Urban Music Reviews

Grade: B+

The filmmakers behind “Notorious” had a very unique and unenviable task before them: make a good film that will also appease the demands of fans of one of the biggest cultural icons in recent memory. The life and music of Christopher “Biggie” Wallace is almost like folklore in the Hip Hop community. Fans would be ready to tear the cast limb from limb if the film stinks, in turn, non-Hip Hop fans will walk into the theater ready to hate it. Surprisingly, both will walk out shocked by the fact that “Notorious” is that its actually a damn good movie.

The film is really a character-driven morality tale, so its stregth is heavily based on a strong cast. Anthony Mackie steals every scene he is in with his take on the erratic genius of Tupac Shakur, while Naturi Naughton’s take on Lil Kim is almost as impressive. Angela Bassett is pitch perfect as Biggie’s mother, Violetta Wallace and Antonique Smith is a stunning and powerful Faith Evans, but it is newcomer Jamal Woolard’s tour de force as the slain B.I.G. that makes the whole film work. His mannorisims, voice, facial expressions and laugh are almost errily similar to the real deal. The way he manages to capture the character without it coming off as an impression is nothing short of brilliant.

With such strong cast performances, it is a shame that the film is still tragically flawed. The filmakers’ attempts to appease fans by including every noteworthy moment in BIG’s life felt hamhanded and forced at times.  A concious (and often obvious) attempt was made to over emphasise the BIG’s transition into self-awareness and maturity in these contexts. Also, Derek Luke falls just short of his mark as music mogul Sean “Puffy” Combs. Though his acting performance was solid, his “swagger” felt forced and not as effortless as the Puffy that we have come to know.

All in all, “Notorious” is solid, well acted, authentic film that should satisfy even the most cynical viewer.

Grade: A-

Nas’  9th album has been shrouded in controversy from day one. The album’s controversial title and lyrics started causing problems almost a year before a single copy hit stores. Everyone from Rev. Jesse Jackson to LA Reid to Bill O’Reilly to Newsweek Magazine and even members of the US Congress made their opinions (for better or worse) known. Now, with the actual album completed (minus its original title), the finished product deserves just as much praise as it has controversy.

Untitled is loosely a concept album. It has a very cohesive and organized feel that few modern Hip Hop albums embrace. The album’s lyrics read like an expose’ on the oppression of modern American blacks (complete with an entire song devoted to the practices of Fox News and references to Noble Dru Ali and Ivan Van Sertima). Over some of the slickest production of his career, Nas seamlessly meanders between the pretty thug swagger that made him famous and the revolutionary political leanings that made him an icon.

In many ways, Untitled has done what few Nas albums have been able to do: be strong in both content and quality.  It is one of the few rap albums in recent years that appeases the appetites of Hip Hop connoisseurs while still being accessible to those curious, out of the loop listeners who just want to know what all the fuss is about.

Tracks to check for: “Fried Chicken,” “Ya’ll My Niggas,” & “Black President”

Grade: A-

Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley first joined forces for one of the most impressive alternative albums of 2001, the uber-inventive In Search Of... Since then, the trio has come full circle. After 2004’s more traditional Fly Or Die proved to be little more than solid (both critically and commercially), the band is now back to breaking down musical barriers with their most satisfying album to date.

Seeing Sounds starts off in traditional Neptunian fashion with “Time For Some Action,” a fast-paced, heavily hip hop track that sounds almost identical to their work on Busta Rhymes’ “Light Your Ass On Fire.” From there, the album chugs along with good, but ultimately forgettable tunes like “Windows.” But then, midway through the album, something happens. Starting around track 6,you feel the Virginia trio really hitting their stride. This second wind is accented by the Grammy-worthy “Sooner or Later,” which is as stunning as it is catchy.

Seeing Sounds may not have the impact of In Search Of… or the heavyweight cameos that sprinkled Fly or Die, but it is certainly their most complete, definitive and mature work to date. It is, in many ways, the album that N.E.R.D. fans have been waiting for.

Tracks to check out: “Sooner or Later,” “Happy” & “Spaz’”