Film Review: Wonder Boys

MC Breed
Albatross Records
Release Date: In stores now

Grade: B-

By Keenan Singleton
Daily Cougar Staff

Think about urban music 10 years ago.

The baby giant that would eventually become hip-hop was still in its infancy when artists such as Young MC, Bobby Brown and Technotronic dominated the airways with the progressively popular music genre.

Houston's first nationally known rapper, MC Breed, debuted and captured the spirit of the entire South Coast.

Breed's signature release "Ain't no Future in Your Frontin'" blazed onto hip-hop radio with the sonically-charged sample that helped Breed sell more than two million copies of his debut album.

Looking to regain his throne as Southern rap's pre-eminent artist, Breed's newest release Rare Breed showcases him without former partner DFC.

The 15-track album separates Breed from his South-Coast brethren with original beats, clever samples and talented rhymes.

The lead single, "Playa Hatta," is reminiscent of the sound heard on Dr. Dre and Tupac's "California Love," with an eerie synth sample under a simple message to the jealous people or "playa hattas" across the nation.

As with all third-coast rappers, the soul-funk influence is present throughout the album.

The most glaring example, "First U F Me," has already successfully established itself as a major club hit throughout the nation.

"First" recounts the story of a guy's ex-girlfriend who has betrayed his trust and creeped with his best friend.

One of the finer efforts on the album, "Put It Down," unfortunately lasts a paltry 1:14.

Complete with a taste of organ funk, "Down" demands your ears' attention.

Following the current trend of highlighting numerous guest rappers, Breed gathers some gifted artists to add color to the CD, but since they aren't listed on the liner notes, it's impossible for them to get credit.

Rare Breed doesn't contain a bona-fide multi-platinum single like "Future," but with at least nine satisfactory tracks on the album, it's the re-introduction to the man named Breed.