Here’s what an average hip-hop artist’s career cycle looks like (the long-standing ones, at least):

–>Starts off with 1 – 2 supa dupa album(s)
–> Gets stuck in a creative rut for 2-5 years
–> Bounces back with 1 exceptional album to hush the haters
–> Hits creativity wall again…You get the picture.

P’s bounceback album was the appropriately titled Return of the Mac, one of the Top 10 albums of 2007. Thankfully, he keeps the creative juice flowing throughout H.N.I.C. 2. He sounds more mature, more articulate, yet more irreverent than ever. Now, all that will probably change after he goes to jail. I can’t think of too many rappers that have been able to drop a decent album after being locked up. Must be that jail food.

Tracklist and Production Credits: Read the rest of this entry »

“187″ is taken from Nyce’s G-Unit/Infamous debut 38 to the Head. Apparently he has an affinity for numbers.

Havoc, one of the illest producers on the mic, is back to show Ye how to do this son. Ok, I know it’s Hav we’re talking about here, but judging by Hollywood P’s last album it’s safe to assume that these fellas only know how to make O.G. Mobb Deep albums when Fifty isn’t watching.

Peep the tracklist, dun dun. Read the rest of this entry »

Soulbrotha ft. RUKUS – “Circus”
The first of many installments of Beat Jakkaz/T.R.U. Exclusives.

Havoc – “I’m the Boss”
I know, I know…So what if I’m one of those “I can’t stand P, but Hav’s cool” types?

Benzino – “Back on My Grizzy”
For fans of senior citizen rap only. Riz doesn’t discriminate.