as Sly Boogy, Crooked I and Planet Asia. Whenever he's dropped verses before Philaphorna they've always been on point, but the question is does he continue his progress on his debt album? In short, yes. Roscoe can ride virtually any beat, for example on LT Hutton's insanely fast, oriental-sounding beat on former lead single "Shakedown". The eighteen year old drops a quite stunning triple-cadence flow with lyrics pelted out at top-speed... it almost reminds me of *whisper* Pharoahe Monch. Ó Seconds", a good opening song, finds Roscoe once again spitting rawness over a simple and hard-hitting Fingazz beat: "Breakin' em off, like umbilical cords / takin' em off the billboards, charging through at full force / Head first, walk `em, torture them high to death / ready to scorch them and leave them stiff like starch"

Given that this album is 13 tracks long, it's pleasantly surprising that there are not really any weak songs. Now how long has it been since I've been able to say that about a rap album? I like this album considerably, so much I'm prepared to nit-pick. What hinders Philaphorna is that `Sco is lured into nondescript writing when the tempo drops and the commercial stakes increase, such as the single "Head to Toe". He sounds somewhat lacklustre, and it's a contrast with the high energy kinetics previously demonstrated. And apart from the storytelling of "Last Night" Roscoe doesn't really dig very deep or vary his subject matter that much. Ok he's only 18, but some introspective lyrics might have been a nice touch.

I'll sound biased saying this, but Kurupt's calming influence has otherwise helped this CD. Not only has he executive produced and helped sequence the album, he drops background vocals on several tracks and provides the hidden remix of the classic Kurupt song that I mentioned at the top of the review: "I Call Shots II". Roscoe's battle capabilities obviously derived from his older brother shines here, he literally tears his new verses apart with venom like: "I snort Anthrax / transports sacks of raw like Amtrak" and "When I see bling-bling I snatch it and pawn it / Ching-ching add it to my wallet, I'm heartless". Yeah, ouch... in an era where a hundred lesser emcees have blown up because of their endorsement of bling-bling, it's a brave demolishment job from Roscoe of a "style" of Hip Hop he could easily have been tempted to adopt to push units. All I needed on this otherwise excellent remix is a new verse from Kurupt to complete things.

However, the production on Philaphorna is very good as is he sequencing: it flows smootly with nice variety, and the solid beats from various recognised producers is impressive. Take "Smooth Sailin'", the album's standout moment. Sampling the "Ba da ba ba baaaa" chant from Earth, Wind and Fire's "Brazilian Rhyme", this fits in perfectly alongside a truly relaxing, hypnotic synthesized beat with various soothing sound effects. Roscoe adjusts his flow and tone brilliantly to deliver smoothly flowing tales of his ambitions and life during sunny California afternoons. God, this is possibly THE song of the summer. As indicated by this standout, if you're only into grimy hip hop a la Mobb Deep or Boot Camp Clik then maybe this CD ain't for you. But cuts like "Get Flipped" are undeniably pure heat, as DJ Quik's stirring orchestral efforts enlightens the song. This is the perfect CD for summer - "It's About That Time" is a great feel-good song to chill out to. It has that Westcoast mentality. Get It!
One

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Solo Debut Effort!!, June 21, 2003

By 

Sunny Modi (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Young Roscoe Philaphornia (Audio CD)

This is a fantastic debut effort from Roscoe, younger brother of Dogg Pound Gangsta, Kurupt.

Although only an 18 year old, Roscoe does not lack talent or experience, featuring on many previous Dogg Pound collaborations with the likes of Kurupt, Daz, Bad Azz, Crooked I and Kokaine.

The album has a nice DPG feel to it, starting of with a introduction track "5 seconds" where Roscoe tells you to "press eject" if you dont like his style. The first single off the album "Head to Toe", has a very mellow feel to it, along with a catchy chorus and Kurupt featuring in the video clips, the single has potential to do well, with some productive promotion.

"It's That Time Again", features Latoya Williams, and is a true party track, with a smooth beat and flowing chorus.

Other hot tracks on the album include "Smooth Sailing", a perfect song for "Rollin' in a '63 coupe". "Shakedown" is my personal favourite off the album, a true club anthem, this track is sure to get the [people] shaking in the clubs. "Flipper" and "Last Night" prove some of Roscoe's lyrcial talent along with some nice production.

This album has all the ingredients to be a huge hit. The only down side is "Get Low", which in my opinion sounds like something of a Nelly album, but other than that this album is definately worth the price. The stand out tracks are very good, and the quality of Roscoe's lyrics and production are sure to make this album big this summer.

Sunny

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roscoe is NOTHING BUT TROUBLE, March 8, 2004

By 

liveon14887 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Young Roscoe Philaphornia (Audio CD)

I just got this CD a few days ago and I am proud to own it. I can clearly see the talent in him compared to his brother because I am a major fan of the Dogg Pound. Both the production and lyrical talent are exceptionally good here. I have to admit, I didn't know about Roscoe until he featured on 'UM DUMPIN' with 'Pac and Daz featuring the Young Assassins and I was very impressed by his lyrical talent on that song. So as you can see, I was really looking forward to this album as I know lyrics by him wouldn't disappoint me. Even though it is only 12 tracks long, there are a number of classic tracks that I must mentioned.
"5 SECONDS" is an excellent intro where Roscoe goes all out, "SMOOTH SAILIN'" is my personal favorite. I love the feel to this song and the production is INCREDIBLE, "TROUBLE" tells you why you wouldn't want to f*ck with Roscoe and "THE SHAKEDOWN" is a banger party track. I can easily say that every track is excellent but these are the tracks I enjoy best.

Too many soft rappers are out there getting the recognition many other realists should be getting. Roscoe is coming str8 out the west to represent what he believes in, I just hope all eyes focus on this guy in the future years. It's clear this guy is going to be big on the westside...