Yeah, HOSTILE TAKEOVER is a cool CD. Like AN EYE FOR AN EYE, I wouldn't consider it a "classic", but it's well worth picking up.
I think the problem some people might have had with it was that Mr. Cee's image was so specific to RBL that it was hard for some to accept Hitman or anyone else in his place. It was tough for me at first, I'll tell you that! But once I heard it the third or fourth time and judged it on its' OWN merit (and not the merit of RUTHLESS BY LAW), I dug it! The production's a little more slick than on previous RBL CDs, but it's cool--the tracks remind me a little of Above The Law mixed with old school Dogg Pound.
"You Know The Rules", "Where Am I Going To?", "Vapors", "Nightmares", "Lay Em Down", "Stay Pump Pump!", "Smooth Sailin", "Frisco, Frisco", and the posse track at the end are my favorites.
Black C. was smart not to coast on nostalgia or try too hard to keep up with current (for 2001) rap trends, and the CDs' stronger for it, IMHO. PEACE!