Chino XL
Here To Save You All (1996)
Reviewed By Dead Intelligence
Chino XL is by far the most underated rapper in the game. While proving that his intelligence and ability and is far superior to most of todays dominant rappers, he has never gotten the commercial recognition he deserved, due to the fact that his lyrics are filled with metaphors that rip apart "icons in the urban community". There are probably rhymes on his albums to offend just about anyone, and he never pulls his punches. Because of the controversial nature of his rhymes, however, the most recognition he ever got was when Tupac said "Chino XL, Fuck you too!" in the song, "Hit Em Up". Pac was mad because of what Chino said on this very album, on the song Riiot!, where he states "by this industry, I'm trying not to get fucked, like Tupac in jail..."
Here To Save You All is musically very similar to a lot of other east coast albums. The beats are often simple, and comprised of samples and lofi drum loops. While most of the beats on this album are not phenomenal, there were several stand out tracks. Also, this is also one of the few times that you will ever hear me say that the lyrical ability of an artist can actually make up for monotony in the beats. That is because if you can keep up with the lyrics, it's some of the craziest shit you'll ever hear.
There are 5 songs that I think standout on this album. The main single "Kreep" (Album Version) is not one of them as far as I'm concerned. If you can get ahold of the special order maxi-single though, the Video Version is awesome. I saw the video once about 6 years ago at 3 o'clock in the morning, and never saw it again.
Deliver - This is the typical show-off song that always comes right after the intro on most rappers albums. He basically displays his skills on this track and also disses everyone in his path. "Clear the runway, cause I'ma make you rappers my examples, avoid battling me like I'm Eazy-E's blood samples..." "Evil tendencies, strong like Miles Davis heroine dependency, fucking up lives like teenage pregnancy..."
No Complex - No Complex is a straight up battle track. In it's basic style it is similar to "Deliver", although the tempo is faster, the style is rougher, and he uses distortion on his voice. The theme is about the inferiority that rival rappers feel once they hear his rhymes. This is definitely one of the hardest tracks on the album. "People stand amazed [how could you go on a killing craze?], cause my heart is blacker then the cotton fields in the slavery days..." "Fuck friends, long as a bitch bends, like mercedes, invade your mental like U.S. troops invaded Haiti..."
It's All Bad - This is a fictional track about the rise and fall of a rap legend. Chino details the ascent to fame and the downward spiral brought about by the death of loved ones, bad business decisions and of course drug addiction. This is my favorite track on the album. It's got a real emotional beat, and he gets deeper than he does in some of his other songs. "1430 S-A-T proving ya, I'm a spick that'll die respected like Raul Julia..." "Now life's a tour to me, accepted where I was rejected formerly, disrespecting neighborhoods I know supported me, it's eating me, suicide attempts repeatedly, what I worked so hard for ultimately is defeating me..."
Ghetto Vampire - Ghetto Vampire is a three part song that starts with Chino taking Lucifer's place in the story of the first Angel's fall from gods grace. The next part of the song is about his awakening experience as a vampire in the ghetto, and the struggle between his inner darkness and his desire for forgivness from god. The third and final part of the song is where he get's really gruesome, describing in detail his acts of murder and occult sacrifices. He finally finishes off the track by calling out the police, the government, churches, drug dealers, money hungry bitches, the school system and the media as all being the true ghetto vampires. "Enraged like I was no threat I hated gods laughter, waiting for the day the apprentice becomes the master..." "My unholy presence disturbs animals and children built a sacrifical altar behind an abandoned building, my sense of smell is heightened my sight is razor sharp serene as thorazine when I remove your beating heart..."
Rise - This song is my second favorite, and is basically the story of The Crow. The instrumental is hypnotic, and sets the perfect mood for the story of one who was murdered in cold blood, and sent back to earth to enact revenge upon his killers. This song also features an Isley Brothers sample... so you know it has to be good. "A child born with no soul signifies my return from pure thought to put my killer's ashes in a urn, outside the realm of light, demons dance in preparation weightless, only to be seen during incantation..." "Now I rise like a zombie from the dirt I kill again feeling no better than what I am here to avenge, as we stand face to face you see death in my eyes I won't destroy another man, the flesh is weak... rise..."
All in all I would say this is a very strong album. While a lot of the songs end up sounding the same, the variability of Chino XL's lyrical content is enough to break the monotony (if lyrics are your thing). Chino XL proved on this album that he is one of the best in his field. In fact, if y'all get the chance to check out his freestyle diss against Tupac , it's hilarious. Unfortunately his talking shit about everyone in the industry has limited his commercial potential. For him to soften his style though, would be blasphemy to his true fans. It's that iconoclastic controversial nature that makes Chino XL who he is.
Music - 7
Lyrics - 9.5
[email protected]
Here To Save You All (1996)
Reviewed By Dead Intelligence
Chino XL is by far the most underated rapper in the game. While proving that his intelligence and ability and is far superior to most of todays dominant rappers, he has never gotten the commercial recognition he deserved, due to the fact that his lyrics are filled with metaphors that rip apart "icons in the urban community". There are probably rhymes on his albums to offend just about anyone, and he never pulls his punches. Because of the controversial nature of his rhymes, however, the most recognition he ever got was when Tupac said "Chino XL, Fuck you too!" in the song, "Hit Em Up". Pac was mad because of what Chino said on this very album, on the song Riiot!, where he states "by this industry, I'm trying not to get fucked, like Tupac in jail..."
Here To Save You All is musically very similar to a lot of other east coast albums. The beats are often simple, and comprised of samples and lofi drum loops. While most of the beats on this album are not phenomenal, there were several stand out tracks. Also, this is also one of the few times that you will ever hear me say that the lyrical ability of an artist can actually make up for monotony in the beats. That is because if you can keep up with the lyrics, it's some of the craziest shit you'll ever hear.
There are 5 songs that I think standout on this album. The main single "Kreep" (Album Version) is not one of them as far as I'm concerned. If you can get ahold of the special order maxi-single though, the Video Version is awesome. I saw the video once about 6 years ago at 3 o'clock in the morning, and never saw it again.
Deliver - This is the typical show-off song that always comes right after the intro on most rappers albums. He basically displays his skills on this track and also disses everyone in his path. "Clear the runway, cause I'ma make you rappers my examples, avoid battling me like I'm Eazy-E's blood samples..." "Evil tendencies, strong like Miles Davis heroine dependency, fucking up lives like teenage pregnancy..."
No Complex - No Complex is a straight up battle track. In it's basic style it is similar to "Deliver", although the tempo is faster, the style is rougher, and he uses distortion on his voice. The theme is about the inferiority that rival rappers feel once they hear his rhymes. This is definitely one of the hardest tracks on the album. "People stand amazed [how could you go on a killing craze?], cause my heart is blacker then the cotton fields in the slavery days..." "Fuck friends, long as a bitch bends, like mercedes, invade your mental like U.S. troops invaded Haiti..."
It's All Bad - This is a fictional track about the rise and fall of a rap legend. Chino details the ascent to fame and the downward spiral brought about by the death of loved ones, bad business decisions and of course drug addiction. This is my favorite track on the album. It's got a real emotional beat, and he gets deeper than he does in some of his other songs. "1430 S-A-T proving ya, I'm a spick that'll die respected like Raul Julia..." "Now life's a tour to me, accepted where I was rejected formerly, disrespecting neighborhoods I know supported me, it's eating me, suicide attempts repeatedly, what I worked so hard for ultimately is defeating me..."
Ghetto Vampire - Ghetto Vampire is a three part song that starts with Chino taking Lucifer's place in the story of the first Angel's fall from gods grace. The next part of the song is about his awakening experience as a vampire in the ghetto, and the struggle between his inner darkness and his desire for forgivness from god. The third and final part of the song is where he get's really gruesome, describing in detail his acts of murder and occult sacrifices. He finally finishes off the track by calling out the police, the government, churches, drug dealers, money hungry bitches, the school system and the media as all being the true ghetto vampires. "Enraged like I was no threat I hated gods laughter, waiting for the day the apprentice becomes the master..." "My unholy presence disturbs animals and children built a sacrifical altar behind an abandoned building, my sense of smell is heightened my sight is razor sharp serene as thorazine when I remove your beating heart..."
Rise - This song is my second favorite, and is basically the story of The Crow. The instrumental is hypnotic, and sets the perfect mood for the story of one who was murdered in cold blood, and sent back to earth to enact revenge upon his killers. This song also features an Isley Brothers sample... so you know it has to be good. "A child born with no soul signifies my return from pure thought to put my killer's ashes in a urn, outside the realm of light, demons dance in preparation weightless, only to be seen during incantation..." "Now I rise like a zombie from the dirt I kill again feeling no better than what I am here to avenge, as we stand face to face you see death in my eyes I won't destroy another man, the flesh is weak... rise..."
All in all I would say this is a very strong album. While a lot of the songs end up sounding the same, the variability of Chino XL's lyrical content is enough to break the monotony (if lyrics are your thing). Chino XL proved on this album that he is one of the best in his field. In fact, if y'all get the chance to check out his freestyle diss against Tupac , it's hilarious. Unfortunately his talking shit about everyone in the industry has limited his commercial potential. For him to soften his style though, would be blasphemy to his true fans. It's that iconoclastic controversial nature that makes Chino XL who he is.
Music - 7
Lyrics - 9.5
[email protected]
