Busta Rhymes
When Disaster Strikes
[Elektra]
Rating: 8.2
Hip-hop and rap is crowded with some damn interesting folks these days. Two martyrs
have energized and unified the scene, musical risks are being taken, and
personalities are making themselves heard with a vengeance not seen since perhaps
Public
Enemy. High atop the pile are a few powerhouse artists that are bucking
hard against the sound -- stretching the limits. Over to the side, pointing and
laughing gleefully at these pioneers is Busta Rhymes, and he's got his own
agenda.
When Disaster Strikes makes me laugh. Naturally, it's got that
in- yer- face, don't- dare- fuk- wit- me- or- my- posse gangster urgency,
but it's also got
the clown- motherfucker- from- hell thing goin' on. Busta's constantly in yer ear,
yapping like a madman after his meds. Though some of the tracks could be
considered average, few would place anywhere close to ordinary. Plenty of talk of
getting high and slappin' the bitches, but with tounge planted firmly in cheek as
Busta's Rhymes tease the cliches of his niche. Fhat samples, great voice if you
can hack Busta's jagged delivery, and the loops are above the pack. Take yer
meds, sit back with the headphones, and crack a grin.
-James P. Wisdom