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Let's Get Dirty: Lunchboxing Reviews Dirty's "Keep It Pimp & Gangsta" by jeff berson 2001 was a banner year for Gangsta Rap. Dirty's 1st masterpiece, The Pimp & Da Gangsta, brought a new level of realness and talent to the rap game. The streets in my hood (Redondo Beach) were infiltrated with the booming sounds of 6 Deep Creepin, and Yean Heard, as my neighborhood came together to celebrate the majesty of Dirty. Finally, two years later, Dirty returns with a follow-up effort entitled Keep it Pimp & Gangsta. But Dirty would have to deliver a solid sophomore album to duplicate the success of their first classic album. Being a hardcore gangsta rap fan, I rushed to the nearest Ritmo Latino to pick it up. The first track is entitled Feel Me Ni, and trust me "Ni", I feel you!! This track is flawlessly produced and the lyrics are something we can all relate to. The chorus, which lays down Dirty's quest to gain street credibility goes a little something like this, "Lemme pull my strap down/ so I can kill these bitches/ then you'll feel me Ni!" This song brilliantly puts into words emotions that are very hard to express, especially for men like Dirty who can be prone to holding things in. Everyone is looking for acceptance and respect in the rap game, and "Feel Me Ni" demonstrates the lengths to which Dirty will go to get to those desired goals. It's a very well thought-out song, not to mention well produced. Dirty brought out MC Big Phucka-Rug to mix the track, the same force behind Pastor Troy's 1999 classic No Mo' Play in GA. Tracks 2-10 all convey amazing tales of street life, with unbelievable beats that had me nodding my head recently when I made a road trip from Northridge to Palm Springs. Some standout songs that had me rapping along almost immediately were Lose Control (Candyman Part II), Sholl Iz, and Ackamonkey. In Ackamonkey Dirty admit to feeling mixed emotions after they murdered a rival gang member, nearly bringing tears this stoic critics' eyes. "His life I took with a shot from my cous's Lincoln/ no more to breath again/ lil' bitch ni**a had'sta go/ he don't robs me from my fuckin' flow and lives to breath to'moro!" Dirty's feelings of shame, relief, and remorse manifest themselves in these razor-sharp lyrics, and this expression of complex feelings helps to unite us as humans. All of these tracks were bumpin', but they didn't prepare me for the out of body experience I had when I hit track 11, an extraordinary song called F**K Witcha. I literally pulled the car over, turned up the bass and enjoyed 3:47 of pure rap mastery. "You're a Fuck Witcha/you stupid bitch/suck my dick/and I'll finger your cl*t/then fly off on your broom/or I'll leave you lying dead in a tomb." Like a marriage counselor trained in the field of hip-hop, Dirty get to the heart of relationships in this piece. They lay it down about how so many relationships start off so good, but "go so wrong at the end of them." I think Dirty know more than the average Casanova, and any available ear should listen to this tale of love gone wrong. They also enlists the help of Lil' Ho Blew with some great backup vocals. Speaking of which, look for Lil' Ho Blew's debut in stores soon, I Ain't No Ho, Bitch. I hear it's off the hook. Tracks 15 and 17, Ghetto Opera and Ghetto Ride respectively, take us on a tour of the ghetto, with the best tour guides in the business, Dirty. The two songs, identical in lyrical content and beat, with the exception of substituting the words "Opera" and "Ride", are brilliantly produced and written. Here's a glimpse of the chorus: "Just sit back you punk bitch/Is you scared??/Blast, blast!!/That's the Ghetto Opera (Ride)." We've all been in that situation, which makes the song REAL. Things in life can be so complicated, but instead of being scared, take Dirty's advice and just relax and enjoy the show. I like to think that if I had Dirty's CD in college, I wouldn't have worried so much about my Economics Final. Or that one time when that one girl asked me out on a Pi Kappa Phi date party, and I said yes, but then realized that I already committed to going to the Lakers game in the luxury suite. I wouldn't have stressed so much, because I would have known that life's all a ride (opera)! Cheers to Dirty for creating 17 songs that are original, expressive, and that easily make this the truest tale of ghetto life to date. Dirty are no flash in the pan; their talent would make me a fool to utter such words. Dirty combines the writing talent of Bernie Taupin, the harmony of the Beatles, the seamless beats of Run DMC, and the street credibility of 50 Cent, and somehow one-ups them all. Please, do yourself a favor and buy this album. If you have children (ages 6-13) buy them one as well to teach them solid life lessons, and to fill up your house with the sounds of the best there is: Dirty's "Keep It Pimp & Gangsta." To buy Dirty's album, click here |
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