The name “Ruste Juxx” doesn’t really ring any bells outside of his native Brooklyn, and that’s for a mixed bag of reasons. Aside from the fact that the fierce rapper is known as little more than a protegé of Sean Price, Ruste Juxx usually gets his buzz from the other Hip Hop ‘heads he’s known for working for (like R.A. The Rugged Man and Marco Polo).
The best thing that can be said about the 19-track King of Crime Heights album (so named for the Crown Heights district of Brooklyn in which he grew up) is that he’s chosen great beats for all the tracks. But that, really, is due to the consistency of Raticus, the guest producer for this album. Raticus prefers to use boom-bap beats that defined the East Coast Hip Hop of the 1990s, and while it may sound “tired” to the Gen-Z ear, it actually creates a melodic sound that is woefully absent in today’s rap music. (Not that “mumble rap” will necessarily sound better over a boom-bap beat, but it would at least be a step in the right direction.)
Unfortunately, while there are a few well-concealed gems on King of Crime Heights, and Ruste’s effort is certainly an ambitious one, the overall vibe of the joint is one that lacks focus.
This album comes nowhere near the greatness of 2016’s Meteorite, Juxx’s album with the brilliant Kyo Itachi behind the boards. Meteorite was a daring breath of fresh air that showcased Juxx’s ability to flex his rhyming muscle over unique, J-Pop-meets-Hip Hop beats.
Here, we get stuck with tracks like “Guerilla Groovin’,” which starts off with canned roars from a gorilla in the zoo (no, really), goes into the lyrics “roll the red carpet out/All hail Juxx, I’m the muthafuckin’ king in this/can’t connect, how the fuck you gon’swing in this?/Ring the alarm, now the sound is dying/you say you the truth, but you sound like you lyin’,” and ends with an R&B sample. How does all of this even make sense to you, sir?
The clunky “Guerilla Groovin'” is the perfect example of a song that veers off course, and it’s a feeling that permeates throughout King of Crime Heights. It’s an album that could have been great but falls woefully short, and merely sits somewhere around fair to partly cloudy. That might be enough for a lesser rapper, but for Ruste Juxx — who is capable of greatness — King of Crime Heights is a royal disappointment.
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I don’t know what the hell the reviewer was listening to, but I like all but 2 tracks on here. Mind you, I’m older, love that boom bap rap and hate damn near anything that is mainstream now. These reviewers must be young.
She gave lil yachty the same score on a review, if that helps explain your confusion.
Wow. I really disagree with this reviewer. Way off. This album bangs from beginning to end. A true breathe of fresh air for those looking for hard lyrics and boom bap beats with scratching not to mention a solid line up guest appearances. This is one of my favorite albums from Juxx. Listen for yourselves.
Wow this review is way off.. This album bangs from beginning to end. Albums aren’t made this way anymore. Ruste Juxx continues to come with that raw in your face flow and rhymes over classic Golden Era style production. Album sounds like Brooklyn! This project has 20 tracks and is a true piece of art. Never heard of this producer Raticus – but I cant front these beats are bangers and with Juxx spitting on them it a pretty simple formula for dope hip hop. Listen for yourself!
This reviewer is clearly an idiot with little to no writing abilities. How the fuck is this a review?
Feeling this album. Like how it flows together.. Love the chaotic beats. Juxx is Juxx which = fire!
Peace from Amsterdam! Ruste Juxx is dope. Concrete Chronicles with Planet Asia is my shit. Album is really really good. Salute Ruste Juxx and Raticus. Hip Hop lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
right to your own opinion.. this is one of the best hip hop albums this year… i stress “hip hop” in the traditional sense if you looking for trap style music this would be a terrible album for you but if you are a hip hop purist like me this is a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Ruste Juxx and Raticus put together a master piece and it is 20 tracks shiiiiitttttttttt…. All boombap
a 3.0? now this is beyond disrespectful on all sorts of levels. Ruste Juxx has delivered a superfire as all hell project from start to finish.
Dope beats dope rhymes equal dope album. Ruste juxx in your face hiphop over dirty grimey brooklyn beats. no weak shit on this album. Raticus put this together in good way… hiphop heads must hear.. Salute
Finished listening to this gem this weekend. I am amazed in 2018 an album like this has been made.
Juxx with incredible features beats are fire grungee street. Great cohesion between Ruste Juxx and Raticus. A+ must hear people. Not sure what reviewer is talking about.
How y’all didn’t acknowledge the fact Juxx dropped a CLASSIC album in July of this year – Jake And The Juxxman album wit Jake Palumbo on the boards. King Of Crime aint my FAVORITE Juxx album per say, but it’s better than this review give credit before, n it’s like the THIRD album he drop this year?!?
She said that the name Ruste Juxx doesn’t ring any bells outside of Brooklyn lool…Juxx most recently performed at the High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam alongside another Hip Hop legend, Devin the Dude & right after that show he did another one in Finland + Juxx just came back from a tour in Canada. So please get your facts straight lady!
Doesn’t ring bells outside Brooklyn? Are you crazy??? Ruste been worldwide for years. Im in the UK and always check for his work.
Whole review invalid! Get the album people, it’s dope
Hip Hop is alive on here. This is a dope project. Rivals my favorites Meteorite with Kyo and Exxxecution with Marco. Raw hard core rhymes with a dope grimey hard hitting beats. Juxx is internationally known… Raticus did a dope EP with Vast Aire, and he fully went in here with a 20 track album fully produced. One of my favorite albums of 2018 hands down.
Got to totally disagree with your review here. Straight beats and rhymes. At least a 4!
Was surprised when I read the review and then I get to the community section and I new my opinion was spot on. Totally missed the release of this. This dude Juxx drops albums every few months. This is a dope project. Love the concept of the album. The transitions from song to song keep it fresh.. like a story. Must hear!
One of the dopest albums of the year and sorry to say prolly wont get the recognition it deserves. Ruste always comes with it. You can tell Raticus put time and effort into the beats with the samples he chose to use. This shit is fire and the album deserves a 5 out of 5. And I’m not even in Brooklyn, I’m from Philly and absolutely know this dude and his name rings bells outside of NY lol. This site needs better reviewers.
This album is so dope. Been on repeat. If you are a Juxx fan this is so doooooppppppeeeeeee. Nice production work from Raticus. I cant honestly say I have heard a better theme music for the Crown Heights veteran. Not sure what Bernadette was talking about in this review.
This lady is use to listening to drake and lil pump trash.