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Calling all hip hop practitioners; it’s that time again. While vacationing at the beach for Memorial Day, I stumbled across a young swag team of skaters. Each was practicing some new move that usually only the pros take a stab at. One of the kids had his Zune player jammed into his ears as if it were a diamond stud. When inquired as to his musical choice he instructed me that he was listening to the new Blackout 2 album. I was totally shocked and semi embarrassed to find that even I had neglected to check out the new album from this one time mega skilled duo, of Method Man and Red Man. I quickly  grabbed a disc and went back to my room, here’s the result.

It’s been a decade since the first Blackout album. Ten years is a dumb gap to take in the music industry. Remember you’re only as hot as your last hit, so you do the math. As I listened, I knew it would take a promotional miracle to get these guys back in the spotlight. Overall the album is a decent effort. “I’m Dope N*gga” was structured around a hard knocking base line. Once you hear it you become a student of the serious flow about to enter the track. “A-Yo” as we know was one of the singles actually released and is definitely one of the funny party tunes on deck.

“Hey Zulu” is moderately catchy and something that you would typically expect from a Meth and Red collaboration. “City Light” has a great potential. My only complaint is that its influence is to sternly southern. It fails to boost the east coast superstars leaving them in the shadows of Bun B. My two favorite joints are “Father’s Day” this jazzy track is a smooth creation. It’s what you would get if hip hop shook hands with Curtis Mayfield. This should be considered head music and a deep attempt successfully placed in tact. My other would be “Mrs. International” this is the total opposite of the hyper tongue lashes that we were once exposed too by this partnership. It clearly demonstrates that Method Man and Red Man have matured. The song is well polished for the ladies and is truly grown.

Also it’s worth mentioning that there are some iconic hip hop features through out the album such as Keith Murray, Erick Sermon, Raekwon, and Ghostface Killah. In the end The Blackout 2 wasn’t half bad at all, but it probably will not make it onto the radar of mainstream hip hop followers. The group does however still compliment each well with their fitted delivery. The album doesn’t tote the energy that we’re use to experiencing with the two, its hard to say whether that’s good or bad. I think all though this was a nice try to win back an audience in the music industry, this alone simply won’t be enough.

Official Track List for the Blackout 2:

1.      B.O.2 (INTRO)
2.      I’M DOPE NI**A
3.      A-YO – feat. Saukrates
4.      DANGERUS MCEES
5.      ERRBODY SCREAM – feat. Keith Murray
6.      HEY ZULU
7.      CITY LIGHTS – feat. Bun B
8.      FATHER’S DAY
9.      MRS. INTERNATIONAL (SKIT)
10.    MRS. INTERNATIONAL – feat. Erick Sermon
11.    HOW BOUT DAT – feat. Ready Roc & Streetlife
12.    DIS IZ 4 ALL MY SMOKERS
13.    LOCK DOWN (SKIT) – feat. DJ Kayslay
14.   FOUR MINUTES TO LOCK DOWN – feat. Raekwon & Ghostface killah
15.   NEVA HERD DIS B 4
16.   I KNOW SUMPTN – feat. Poo Bear
17.   A LIL BIT – feat. Melanie Rutherford

Written By Sha'Linda Jeanine

Sha’Linda holds a M.S. and B.S. in Mass Communications. In addition to The Koalition she is also a journalist/author for HipHopDX, AllHipHop, Yo Raps, HHW, etc. Her focal point is Hip-Hop the genre and lifestyle. This examination is her concern, responsibility, and cultural investigation.

1. BLACK iNK iNC says:

   June 2, 2009 at 6:27 am

   Ok! I knew that the B.S. was coming. This is ridiculous with these reviews. This album is easily a classic and you are trying to play it out as mediocre! You gave Rick Ross’s album a better rating and I thought that it couldn’t compare to Black Out 2 in any arena. Red and Meth keep doing your thing. I appreciate your skills. Newark Bricks and Shaolin Stand up. Cop this album because it is easily worth the 9.99 you spend.

   Reply
2. chichi says:

   June 9, 2009 at 5:42 pm

   http://www1.loud.com/video/redman-and-method-man-on-loudcom-favorites/
   Check out meth and red as thy recite their fav lines in Hop HOp

   Reply
3. nilsson says:

   July 7, 2009 at 8:11 am

   best album of the year, listen to it again. this album is money in the bank

   Reply