Less than one month after Scarface helped put out Scarface
Presents: The Product – One Hunid, he is ready for more with the release of
My Homies, Pt. 2. This is by NO means a Scarface solo happening,
so any die-hard fans wanting another down-south classic, keep waiting. Now onto
the compilation.
The disc starts off just the way you’d expect – Scarface
laying down his rhymes full of street tales over an eerie yet up tempo
instrumental. The Z-Ro and Ice Cube-assisted banger “Definition of Real,” Cube
steals the show spitting a NWA-reminiscent verse, letting the doubters know
that the movies haven’t taken away from his abilities. “Never Snitch,” the Beanie Sigel and The Game-featured
joint, plays alongside the-ever growing popularity of the “Stop Snitching”
theme. The outcome is a street anthem dedicated to street loyalty and keeping
your mouth shut when dealing with the law. As much respect as I have for Z-Ro’s
attempt at remaking Face’s classic “I Seen a Man Die” – titled “Man Cry” – I can’t stop but think that this is something that
would’ve been better left to the original.
Scarface stays off of the Houston All-Star track, “Platinum Starz,” featuring Lil
Flip, Chamillionaire and Bun B. Over a rather corny Big
Tyme beat, Lil Flip lays a typical verse delivered with his known
slow flow, while Chamillionaire and Bun B come with just absolute
fire, saving the track from being a disaster. Face furthers his
divergence on the album by grabbing a few N.O. natives for the New Orleans’ bounce tracks “We Out Here” and “Club Bangaz,” with Juvenile
being the only artist having a notable verse or anything worth speaking about
after numerous spins of the KLC-produced track. Another special moment
on the CD is the Geto Boys track “My
Life.” Hearing the group together and delivering such a clear picture of
street living is just amazing.
The lack of Scarface vocals definitely takes its toll
overall, especially on “Always,”
featuring Spaide R.I.P.P.E.R., which is just awful. I really can’t say
one good thing about this track. Sad indeed. As Jay-Z did with his
Roc-A-Fella crew on his Dynasty album, Scarface is just using his
name to put his people on. It’s just too bad his “homies” didn’t seem to want
to get there with him. Showing no signs of losing talent, Face displays
why he truly is the “King of the South.”
I would have loved to see more of him throughout the album; instead I get to
listen to the “new south” bring lackluster verses over a decently produced
album, randomly jumping from here to there, lacking any sense of congruity. But
taking the album as it was clearly intended to be, I can’t say that I am fully
disappointed with the release. Can we get a new Scarface album though?
