Riding high on the recent success of the “Chi”, Twista and The Speedknot Mobstaz release their second studio album titled Mostability II: Nation Bizness. This is the follow up to their 1998 release Mobstability. 10 years is a long time between albums, but Liffy Stokes and Mayz are ready to remind the nation what “Mobstability” is all about.
Intro
Just two dudes talking, nothing major.
Tippin and Ballin
Stokes and Mayz spit over a sick beat. The production is real bass heavy, but that is a good thing. The album is off to a good start.
Dopeboy
Featuring Mello Tha Gudda Mann
This song is for the hustlers! The song has a nice beat to it, and the boys kick some nice “D-Boy” lyrics over it, but they don’t overdo it.
Cognac N Zesbud
The first slip up on the album, not because of the lyrics or track, but the simple hook on it. I think if they would’ve had a better hook, the song could’ve been better.
Getcha Money Right
Featuring Twista
Twista kicks down the door with a rapid fire flow that sets the tempo for the song. The guys keep up with Twista over a Mortal Kombat sounding beat.
Skit
A phone call skit…how original?
18 Hoes
Featuring Toxic
The hook starts off, and immediately I want to skip the song! I was expecting more when I heard the beat, but what more could you get with a title like that! SKIP!
Money To Blow
Featuring Twista
This is the lead single off the album which is kind of catchy. Twista shows his versatility by switching back and forth during his verse. This is a single that you’re guaranteed to hear this at your local nightclub.
Nation Bizness
Featuring Twista
Twista again murders the production on this one. While the Mayz and Stokes don’t rap as fast as Twist, they blend together well on this track! BANGING!
Raised On The Block
This is another one of those slip ups. The crooning is cool, the beat is not inspiring, and the lyrics show that. Considering the title you would think they would come better on this one. SKIP!
Chicago Intro
Intro to the next song.
Chicago
On this ode to the Windy City, the guys take you on a lyrical train ride around the city. You feel like they have taken you to the Chi on the song, it’s not a musical masterpiece, but it’s decent.
Killa
Featuring Toxic
Twista takes his turn with the vocoder and provides the hook on the song. The hook sounds good and the lyrics on the track aren’t that bad either. CHECK IT OUT!
I’ma Speedknot Mobsta
Featuring Twista
Twista is singing on the hook on this one! They slowed the beat down, but Twista is still killing the production! I like the beat on this one, real smooth. CHECK IT OUT!
Thug Outta Me
This one is for the ladies, and I’m not really feeling this one! SKIP!
Money N Murder
This was one of their buzz singles, but it’s too dark to be a single. The beat sounds like something you would hear on a Bone Thugs album. Twista provides the hook, but the song just doesn’t do it for me.
Gangstaz Don’t Dance
Featuring Jim Jones
This was another buzz single, this time they bounce back with a Down South beat and Jim Jones on the track. How didn’t this song catch on? The beat is crazy and you got JONES! What more could you want?
Skit
More filler, but really an intro to the next song.
Bush Made it Hard
Self explanatory, but why end an album with this song? I like what they are saying but I’m questioning the sequencing. I wouldn’t say too much about one of the coldest gangsters out there!
Outro
You got Jesse Jackson (not really) saying “Fuck Bush!” It’s kind of funny.
Bottom Line:
When you take a decade between projects, you tend to lose some ground in the game. But what Mayz and Stokes did is what works for them. They stuck to what they knew and didn’t stray too far from that. No, they aren’t as versatile as their partner Twista, but they hold their own when he’s not around. Think of them as good role players, they shine when Twista is in the game, but keep the team afloat when he’s on the bench. Are they the next to blow from the Chi? Probably not, but their album kept their name out there for the city.
nappyPicks: “Tippin and Ballin”, “Money to Blow”, “Nation Bizness”, “Killa”, “Gangstaz Don’t Dance”, & “I’ma Speedknot Mobsta”
Download: Speedknot Mobstaz feat. Twista – “Nation Bizness”
