Murder Inc. has become a household name over the last couple of years. The charts have been loaded. Thanks to heavy hitters Ja Rule, Ashanti, and the production of hardly ever seen Seven the top of the charts have been “murda.” The rumor mill has been just as heavy. Will Nas sign to Murder Inc.? Is Vita leaving Murder Inc.? As they say, all press is good press. From the cover of Felon magazine, to Dom Diva, to the Source, it’s still “murda.” Riding off of their commercial successes the pressure is on to deliver. Irv Gotti even spits a few bars on “Here We Come“.
Many will purchase this compilation based on the radio smashes “Down 4 U” and “Ain’t It Funny. The rest of the album sounds to be for the mix tapes. High expectations may be the death of this project, as its not a bad album, but its not great either. Many of the artists fail to stand out and create an identity worthy of a solo joint. Charli Baltimore, Black Child, and Chink Santana all get a chance to shine for self that doesn’t succeed. Will any one else from ths crew step up? What happened to Cadillac Tah’s solo album? Can Charli Baltimore hold it down for an entire album?
Lyrically, no ground is broken and no mind is challenged. However, that’s not their focus. The murderous intentions can grow tiresome if not creatively expressed. No song on the album comes out and grabs your attention. “The Pledge” by Ashanti questionably has Cadillac Tah featured. We’ll see if this affects its airplay. We all know radio loves to hear Ja. They pair up with Tha Row on The Next Niggaz and lay down an average cut at best.
I was highly disappointed by this project. Admittedly, I’m an Irv Gotti and Ja Rule fan. However, this project could have been much better with more diverse production and deeper subject matter. Without a doubt, you have to respect his gangsta. At the album’s intro he says he don’t give a fuck and it shows.
