Andre Nickatina & Equipto
Midnight Machine Gun Rhymes And Alibis
Reviewed By Dead Intelligence
This album is a collaboration between Andre Nickatina (Dre Dog) and Equipto. Most Nickatina fans I've talked to still don't really know who Equipto is, although he's been featured on Dre's shit numerous times, and they dropped this album together last year.
Equipto is a San Francisco rap veteran, formerly of the underground SF group Bored Stiff. He's been paying dues for awhile now, and recently released his third solo album, "Vintage Volume III: It Hurts So Good", which I haven't heard yet. While Equipto is one of the better lyricists on the west coast, he has been underrated, probably due to the fact that he has put being a real MC first, rather then compromising his ethics just to sell records.
In my oppinion there are 3 standout tracks on this album.
Jungle - This song has a sample that sounds like something from an african Safari. Nickatina and Equipto both bring solid performances on this one. This song has good lyrics and is supplemented by thunder strikes for the hook. Of all the songs on this album, I've bumped this one the most. "I asked a little freak about my rap style, she said it's so damn dope, they might take you to trial..." - Dre "Playin classics meditatin these tactics to overcome, the show is done anticipating to roll a blunt... " - Equipto
Dowutigotta
This is one of those inspirational songs about doing whatever it takes to get by. On this solo track, Equipto drops game on his trials and tribulations in the rap game. The instrumental is soulful and uplifting, with someone singing "Do what I gotta do" for the hook. "Ignore distractions, baby complaining that I'm a player, she can die with me now or she can live with me later... " - Equipto "I'm straight pro, give me the beat and I'll bust it, then I'm out making moves, just me and my cousin, it's all family, helping each other throughout the struggle, we bet our corporation, on years of hustle..." - Equipto
That! - Andre Nickatina gets uncharacteristically deep on this one. The instrumental is subtle and reflective, as are the lyrics. This is probably one of the few times that Andre Nickatina outshines Equipto lyrically. "My heart goes out to all the crack babies, that shit is like deeper than the navy, somebody save me..." - Dre " I kick it live just like a 45, and when I die, you can say he lived a rappers life it's like that..." - Dre
This is a solid album, despite that fact that Andre Nickatina and Equipto's styles clash somewhat. For a sophisticated hip hop fan who appreciates diversity, this should not be a problem. Most of the coked out cult worshipping Nickatina fans out there however, probably won't be feeling Equipto's style quite as much, as it's more serious and politically conscious, as opposed to Dre's "don't give a fuck" type cocaine raps.
Don't let the album cover on this one fool you. From the outside it looks like it was slapped together on an older version of Paint Shop Pro, but this album contains some solid tracks, and is definitely recommended for any Nickatina or Equipto fan. They used a variety of producers for this project, but the best songs were for the most part the ones produced by Equipto. I wouldn't call this the best album of 2001, but I urge everyone who is a fan of either artist to go out and buy this to support the artists involved, and get some solid music at the same time.
Music - 7.5
Lyrics - 7
[email protected]
Midnight Machine Gun Rhymes And Alibis
Reviewed By Dead Intelligence
This album is a collaboration between Andre Nickatina (Dre Dog) and Equipto. Most Nickatina fans I've talked to still don't really know who Equipto is, although he's been featured on Dre's shit numerous times, and they dropped this album together last year.
Equipto is a San Francisco rap veteran, formerly of the underground SF group Bored Stiff. He's been paying dues for awhile now, and recently released his third solo album, "Vintage Volume III: It Hurts So Good", which I haven't heard yet. While Equipto is one of the better lyricists on the west coast, he has been underrated, probably due to the fact that he has put being a real MC first, rather then compromising his ethics just to sell records.
In my oppinion there are 3 standout tracks on this album.
Jungle - This song has a sample that sounds like something from an african Safari. Nickatina and Equipto both bring solid performances on this one. This song has good lyrics and is supplemented by thunder strikes for the hook. Of all the songs on this album, I've bumped this one the most. "I asked a little freak about my rap style, she said it's so damn dope, they might take you to trial..." - Dre "Playin classics meditatin these tactics to overcome, the show is done anticipating to roll a blunt... " - Equipto
Dowutigotta
This is one of those inspirational songs about doing whatever it takes to get by. On this solo track, Equipto drops game on his trials and tribulations in the rap game. The instrumental is soulful and uplifting, with someone singing "Do what I gotta do" for the hook. "Ignore distractions, baby complaining that I'm a player, she can die with me now or she can live with me later... " - Equipto "I'm straight pro, give me the beat and I'll bust it, then I'm out making moves, just me and my cousin, it's all family, helping each other throughout the struggle, we bet our corporation, on years of hustle..." - Equipto
That! - Andre Nickatina gets uncharacteristically deep on this one. The instrumental is subtle and reflective, as are the lyrics. This is probably one of the few times that Andre Nickatina outshines Equipto lyrically. "My heart goes out to all the crack babies, that shit is like deeper than the navy, somebody save me..." - Dre " I kick it live just like a 45, and when I die, you can say he lived a rappers life it's like that..." - Dre
This is a solid album, despite that fact that Andre Nickatina and Equipto's styles clash somewhat. For a sophisticated hip hop fan who appreciates diversity, this should not be a problem. Most of the coked out cult worshipping Nickatina fans out there however, probably won't be feeling Equipto's style quite as much, as it's more serious and politically conscious, as opposed to Dre's "don't give a fuck" type cocaine raps.
Don't let the album cover on this one fool you. From the outside it looks like it was slapped together on an older version of Paint Shop Pro, but this album contains some solid tracks, and is definitely recommended for any Nickatina or Equipto fan. They used a variety of producers for this project, but the best songs were for the most part the ones produced by Equipto. I wouldn't call this the best album of 2001, but I urge everyone who is a fan of either artist to go out and buy this to support the artists involved, and get some solid music at the same time.
Music - 7.5
Lyrics - 7
[email protected]
