Troublez presents Tha Allstarz
Troublez Music
Rating: 3.5/5
01. I Luv The Block - Troublez, Boogie Locs & Young Trone
02. Day By Day Remix - Bay Mafia, C-Locs, Big Oso Loc & Troublez
03. Holla Out My Name - Cali Grown & Miles High
04. We Gon' Ball Remix - Game & Lil Coner
05. B.A.Y. - Frank Gucci
06. Holdin' It Down - Young Trone
07. In Your Best Interest - Nsanity
08. Side That Be The Sickest - Baby Boy Ene, Cisco & Loco C
09. Goons Stay In Motion - Evil, Leno & Hittah
10. I'd Rather - C-Locs, Bullet G & Mike D
11. 5150 - No Remorse & Troublez
12. Didn't I - Troublez, Boogie Locs & C-Locs
13. The Block I Love Pt. 2 - J-Dogg-4-Lif' & Young Tank
14. Whoa - Ace Of Spits
15. Hustlin' To Survive - Troublez, Thugzy & Select
16. 408 To The 510 - Big Oso Loc & Troublez
17. If I Die Tonight - C-Locs & Troublez
18. Fuck U Haters - Tekpot, Scrilla Mac & Fada J
In the last few years the local San Jose rap scene was very prolific, introducing to its fans talented artists and bringing worthy projects, often compilations, where one could hear new, interesting rappers. Troublez, as one of them, is repping West Side San Jose and after over a 5-year long career he wants to support less known emcees, unite the Latin rap scene and pay homage to his turf. Therefore he releases a compilation entitled "Tha Allstarz", which includes both famous Shark City representatives as well as underground figures from his hometown and vicinity of Bay Area.
The reviewed project was preceded by 5 other albums by Troublez: a debut EP, two full length solos, a mixtape and another compilation called "The Network". That's why performances by such hood celebrities as Big Oso Loc, C-Locs or Criminal Records members don't seem a big surprise. The host didn't forget to promote independent and unknown artists though, who had a chance to show off their talents. We'll hear verses by Young Tank and Boogie Locs of the up-and-coming SJ group Bay Mafia, who appeared on 3 tracks in total, presenting quite decent delivery. Except for them I was very pleased with never-before-heard Young Trone, who brought a very good solo track, and also a local trio on "Goons Stay In Motion". C-Locs (the CEO of M.A.E. label) also had his contribution in the reviewed project as he was featured on 4 cuts. I didn't only feel his lines on "If I Die Tonight", because they sounded like a freestyle. I was also deeply contented to see Frank Gucci, who's also repping western part of San Jose. This Latin gangsta rapper vanished from the scene after dropping a debut cd in 2004 called "What Goes Around Comes Around" and suddenly he brings an unheard, great, representative track. Props go to artists who I was already familiar with as they didn't disappoint me at all. Hereby I should thank Big Oso Loc (one of a few not representing SJ in here), Ace Of Spits, Cali Grown and boys from CR label. Quite an effort was also put by the album's host himself - Troublez - who was rapping on third part of the cuts leaving decent verses filled with soft, yet mature voice and slow, calm flows. What disturbs me a little in the overall cohesion of the project is a remix of "We Gon' Ball" track, whose original version was already featured on "Portraits Of A Gangster", plus it generally didn't amaze me with its sound. To the very few flaws of the album I'd also like to add kind of a wack delivery on #17 and a couple of average beats. Speaking of which, I must say that in general they present a solid quality, yet not always equal. Most often the production was rather laidback with those characteristic gentle tones usually featured on songs with Troublez, for instance "I Luv The Block", "Day By Day Remix", "Didn't I" or "Hustlin' To Survive". If you want to hear some heavier street melodies you'll find them on slaps like "B.A.Y.", "In Your Best Interest" or one of my favorite - "Whoa" by Ace Of Spits. The production was usually handled by the authors of songs themselves, therefore you'll get beats by Tekpot, Baby Boy Ene, Lil Man (of Nsanity), Frank Gucci, Lil G (of Cali Grown), Young Trone, Lil Coner, No Remorse and J-Dogg-4-Lif' plus a few from people like Sean Ross, Big Reed, Gabereal, Young Savi and others. The musical background fits to the lyrical content of the album quite accurately. The major part of themes refer to tough street life, representing one's city and hood, plus there are a few don't-fuck-with-me type of cuts.
Quite often a compilation somehow loses its inner homogeneity; its balance is almost always far from the one presented on solo projects. Fortunately "Tha Allstarz" experienced this drawback in a small part, nonetheless you'll hear both some splendid as well as more average tracks. I'm glad that there are no recycled songs nor any bummer cuts, which often appear on compilations. I'd also like to emphasize that Troublez has really improved the quality of his projects as comparing to the last, not the greatest one entitled "The Network", the reviewed album presents surprisingly good. I recommend it to all fans of Latin rap and local San Jose scene.
Troublez Music
Rating: 3.5/5
01. I Luv The Block - Troublez, Boogie Locs & Young Trone
02. Day By Day Remix - Bay Mafia, C-Locs, Big Oso Loc & Troublez
03. Holla Out My Name - Cali Grown & Miles High
04. We Gon' Ball Remix - Game & Lil Coner
05. B.A.Y. - Frank Gucci
06. Holdin' It Down - Young Trone
07. In Your Best Interest - Nsanity
08. Side That Be The Sickest - Baby Boy Ene, Cisco & Loco C
09. Goons Stay In Motion - Evil, Leno & Hittah
10. I'd Rather - C-Locs, Bullet G & Mike D
11. 5150 - No Remorse & Troublez
12. Didn't I - Troublez, Boogie Locs & C-Locs
13. The Block I Love Pt. 2 - J-Dogg-4-Lif' & Young Tank
14. Whoa - Ace Of Spits
15. Hustlin' To Survive - Troublez, Thugzy & Select
16. 408 To The 510 - Big Oso Loc & Troublez
17. If I Die Tonight - C-Locs & Troublez
18. Fuck U Haters - Tekpot, Scrilla Mac & Fada J
In the last few years the local San Jose rap scene was very prolific, introducing to its fans talented artists and bringing worthy projects, often compilations, where one could hear new, interesting rappers. Troublez, as one of them, is repping West Side San Jose and after over a 5-year long career he wants to support less known emcees, unite the Latin rap scene and pay homage to his turf. Therefore he releases a compilation entitled "Tha Allstarz", which includes both famous Shark City representatives as well as underground figures from his hometown and vicinity of Bay Area.
The reviewed project was preceded by 5 other albums by Troublez: a debut EP, two full length solos, a mixtape and another compilation called "The Network". That's why performances by such hood celebrities as Big Oso Loc, C-Locs or Criminal Records members don't seem a big surprise. The host didn't forget to promote independent and unknown artists though, who had a chance to show off their talents. We'll hear verses by Young Tank and Boogie Locs of the up-and-coming SJ group Bay Mafia, who appeared on 3 tracks in total, presenting quite decent delivery. Except for them I was very pleased with never-before-heard Young Trone, who brought a very good solo track, and also a local trio on "Goons Stay In Motion". C-Locs (the CEO of M.A.E. label) also had his contribution in the reviewed project as he was featured on 4 cuts. I didn't only feel his lines on "If I Die Tonight", because they sounded like a freestyle. I was also deeply contented to see Frank Gucci, who's also repping western part of San Jose. This Latin gangsta rapper vanished from the scene after dropping a debut cd in 2004 called "What Goes Around Comes Around" and suddenly he brings an unheard, great, representative track. Props go to artists who I was already familiar with as they didn't disappoint me at all. Hereby I should thank Big Oso Loc (one of a few not representing SJ in here), Ace Of Spits, Cali Grown and boys from CR label. Quite an effort was also put by the album's host himself - Troublez - who was rapping on third part of the cuts leaving decent verses filled with soft, yet mature voice and slow, calm flows. What disturbs me a little in the overall cohesion of the project is a remix of "We Gon' Ball" track, whose original version was already featured on "Portraits Of A Gangster", plus it generally didn't amaze me with its sound. To the very few flaws of the album I'd also like to add kind of a wack delivery on #17 and a couple of average beats. Speaking of which, I must say that in general they present a solid quality, yet not always equal. Most often the production was rather laidback with those characteristic gentle tones usually featured on songs with Troublez, for instance "I Luv The Block", "Day By Day Remix", "Didn't I" or "Hustlin' To Survive". If you want to hear some heavier street melodies you'll find them on slaps like "B.A.Y.", "In Your Best Interest" or one of my favorite - "Whoa" by Ace Of Spits. The production was usually handled by the authors of songs themselves, therefore you'll get beats by Tekpot, Baby Boy Ene, Lil Man (of Nsanity), Frank Gucci, Lil G (of Cali Grown), Young Trone, Lil Coner, No Remorse and J-Dogg-4-Lif' plus a few from people like Sean Ross, Big Reed, Gabereal, Young Savi and others. The musical background fits to the lyrical content of the album quite accurately. The major part of themes refer to tough street life, representing one's city and hood, plus there are a few don't-fuck-with-me type of cuts.
Quite often a compilation somehow loses its inner homogeneity; its balance is almost always far from the one presented on solo projects. Fortunately "Tha Allstarz" experienced this drawback in a small part, nonetheless you'll hear both some splendid as well as more average tracks. I'm glad that there are no recycled songs nor any bummer cuts, which often appear on compilations. I'd also like to emphasize that Troublez has really improved the quality of his projects as comparing to the last, not the greatest one entitled "The Network", the reviewed album presents surprisingly good. I recommend it to all fans of Latin rap and local San Jose scene.