I decided to step out of the box and review something that I never would have listened to, the Teriyaki Boyz second album Serious Japanese. This is the follow up to their 2006 release Beef of Chicken. I am not going to front as if I know facts about the group; I am going to my trusty Wikipedia for some tidbits. The group consists of five members all from Tokyo, Japan: Ilmari and Ryo-Z from Rip Slyme, VERBAL from m-flo, rapper WISE and Nigo, the DJ and founder of the popular Japanese streetware brand A Bathing Ape. Now that we know a little background of the group…let us get to the music.
Please Come Intro!
Produced by Adrock
The album kicks off with a techno sounding beat with some talking in the background. Nothing serious, just the start to the album.
Work That!
Featuring Pharrell & Chris Brown; Produced by The Neptunes
The first thing that catches you on this song is the house music inspired beat. This is the third single that will get the girls on the dance floor shaking what their mother gave them. Chris Brown added some vocals at the end, but this is still a dance heavy track that I would even cut the rug listening too.
After 5 (AM)
Featuring Mademoiselle Yulia; Produced by Towa Tei
This song puts you in the mind of the Black Eye Peas with the international pop feel to the song. The song has plenty of elements to it, sounding video gamish for a second. This song sounds FUN.
Tokyo Drift (Fast & Furious)
Produced by The Neptunes
The Neptunes show their creativity on this track with their production. This track does make me want to trick out a car and drive fast and furious. I can dig it.
Sweet Girl
Featuring Dondria; Produced by Jermaine Dupri
JD takes his sound to the Far East and the Teriyaki Boyz did their thing on this track. I like the way they flipped the lingo from English to Japanese in the song and still fit the song. It puts you in the mind of T.I.’s “Why You Wanna”. I must say that this one is a BANGER!
Teriya-King
Featuring Kanye West & Big Sean; Produced by Kanye West
Kanye joins in and MURDERS the track! The beat is sick on this one, but what did you expect from Yeezy. Don’t think that the Teriyaki Boyz mailed this one in…VERBAL did his best Kanye impersonation and represented the crew well. So far, this is my favorite off the album. SICK!
5th Element
Featuring Cornelius; Produced by Cornelius
This beat on this track sounds like an old school rap song, but with more sounds added to the beat. This is the first song on the album that did not jump out there and grab me.
Serious Japanese
Produced by Mark Ronson
The track on this one is FIRE! It will remind you of MC Lyte’s “Paper Thin” In the beginning. I do not understand what the guys are saying, but they ride the beat to perfection. This might be my favorite track on the album. BANGER!
Zock On!
Featuring Pharrell & Busta Rhymes; Produced by The Neptunes
The Neptunes return with the space age production, and Busta lends his lightning fast flow to the Boyz on this track. The beat fits Busta style, so he adds to the songs success. This was actually their second single off the album.
(Can’t) “Bake” That “Fape”
Featuring TAKAGIKAN & Adrock; Produced by Adrock
Adrock brings you back to the Beastie Boy sound on this track. The beat is complex, but not to the point where it ruins the song. The production is TIGHT and the Boyz do their thing on the song. HOT!
いつも It’s More
Produced by SUPA DAVE WEST
The production on this one switches gears from the up-tempo feel to a more laid back approach. The beat is nice, but I like to hear the Teriyaki Boyz sound with more energy.
I Still Love H.E.R.
Featuring Kanye West; Produced by Kanye West
This was the first single off the album. Martin Louie the King Jr. comes through with top-notch production again on this album. On this song the Teriyaki Boyz show that they know their Hip-Hop history giving homage to some of the pioneers that paved the way for today’s generation. Off subject, but I think Phonte would have gotten SICK on this track.
Get the Hell Outro
Produced by Adrock
This is the Outro that sounds exactly like the intro.
Tokyo Drift (Fast & Furious) Remix Featuring Fam-Lay, Pharrell, & Pusha T; Produced by The Neptunes
Same beat as the original, only difference is this time the Star Trak family joins in on the fun. The remix is HOT.
Bottom Line:
This is something I never would have listened to, but after listening to the album…I actually enjoyed it. They did not miss a beat with the production on this one. Knowing Japanese might would assist me in enjoying the album more. The Teriyaki Boyz may not be on Hip-Hop heads radar, but they should. Hip-Hop is evolving and branching out to different corners of the world. This album will not be considered “classic” by American standards, but it is one you should definitely check out. If you are looking for a change from the run of the mill Hip-Hop artists, take a trip to the Far East and check out Serious Japanese by the Teriyaki Boyz.
nappyPicks: “Work That”, “Sweet Girl”, “Teriya-King”, “Serious Japanese”, & “I Still Love H.E.R”
Download: Teriyaki Boyz – “Serious Japanese”
