The East Bay’s mixtape king is looking to make a comeback with
Golden State Warriorz: Volume One (which suggests a spate of
Golden State Warriorz to come). This compilation features new,
original material by several promising Bay Area rappers, and a few
who’ve had their day. Though the whole idea of mixtapes has become
slightly anachronistic, this one retains the qualities of West Coast
hip-hop (the funky, club-oriented hooks and robust vocal deliveries,
which make every line sound like a tongue-lashing) but incorporates
such innovations as Autotune software. Thus, despite the familiar
nature of the material (party jams, salacious ballads, songs about the
hustle), Golden State shows that Bay Area rappers are keeping
apace with the times.
While the lyrics are nothing to write home about, the production on
this album really slaps. The compilation’s best song, by far, is “Eyes
Wide Shut,” which has a noir-ish, melodic beat that departs from the
stylistic template of West Coast hip-hop. Produced by Erk tha Jerk, it
combines a minor-chord guitar line with woodblock percussion sounds,
which call to mind some creature of the jungle.
The other tracks are catchy as well. “Step Up” makes good use of an
old Masters of Illusion sample, and Smitty Grands has a strong delivery
on the Traxamillion-produced joint “Ghetto Superstar” (though he
closely resembles New York rapper Swizz Beatz). “I Can Give It to Ya”
is a nice little yarn about male virility. It’s a little sloppily
executed, since Balance and G-Stack both use recycled material. (Who
knows how many skulls I’ll crack if I have to hear about some girl
being “a lady in the sheets but a freak in the bed” one more
time).
Overall, it’s a well-conceived album, and there’s at least one
laugh-out-loud moment when Balance says, on the come-hither track “Say
My Name,” Sheesh, I’m such a fuckin’ beast. (Ayinde)
