It is vitally important for anyone participating in the
creative expression of Hip Hop to understand the concept of lifecycles. Basically,
a lifecycle is the process beginning with birth, proceeding through maturity
and development, and finally, ending in death. Gangsta rap, for the most part,
has already completed a full circle within this process. Yet, gangsta rap still
continues to claim victims who have become mired in its redundancy. The latest
casualty to this epidemic is none other than B-Legit with his Hempin’
Ain’t Easy. To those unfamiliar with B-Legit
he is the brother of the once much-lauded E-40,
a major proponent of the gangsta rap genre. To his credit B-Legit has crafted an album that is at time’s entertaining,
despite its sense of being outdated.
Don’t expect revolutionary concepts or rhymes that induce you to hit the rewind
button time and again. Rather what you can expect from Hempin’ Ain’t Easy are some good funked-out beats and basslines,
and occasionally a humorous line or two. Blaze
It, and Touch You There are nice,
relaxed cuts that make a suitable soundtrack for anyone in chill mode. The old
school styling of Grape Vine is
successful at encouraging a head nod, and the deep sax rumblings accent the
beat to a tee. The primary problem with Hempin’
Ain’t Easy is that these tracks are differentiated very little from the
others on the record. No song really distinguishes itself with its own clear
identity. Another disappointment came by way of the guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, and Mack 10, all
of whom represented at less than their best.
In summation, B-Legit‘s Hempin’ Ain’t Easy is an OK album by today’s
standards. Simply put, Hempin’ Ain’t Easy
missed its era of calling, had it been released, say in 1994, it may have
become a hit record.
