Although opinions are divided on Killah Priest’s debut album, Heavy Mental, the general consensus is that he could have come better. In fact, the general consensus for the last few years is that all of Wu could have come better. In 2000, with a nice Ghostface album, the acclaimed Ghost Dog Soundtrack, and some compilation appearances, there is a buzz that Wu-Tang may be back to original form. Expectations are high once again, and Killah Priest is obviously one of their most talented affiliates. Sadly, he shows flashes of brilliance on A View from Masada, but loses focus in the course of the album, and emerges with a mediocre sophomore effort.
The intro leads us into the title track, which does exactly what a title track should do: introduces the album. KP shows solid storytelling ability over a banging beat. He continues this on “Hard Times,” constantly blending in his trademark religious references. On “Gotta Eat,” we begin to see the problem with this album – it is a decent song until KP explains in the chorus, “I do this shit for my thugs/ I do this shit for my chicks at the clubs…”
The irony of “Gotta Eat” is not fully made apparent until the following song, “Whut Part of the Game.” Here, Ras Kass joins in to address fake emcees. This collab will make any listener fiend for the supposedly upcoming Four Horsemen project (Ras Kass, Killah Priest, Canibus, and Kurupt). But, wait a minute… Killah Priest is actually reprimanding rappers for doing the same thing he just did on the previous song. For all its glory, “Whut Part of the Game” looks even worse after the next song, “I’m Wit That,” which picks up where “Gotta Eat” left off. This is beginning to look like an album geared for strictly commercial heads rather than the underground, and growing in hypocrisy by the minute.
“Bop Your Head” gets the album back on track, although many people will say this collab with Canibus could have been much better. Over a fairly laid back beat (for Canibus at least), Killah Priest proclaims, “I’m a vocalist/ Supposed to rip/ The Last Poets told me this.” And then the album REALLY goes downhill. “Rap Legend” and “When Will We Learn” will make you cringe at the sound of commercialized beats and hooks. At this point, the inconsistencies in Killah Priest’s flow also become tiresome. “Live By The Gun” showcases the skills of Rose Cartel, who bears a horrifying resemblance to a member of Bone. Sadly, this song isn’t much worse than those surrounding it.
Although KP regains some dignity with “If I Die,” you can’t help but feel disappointed by A View From Masada by the album’s end. Whether or not you were previously a fan, it is apparent in the beginning of this LP that he has lots of talent, only to waste it away later. And while some want to label KP one of the top lyricists in the industry, his inconsistent flow and subject matter don’t seem to earn him this distinction. Regardless of if you listen to mainstream or underground hip hop, you will find some songs on this album that you enjoy. Killah Priest has aimed to satisfy everyone. But similarly, you will find at least as many songs that will make you wince in frustration.
-Joe Kostelnik
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