Pras - "Ghetto Supastar" Ruffhouse | |
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Pras - the self-confessed business man of the Fugees. The
quiet one. The one who went to Yale University. The one
that people have been saying that he can't rap. The one
that people think will be lost amidst the hip hop scene.
So why's he got his own album ? Well, it ain't all bad, yo.
Pras has decided to go for self on his own joint. And he's
also he has credits for producing it as well. 'Clef and
Lauryn are late for the party, and by the time they show
up, the albums over.
Pras himself says he respects the conscious rappers, but he isn't one of them, and chooses to portray himself as the self-styled "Ghetto Supastar" instead. And it's all about having good clean fun. Nothing wrong with that if it's done well. And I feel that it has been done well here. Who done talked 'bout that sinking ship, dun? Of course, his singles are here, the truncated political analysis of "Ghetto Supastar" featuring the girly vocals of Mya and the usually effervescent Ol' Dirty Bastard aka Big Baby Jesus. "Blue Angels" is carried through by a Bee Gees sample, this time from the film "Grease" that Pras admits never seeing, saying instead he loves their music. Growing up in a home where his mother did not allow any hip hop, he has developed eclectic musical tastes, as can be seen by the differing styles on this album. The afore-mentioned hits are just one facet of his style. Another is the presence of the gospel choir-sung "Hallelujah" and "Amazing Grace", opening and closing the album. Thankfully, he doesn't decide that they need altering by adding a rap break. He manages to show originality on "What'cha Wanna Do" by producing a radio friendly track without samples! Is this a first in the latter half of the 90s? Still, the R&B chorus of The Product is great... this is one to watch for, as is Free who drops some rhymes, and is likely to be the next Fugee affiliate making it big. The whole track sounds fun, the bass-heavy, and the slight Caribbean influence makes it a sunny track. The Product appears on other tracks such as "Get Your Groove On", showing some potential for club play. You get a feeling that Pras is just having fun, and you can see that on the cover, a mock 70s/80s styled cover with the background and the glasses. A style he doesn't kick with his group. Dirty Cash as he's named himself continues the party grooves without being unashamedly pop with "Wha' What Wha' What" which is kinda hard yet smooth in a paradoxical way. The same could be said of "Yeah 'Eh Yeah 'Eh" with Mack 10 and Reptile. Some people will like the R&B hook and some won't. For those that don't there is "For The Love Of This" over a simplistic beat that works well with his rhymes, and "Lowriders" with new Refugee Campers Most Wanted over a track that further shows the diverse influences that are a part of Pras. Even Canibus pops up for "Can't Stop The Shining", billed as "Rip Rock Part 2", but far superior to Part 1. Employing Lenny Kravitz on the guitar and with Free forming a triumvirate of rappers. This may not be too everyone's tastes, but it is no way near as dire as the first installment. Maybe because the drumbeat has priority over the guitar, and could attract the rock crowd too. Pras has managed to construct a fun album, and if you like the more commercial or varied styles of an artist, Pras is a good example, although the headz looking for the underground flava are less likely to be satisfied with this fix. Still, he's shown he can keep pace with the rest of his Camp, and without ripping off every song in sight. - Roni |
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