Busta Rhymes :: It Ain't Safe No More... :: J Records
as reviewed by Mr. S

In an era when hip hop is clogged with phony thugs wearing throwback jerseys, pinwheel hats doing their best Jay-Z rendition, thank God we have MCs like Busta Rhymes to come through and break the monotony. Ever since he exploded on the scene with the smash hit "Woo Hah" in 1996, Busta Rhymes has taken the industry by storm, dropping a platinum album every year since (minus 1999) and hitting us with some of the biggest (and best) hip hop hits of recent memory in that time span, and he's always done it his own way. Year after year, Busta blesses his loyal fanbase with a new flavor; none of his albums sound exactly like the one before it, but at the same time he does not stray so far from his roots as to alienate his fanbase. With It Ain't Safe No More, Busta continues this trend; he's still Busta Bus, but with yet another new twist.

One of the noticeable differences from last year's Genesis is that this album is more conceptual. While the majority of the last album was spent with Busta depending on banging beats and his flows to captivate the listener while not relying much on lyricism or "relevant" subject matter, he takes a slightly more serious approach on this one. Busta is still more Flava Flav than Chuck D, and spends the majority of the album proving this, but there are at least 3 entire tracks that could qualify as "conscious", while there weren't really any cuts like that on Genesis.

The first song on the album is the title track, Dilla (the artist formerly known as Jay Dee... not to be confused with Jermaine Dupri) provides the sick, sonic sounds of the beat and Busta proclaims that he's taking the game back. Fairly typical subject matter for an opening track on the modern rap album I know, but the beat is insane and Busta tears it down, so how can anyone really complain?

On the DJ Scratch produced "Branded", Busta drops some lyrics about the state of the world, basically. Topics ranging from the struggles in the streets to the weakenening state of hip hop, Busta tears it down: "Rap niggas beefin, their album probably needed the press / And as a man, I never found the slightest need to impress / Another man, because I'm proud and I believe that I'm blessed / But yo I always found a need to address / These weaker niggas and speak to the streets, keeping the people abreast".

Of course, it wouldn't be a Busta Rhymes album without some uptempo party starters to wild out to. Enter the Neptunes produced burner "Call The Ambulance", a song that will be a surefire hit if it is released as a single. Nobody is more skilled in making joints like this than Busta, who warns on the hook that when this song hits the club, you'd better "Call an ambulance to come and pick up your people".

Busta proves he can make a more subdued style of club joint as well on joints like "We Gonna Do It To Ya" and the lead single "Make It Clap", which I'm sure everyone has already heard by now. Songs dedicated to sexual adventures like "Taste It" and "Hey Ladies" are balanced by grimy joints like "What Up", "Turn Me Up Some", "Riot", and "Hop".

One of the best things about this album is that it there is only one small dip. There is no song that is out and out wack, in fact the vast majority album is dope, but the two songs that I see myself skipping ("Hey Ladies" and "I Know What You Want") are back to back; other than that, the album is basically a straight through listen. For an album with 18 songs, this is quite impressive. And it certainly closes with a bang.

The last official song, "Till It's Gone" is produced by Wu-Tang affiliate Tru Master, who hits Busta with a beat that sounds straight off Ghostface Killahs's "Supreme Clientele" (this is a good thing, by the way). The vocal sample is very nicely used, and is probably the deepest joint on the album, with Busta making observations about life and how we too often take things for granted. Following this up is the "Make It Clap Remix", a bonus cut that is a dancehall remake of the original. The beat remains the same, but Busta and Sean Paul trade reggae style verses and as "same beat" remixes go, this is a worthy addition to the album.

Bottom line, the album is vintage Busta. Once again, he has switched up his style slightly enough so that this does not sound like any of his other albums, yet simultaneously stayed true to himself. The same people who sent his other albums platinums will do the same with this one; Busta is who he is, and fans of Busta Rhymes will enjoy this album. You don't buy a Busta Rhymes album for incredible lyricism or to hear him dropping knowledge; you buy a Busta Rhymes album for banging beats, sick flows, and a change of pace from a mainstream scene that is often dull and formulaic. When Busta does hit us with some sick lyrics and knowledge, it's icing on the cake. But first and foremost, Busta Rhymes is still about staying true to one of the forgotten values of hip hop: having a good time. Busta, more than anything, goes into the studio and makes music to put a smile on peoples face and make them bop their head. Once again, he has succeeded in this.

Music Vibes: 8.5 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 7.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8 of 10

Originally posted: November 29, 2002

incredible

see ya Moz

how r u my friend?
where r u chillin at?
plenty of shit to discuss...

kormega, this sh!t is not about one page - the whole topic is banned (F#@K!). i guess the best way to talk in daytime is www.streetlife.ru > forum > 3rd English battle

yo
wher yal at?

VERY BAD
ПИШИТЕ АЦТОЙ ХОТЬ И ПО-АНГИЙСКИ, ЕСЛИ БЫ ВЫ ТАКОЕ ПО-РУССКИ НАПИСАЛИ ТО ВАС БЫ ПОНЯЛИ ВСЕ БОЖИ И ОПУЩЕНЦЫ ФОРУМА, А ТАК ПРОСТО ПРОДОЛЖАЙТЕ ТУПИТЬ ПО-ИНГЛИШУ, МЕНЯ НЕ ПРИКАЛОЛО АЦТОЙ ВАШИ ТЕКСТЫ, ПЕРЕВЕЛ ВСЕ, ПОЛНАЯ ЛАЖА

@ boristheFake

-

ПЕРЕВЕЛ ВСЕ, ПОЛНАЯ ЛАЖА

сомневаюсь, ты тупой пингвин

-

МЕНЯ НЕ ПРИКАЛОЛО АЦТОЙ ВАШИ ТЕКСТЫ,

куда тебе до таких, чмо обоссанное

валих нах

yo yo fellaz

wod tha fuck? where yall the fuck at?

fuckin weird
Mega, u dead n shit?

'mega is on that nas forum - constatly, i'm f@cking tired of NOT battling in English. any ideas?

-Цитата от Mozzy

'mega is on that nas forum - constatly, i'm f@cking tired of NOT battling in English. any ideas?

hey dog!!!
gimme Nas's forum link first!!!

den come to trshady.....n les start a friendly battle,,,aitt????

nasforum.conforums.com
trshady is mostly banned by my work server, so can't really particiapte there =(

Is there sumbudy fuckin wit u except Mozzy?
No pinky ring when im lookin at you closely
Shit youre a weak ass poor ass gangstaz
Don’t even mind that you’re fake sea lobsters

Shimmy-shimmy ya dropping heat on your head
You aint shit, shit on you as I said
Spend all your free time jerkin in bed
Watchin some porno, spinnin a thread

Don’t even think that you are Biggaz Jiggaz
East-westside killas, fuckin dope dealaz
Tell you one time you stinkin durty gorillaz
We’re the realest niggaz, u cant feel uz…

Hommie - that was kinda general. Calling out me?

-Цитата от Mozzy

Hommie - that was kinda general. Calling out me?

oh no, how can i?

Lets stomp!

stomp who?

each other i guess...
is there anyone else here?

или я ослеп нах?

lol
aight, i'm up to it. set it off then

Les’t start to talk let me show you my teeth
Damn, take a breathe, relax, be cool, sit down on my kneez
For real I’ma tell you some tails from South Seas
What? You’re a gurl, oh, excuse me miss…

My dick misses your ass like D-mouse miss a cheese
Mozzy you moss on the ass of vis-à-vis
Chris is Ludacris, Mozzy is clitoris, yeah!, Itz a bliss
Uhu, sassy bitch, can I squeeze your fake titz?

Don’t be upset, ima durty preset
Using a vest on the east side of Brest
Frosted az ice-cream, I represent
Muggy and ugly raw style in my chest

You lost in the suburbs of my twisted mind
Here ima king and you never find
Out how can I play you like kid playz the ball
Your strength if it was, now is gone … kick the wall

ra-ta-tah! :B)

Look, this “king” claims he's now in the house
Well, i don't look a gift horse in the mouth
Show me your teeth? Fella, Christ f@cking please!
You're ridiculous beyond any belief
Hommie, who said you're frosted?
I'd say you're Madonna-type “frozen”
Tons of rhymes I am hosing
You're posing, your rhymes reek of poison
What i have for you here is glaciers and icewater
You're frozen like Rick & Raekwon
Front on me – it's manslaughter
Wanna play with my balls? Nasty boy, oh behave!
Many knaves dug their graves
Thinking Mozzy won't slay
Since when are you an MC? You're a pansy boy
Don't tempt me
I'll wrench you for the sake of the Motherland
And later claim it's all patriot games like Tom Clancy
Opposing me you get dwarfed by comparison
Every barrack in the garrison knows you're a courtesan
Having it both ways from both Germans AND partisans
They call me Mr. I-Have-To-Look-Up-His-Words
You're so pathetically helpless, it probably hurts
Tuck in your skirt – it impedes your retreat
Naw, second thought –
Pull it down, your clit sags so low it needs to be hid
“Hommie”? That's one gotdamn typo!
“Homo” 's more likely, so yeah b!tch
Just come bite me!

kaboom-kaboom! =)

lol.
Mozzy, u killed it!!!
nice rhymin, bruv

what can i say every bitch i slay...

awesome, but wait...

Word to ya motha Mr I-have-to-shut-a-fuck-up-my-hole
Code red to ya head, I spit on your ball
Peak of Khan-Tengri straight in your crack
You better prepare, it’s a Big Dick attack


>For the sake of the Motherland< hold it got damn
What do you think, you’re a hero? A Man?
Hell naw punk ass pussy, you stuck in your shit
Don’t say a word or you’ll be fuckin dead

Red mudafuca, head smashed like tomato
Wuda fuck is u talking about army shit, u retardo?
Bordeaux is my water, mommy’s milk that u suckin
Hommie iz busy, he jus cant stop fuckin

With oldurtymozzy your rhymez are cozy
With fuzzy vagina, you never stop me
Wuss, come and get me, shoot me or hate me
Naturally, suckaz like you jus can’t stand me…

Boyaka-boyaka! >

-

Lets stomp!

stomp who?

each other i guess...

aight, i'm up to it. set it off then

lol....sorta collective mutual homicide
lmao

lol

-

Bordeaux is my water

dunno why thought real G's drink Henessy....


MEGA LOL

-Цитата от demise

lol



dunno why thought real G's drink Henessy....


MEGA LOL

so it can't be other shit like Crystal? like Courvousier? like Alizee?
shame on a wigga, who calls himselv a nigga, if you think that g's sips only Gennezee...

so cmon and give me sum shit in your style...
say whutu say,