Label: Aftermath

Grade: B

Highlight: Don’t Get Carried Away

Overview: While Busta Rhymes is clearly hip hop royalty, the knock on him is that he’s never been able to crank out a great album from top to bottom. He’s the king of the cameo and steals just about every remix he’s on, but he doesn’t keep our heads noddin’ throughout an entire album. Keeping that in mind, he’s never had Dr. Dre as his Executive Producer either. This is Busta’s eight album and it absolutely feels different from the previous seven. The Dungeon Dragon seems hungrier and grimier than ever. Just listen to Clinton Sparks’ “New Crack City” mixtape to realize that Bussa-Bus is on some new NY Sh*t these days. He was collaborating so much with Wu, that some though he was the new ODB of the crew. Although the good Doctor only produces a handful of tracks, his presence is felt throughout the entire album, even when Green Lantern, Eric Sermon and Sha Money XL are predominately involved. The hypnotic pianos and strings that have become Dre’s trademark are showcased throughout the album. The hottest tracks would have to be “Don’t Get Carried Away” featuring a scene stealing Nas, the introspective “Been Through The Storm” with the original dread-head Stevie Wonder, and “Goldmine” featuring Raekwon the Chef. One listen to this song and you’ll realize how far Busta has come from the days of “Sobb Story”.

Although “Touch It” is old news now, the creativity of sampling Daft Punk’s “Technologic” still deserves credit. Despite the street success of DJ Scratch’s “NY Shit”, can we PLEASE give props to Diamond D considering this is a blatant jack of “I Went For Mine?” As for the forgettable moments on the album, “How We Do It Over Here” featuring Missy Elliott is cookie-cutter hip hop, as is the silly love joint “I’d Do it All,” and the bitter “Legends Of The Fall Off” which may or may not be directed at LONS alum, Dinco D. Most people will hate on “I Love My Bitch” with Kelis and Will.I.Am, but it is what it is, a light-hearted club banger with a stupid hook. The party joint, “Get On Down” is also sure to get people dancing this summer. All in all, “The Big Bang Theory” has its moments and it arguable Busta’s best full-length yet. Busta’s bust is already in hip hop’s Hall of Fame, so it’s not like this album is a make or break. He’ll keep coming back with more and more hits.

Posted by J-Hize on Thursday, July 6th, 2006 and is filed under SICKWIDIT, REVIEWS, CD.