Lyrical Gangsta

by Ini Kamoze

Overview

The title of this album gives away Kamoze's clear intention: to continue cashing in on the massive success of his 1994 single "Here Comes the Hotstepper" (the second line of which was "I am the lyrical gangster"). It may not have been as much of a commercial success, but with Lyrical Gangsta Kamoze does do an effective job of continuing to develop his uniquely aggressive reggae-hip-hop fusion. On several tracks he seems to be trying just a bit too hard to prove his gangster bona fides: when he repeatedly drops the F-bomb on "Hole in Ya Head" it sounds forced and awkward, and "Kildatsoundboy," which is built on a highly effective adaptation of the "Ring the Alarm" rhythm, is just a bit over the top, lyrically speaking. But his duet performance with Guru (of Gang Starr fame) is a great juxtaposition of two very different rapping styles, and "King Selassie" is a surprisingly sincere and sweetly melodic example of rootswise dancehall. The remix of "Hot Steppa" and the dubwise "Imagine...In Dub" are also both well worth hearing. This album may not be Kamoze's best, but it's not bad at all. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	08/01/1995
Label:	Eastwest / Elektra
UPC:	0075596176422
Rank:	98023

Tracks

1. Trust Me
2. Hole in Ya Head
3. Listen Me Tic
4. Don't Burn Ya Bridge
5. He Jus Jokin
6. Love Em Doe?
7. Who Goes There
8. Ballistic Affair
9. How U Livin
10. King Selassie
11. Hot Stepper
12. Imagine...In Dub
13. Turn Me On
14. Kildatsounboy
15. Hotter This Year

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ini Kamoze   Primary Artist,Vocals

Technical Credits

9 Sounds   Producer
Tom Coyne   Mastering
Sean Coffey   Assistant Engineer
Alli   Design,Artwork,Art Direction
Solgie   Engineer
Kwaku Alston   Photography
Philip "Fatis" Burrell   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Ken "Duro" Ifill   Engineer
Ini Kamoze   Composer,Arranger
Bobby Womack   Composer
Axel Niehaus   Engineer