For the first time in 3 years, Andre Nickatina releases yet another solo under the famous "Cocaine Raps" name: Conversation with a Devil. The King collaborates with his usual supporting cast of producers, namely Nick Peace, Mr. Peete, Julian, and Krushadelic as well as Jae Rilla to create a 15 track LP with only one guest feature, Equipto.
Like most of Nickatina's releases post Dre Dog releases, CR3 relies heavily on concepts and funkadelic, blues style production. Nickatina blends soulful and realistic lyrics with professional sounding piano and acoustic sounds. Perhaps the most emotionally stirring piece is "Soul of A Coke Dealer," a slow paced heavenly sounding ode to cocaine dealers. CR3 continues to build on Dre's unusual and intoxicated image, covering the life of a lonely rap cat from love with strippers to the trials and tribulations of a coke dealer to death at a "Show Gone Wrong."
Nickatina's imfamous desire to experiment continues to grab attention from a listeners standpoint, for both better and for worse. In "Train With no Love," an art-of-storytelling masterpiece about a jailed drug dealer, production relies on support from windchimes low toned backround clatter. The "Rise and Fall of a Rap Cat," boasts 60's reminiscent guitar notes and xylophone tips and taps. The diverse mixture of bass, piano, and guitar, both electric and acoustic provides professional sounding music quality enough to knock in a ride but pleasantly musical enough to enjoy at a rock concert. Nicky's only experimental mistake this album may have been "Fist Full of Dollars," a rap written to an Irish jigg which is surprisingly entertaining for a minute but very repetitive.
As with some of Nickatina's previous releases, CR3 lacks strong delivery and multiple syllable rhymes. Nickatina even attempts to sing on a few tracks, a move I still have mixed feelings about. Still, Nickatina proves he is a worthy MC in quite a few tracks, such as the Bay Area themed "Fly Like a Bird," featuring comical commentary from Cutthoat Committee rapper Dubee. One liners like "Bumpin C-Bo on the way to Tahoe," and "All my tigers love the bottle like Tyson loves Cuss DAmatto" are the lyrical memories most Nickatina fans will take with them. "Summer in Florida," a slow paced bass pumping anthem brings back the sounds of Dre Dog circa 1995 or so.
From cover art to production to Nickatina himself, CR3 proves an entertaining and confusing ride through Nickatina's constant thought. Snippets and short interludes continue to be the theme as introductions and outros to Nickatina song, borrowing qoutes from gangster moves and even the Lion King. Surprisingly, Dre even borrows a Dante-reminiscent metaphor (he's talking about the devil when he says "Belly of the Beast" folks).
Overall, CR3 is well worth your $15, even if you arent a fan of Nickatina's earlier works. The production alone is worthy of a few spins, and although Nicky's lyrics are only above average, his concepts and ideas kick ass and shine throughout the whole CD. This is a must pick up for any Bay Area or Nickatina fan.
Overall: 8/10
Like most of Nickatina's releases post Dre Dog releases, CR3 relies heavily on concepts and funkadelic, blues style production. Nickatina blends soulful and realistic lyrics with professional sounding piano and acoustic sounds. Perhaps the most emotionally stirring piece is "Soul of A Coke Dealer," a slow paced heavenly sounding ode to cocaine dealers. CR3 continues to build on Dre's unusual and intoxicated image, covering the life of a lonely rap cat from love with strippers to the trials and tribulations of a coke dealer to death at a "Show Gone Wrong."
Nickatina's imfamous desire to experiment continues to grab attention from a listeners standpoint, for both better and for worse. In "Train With no Love," an art-of-storytelling masterpiece about a jailed drug dealer, production relies on support from windchimes low toned backround clatter. The "Rise and Fall of a Rap Cat," boasts 60's reminiscent guitar notes and xylophone tips and taps. The diverse mixture of bass, piano, and guitar, both electric and acoustic provides professional sounding music quality enough to knock in a ride but pleasantly musical enough to enjoy at a rock concert. Nicky's only experimental mistake this album may have been "Fist Full of Dollars," a rap written to an Irish jigg which is surprisingly entertaining for a minute but very repetitive.
As with some of Nickatina's previous releases, CR3 lacks strong delivery and multiple syllable rhymes. Nickatina even attempts to sing on a few tracks, a move I still have mixed feelings about. Still, Nickatina proves he is a worthy MC in quite a few tracks, such as the Bay Area themed "Fly Like a Bird," featuring comical commentary from Cutthoat Committee rapper Dubee. One liners like "Bumpin C-Bo on the way to Tahoe," and "All my tigers love the bottle like Tyson loves Cuss DAmatto" are the lyrical memories most Nickatina fans will take with them. "Summer in Florida," a slow paced bass pumping anthem brings back the sounds of Dre Dog circa 1995 or so.
From cover art to production to Nickatina himself, CR3 proves an entertaining and confusing ride through Nickatina's constant thought. Snippets and short interludes continue to be the theme as introductions and outros to Nickatina song, borrowing qoutes from gangster moves and even the Lion King. Surprisingly, Dre even borrows a Dante-reminiscent metaphor (he's talking about the devil when he says "Belly of the Beast" folks).
Overall, CR3 is well worth your $15, even if you arent a fan of Nickatina's earlier works. The production alone is worthy of a few spins, and although Nicky's lyrics are only above average, his concepts and ideas kick ass and shine throughout the whole CD. This is a must pick up for any Bay Area or Nickatina fan.
Overall: 8/10
