Doing reviews that others read is kinda tough. Outside of the regular onslaught of haters and fanboys, there is just the sheer volume of music and choices of what to review. I think we tend to do a pretty good job and tough mostly on the mainstream music. I mean, no point in reviewing an album that was only released in a few stores and is hard to find. That said, sometimes we need your help too. At the request of our reader “Shut Up Twinkie”, I tackle this release to see if Simpson did it or not.
1. The American Dream
Produced by Madlib
Wow, the beat is crazy. Very dramatic intro to the song coupled with some deep bass and head nod rhythm. Simpson flows slow and deliberate and even though he keeps it simple lyrically, you can’t deny the message. This is a great song with some Indian inspired singing in the background.
2. Robbery
Produced by Mr. Porter
Yes people, underground does not mean afropicks and dashikis all the time, Simpson is just as gritty as the next big name rapper. The title is not some clever play on words; it’s just what he said, rob-a-ree as the chant says over and over. Song is incessant and even with the darkness of the subject matter, you can relate with the way he delivers and paints the scene.
3. She Won’t Stay At Home
Produced by Madlib
I was on the fence about this one; I think I have figured it out on this 9th listen or so. This is a skip. I think the beat is ok, the chorus sucks, and the song overall, could be a LOT better. SKIP
4. Footwork
Produced by Oh No
Guess what, Guilty was raised in the ghetto. Guess what else; this song is not about dancing. We’ve heard it before, and painfully, this song is not only the same thing that’s been said a million times, it’s number one million in terms of creativity. SKIP
5. Ode to the Ghetto
Produced by Oh No
Pretty decent loop on this one. The background hook lends an extra layer to this painfully redundant scene of the ghetto. I can’t fault the brotha for rappin’ what he knows, unfortunately his story is the demo tape of most rappers today…and we have all watched the big labels saturate the market with the imagery. I think the refreshing part with this song is that the dark images are painted, and then dismissed with Simpson saying I will STILL come back, where it isn’t all fun. He embraces it all; it’s his badge, not his gimmick.
6. Get Bitches
Produced by Mr. Porter
Well, once again, K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) is in full effect with this song. The title is the subject. Once again, tired subject matter. The beat and hook are decent but the song is boring.
7. I Must Love You
Produced J Dilla
I was already hype to see that Dilla did this beat and then I started laughing at the “La La La’s” in the song. I read another review that likens this song and flow to an Eminem type comedic prose, and I don’t think the similarities end there. The song itself is set up like something off a D12 album. I think this is one of the better songs on the album even if it doesn’t really fit the album.
8. The Future
Featuring MED; Produced by Madlib
I’m already hype of the track alone. We get away from the grit and inject some energy and neck snap worthy rhythm to the album. Madlib put his foot in this one. Simpson gives us more of his clever comedy with the intro verse…”I gotta cousin that plays for the Utah Jazz / but I don’t have to run the 2 to shoot y’all ass / peace to Ronnie Brewer on the mic I’m the manure / got a ruger for the coward tryna hate on the computer. The song is layered with dry humor and is pretty witty overall. My favorite track on the album.
9. Pigs
Produced by Madlib
Guilty gets a hold of the bass track from Lil Mama’s “Lipgloss” and does his cipher style flow about cops, his dislike for cops, and the abuse of power by crooked cops. I think this song would have been dope but with it being less than two minutes long, it comes off as an active interlude, he shoulda finished this one out.
10. My Moment
Produced by Black Milk
More synth heavy basslines…I’m over it. The song itself offers some nice wordplay and delivery and is one of his better songs lyrically. “A blunt comment, I burn it / High on the list as if I earned it.” I think the beat is overly simple but maybe that’s what inspired him to bring a little extra to it.
11. Run
Featuring Sean Price & Black Milk; Produced by Black Milk
Another higher energy track but it maintains some of the dark sound that matches the image the artist is trying to craft. The track does begin to sound like a sample of some Sega Genesis game just looped but it has enough other elements to keep you occupied. Lyrically, no new ground here. It’s kinda fun though.
12. Kinda Live
Produced by Mr. Porter
The track is fantastic, the flow is horrific. Holy shit, he blew this one. I don’t even care what it was about, the delivery is tragic. SKIP (sorry Mr. Porter).
13. Yikes
Produced by Madlib
Yes, yikes as in like the cartoons say “Yikes!” It’s funny. The track is just as playful as the title. He playfully pokes fun at the competition and mocks the hate as he asserts, this is not rap, this is a warning. This is a great song that exemplifies what he is capable of and what I would like to hear more of.
14. The Real Me
Produced by Black Milk
I have no clue why he’s pissed off, but he asserts that his enemies want to kill him like MLK. Um, yeah, not feeling this one. Not a skip, but just a tired ass song.
15. Kill ‘Em
Produced by DJ Babu
The chord comes on sounding like he is remaking “Colors”. It still does not disappoint. Let’s be clear, subject matter isn’t new, but the delivery and flow is what gets it over. “But I do know a lot of cats talk that shit, but don’t shoot doe / you brought a gun I brought 2 doe / both of them hittin’ yo 2 do’ just fo’ being wack and pseudo.” Short pause here, I can’t remember the last time I heard pseudo used in a rap. Good shit man. A rarity on this one, the rapper carries this song. The beat leaves much to be desired creatively.
16. Almighty Dreadnaughtz
Featuring Super MC, Krizsteel, & Konnie Ross; Produced by Konnie Ross
I like the energy; I like the cipher feel…I despise the track. SKIP
Bottom Line:
Not all rappers are lyricists. That’s fine, I accept that, but there has to be a balance. The beats here are far too simple to suspend the disbelief, so to speak, of Guilty Simpson’s lyrical onslaught. He shows some signs of creativity and humor on tracks, but overall, he is so “real” and so intent on keeping it street, that he oversimplifies and loses your interest. I think back to Scarface. Face is not a lyrical giant in my opinion; however, nobody can out rap Face doing Face shit. He has mastered his domain and delivery and that’s what makes him stand out from the crowd. Guilty is a rapper lost in the moat of emcees that are from the ghetto and were tossed a mic. I think that he does have the talent and creativity to be one of the better ones doing it, but this album proves his short comings rather than venerate his potential.
Download:Guilty Simpson feat. MED – “The Future”
