Straight Gangsterism

“Gangsta (Put Me Down)” is an overlooked joint that appears on the Geto Boys 1998 album Da Good, Da Bad & Da Ugly. It features Beyonce and, former Destiny’s Child, LaTavia Roberson on the hook and video. I wasn’t a big fan of it ten years ago, but after listening to it again, it’s not a bad commercial single. Both ‘Face and Willie D had strong performances.

That whole album was a bit of dissapointment to me. It’s predecessor, 1996′s The Resurrection, was a masterpiece. Bushwick Bill had fallen out with Rap-A-Lot and was absent from this release. Facemob’s DMG was supposed to be his replacement, but ended up appearing on only 4 tracks.  Had he been on more songs, it would have been a better album. DMG is such a strong MC. This album was essentially a showcase of the Rap-A-Lot 2000, featuring appearances by Yukmouth, the Outlawz, Dorcacell, Tela and other of their late 1990s signees. If you notice, the video features Tyrin Turner who starred as Caine in the film Menace II Society. Well Turner, under the name Caine, was signed to Rap-A-Lot as an artist around this time. He appears on the album’s opening track “Dawn 2 Dusk.” I don’t know whatever came of that. He wasn’t that bad.

*Chunk Deuce*

New heater by Big Mike (formerly of the Geto Boys) and Rick Ross, produced by Chops. Definitely hot. Good to see Big Mike making some noise. Has not lost a step!

Big Mike f/ Rick Ross “Animals”

Geto Boys “Straight Gangstaism” from Til Death Do Us Part (1993).

I jacked the title of my blog straight from this Geto Boys track. I think its an excellent example of why I love old school g-rap. Its vivid, vociferous, articulate, and unapologetic (everthing I want my blog/writings) to be. If you listen to Big Mike’s and 3-2′s verses, you see that gangstas aren’t born in a test tube, like all of us, their lifestyle is the outcome of a process that began before they were even born. This is the video version which includes a dope verse from Scarface.

Peace