Like many beatmakers before him, Virginia-bred producer Nottz had specific ambitions: he wanted to venture behind the mic. Those in similar shoes and with similar dreams tend to approach the craft in a variety of ways: some surround themselves with enough talent to drive attention away their own verbal ineptitude, some employ ghostwriters to make sure their bars are on point, and some make sure the production is so incredible, the lyrics are rendered trivial. (And yeah: some do all three.) Oh, and others are just good at that rapping thing. File this dude in that last category.
Over the past decade-plus, Nottz has earned a solid reputation as a reliable producer, supplying a strong collection of bangers to a group of well-respected emcees (including Busta Rhymes, Xzibit, G-Unit, Game, and Ghostface Killah, among others). Though he’s been in the game since the late 1990s, and despite his extensive production catalog—which contains Kanye West’s “Barry Bonds” and Snoop Dogg’s “That’s That Shit”—the dude has remained relatively below the radar. Even though you might’ve heard his name and may or may not affiliate it with dope beats, you most likely don’t know much about Nottz, the actual person.
And on his first solo album, You Need This Music, not a lot is done to change that. Many of the songs concern the material itself (examples of a few song titles: “You Need This Music,” “Blast That” 
, “I Do It For Yawl”, etc.), very true subjective things are shared besides the revelations of “Right Here.” There are some cool themes (the female-dedicated “No Money Down” and the R.I.P. tribute “A Dream Come True” both hit hard), but he spends a little too much time using the music to talk about, well, the music.
Aside from some been-played-out subject matter, Nottz shows impressive versatility as both a surprisingly capable spitter and an executive producer with a nice rolodex. Nottz Raw is above capable of switching up flows and bouncing rhymes off one another so fluidly you’ll forget about the whole “not a real rapper” thing pretty quickly. He slows down and speeds up as the sonics demand, never fumbling over words or sounding awkward and out of place as an emcee.
The guests he brings along are worthwhile and well placed, too: Royce Da 5’9” and Snoop make interesting appearances on “Never Caught Slippin’” , Joell Ortiz is the ideal storyteller to help with the in-and-out-of-jail tale on “The Cycle” , and putting Asher Roth on a song about community and upbringing (“Dontcha Wanna Be (My Neighbor)”) could be either the most brilliant or most obnoxious move of the year.
As you’d hope is the case, You Need This Music is filled an excellent selection of beats. The soundscape ranges from full-blown New York-influenced boom bap (“Fair Warning”) to soft and soulful “How Long Will It Last”, with a few quick stops in between. A range of samples are employed, and like the majority of his catalog, nothing really stands out in particular—it all sort of just has that trademark Nottz knock. Throughout the last 15 years, Nottz has provided album-cuts on classic long-players. While the hits and namebrand recognition are still coming, it’s not hyperbole to say that the onetime DMP leader is one of your favorite rapper’s favorite producers. However, while his network is thick, as are his basslines, YNTM proves that like Jay-Z told Memphis Bleek, Nottz Raw is just one hit away.
HIP HOP DX you suck you hate real Hip Hop music and who ever is rating these albums you should go kill yourslef.
co-sign 300%
I co-sign as well!!
this is a decent album. sounds good, kinda repetitive but the beats bang on most tracks
too many guests, and half of em wack.
This album was garbage, just like Black Milk’s, the beats all sound the same with those hard hitting kicks and wack samples. The beats themselves are all one-bar loops and have no melodies. Nottz can’t rap and sounds like Souja Boi on most tracks, and the guest all seem to have phoned their vocals in (or emailed them by MP3).
The beats are really uncreative, like the saying goes: “if you heard one Nottz beat, you have heard them all.”
I would like to apologize for this guy’s comment. He absolutely knows nothing about hip hop to have made this comment and definitely has know ear for music. This is an extremely good album. If you love hip hop, you will dig this album. I am a true underground hip hop head and have never heard that saying about Nottz. Stop making shit up son. It’s not funny.
co-sign 200%
Amazing like black milk’s album, the beats are insane, period.
This album is *great* from beginning to end. I was impressed because Nottz did old school rap on his cd. He has something to rap/talk about. Listen to the words. It’s deep. Not only that, but, he gives a history lesson in “A Dream Come True”. Besides there being actual meat and potatoes to his music, the beats are off of the chain. Kudos to you, Nottz Raw!
what up yall i’m an up and coming producer check ya boi out and let me know what yall think! peace! http://lnk.ms/FhM37
Despite a middle of the road ranking, this album ranks pretty high with repeat listens for me. It may not be the house-music glossy stuff on the radio right now, but for people who ride for Little Brother sounds and respect the producer/rapper, this is a pretty solid album. Dilla spit about production, as did Pete Rock and many of the real heads who do beats and rhyme. I did not expect “lyrical miracles” from Nottz, but 3/4ths of this album is great to me and will rock my Ipod for the for seen future.
sounds nice
nottz sucks.
and your name is poo. enough said
haha
his beats slap, and that what i was looking for when u purchased the album
I gave this 5 stars to offset your underrating of this album. This is a great album, much doper than some stuff you rated 4 stars and up
GTFOH HHDX
it’s a pretty dope album… a few bum tracks but mostly the beats bang…. lyrically he’s about 2.5 stars: he sometimes sounds like Kanye with that lame tonal stretching out of the rhyming word…. while the cameo’s are not bad, he could’ve beefed it up lyrically with some guest appearances… i gave it 4.
it’s a pretty dope album. a few bum tracks but mostly the beats bang. lyrically he’s about 2.5 stars: he sometimes sounds like Kanye with that lame tonal stretching out of the rhyming word. while the cameo’s are not bad, he could’ve beefed it up lyrically with some guest appearances. i gave it 4.
it’s a pretty dope album… a few bum tracks but mostly the beats bang…. lyrically he’s about 2.5 stars: he sometimes sounds like Kanye with that lame tonal stretching out of the rhyming word…. while the cameo’s are not bad, he could have beefed it up lyrically with some guest appearances… i gave it 4.
it’s a pretty dope album. a few bum tracks but mostly the beats bang. lyrically he’s about 2.5 stars- he sometimes sounds like Kanye with that lame tonal stretching out of the rhyming word. while the cameo’s are not bad, he could have beefed it up lyrically with some guest appearances. i gave it 4.
Album Is Worth The Purchase!
This a very dope album. One of the best hip hop albums I have heard this year. It’s refreshing.
This Album is a classic. All true Hiphop heads recognize! production & rhymes are sick!!!
I’ve always liked Nottz. he can bring those hard drums similar to Dilla and switch over to a premierish beat or slow tempoed Dreish beat. Ever since I first heard his beats on Rah Diggas album I automatically became a fan. ..i will say this tho. His first sole album was weak. i tried to give it a shot but just could not get into it….I just hope this album isnt anything like that one.