Method Man & Redman
Blackout! 2 (Def Jam)
Redman and Method Man are stuck in time. It's been 10 years since the outsized rap personalities joined forces for Blackout! (Def Jam). A decade, a handful of solo albums, and some memorable acting credits later, a question looms: Do they have anything left in the tank? Blackout! 2 is a weed-infused “Yes.”
Kicking things off with the grungy intro “BO2,” America’s most blunted end the song with some familiar call-and-response mic camaraderie: Meth answers, “Underground rap…” to Red’s, “That's what you hearing,” and together they yell, “Middle finger up like, ‘Fuck y'all feelings!’" Blackout! 2 is an album with few concessions. The foundation is production from old faithfuls like Erick Sermon (“Dangerous MCees”) and Rockwilder (“Hey Zulu”), as well as fresh blood like Vinny Idol (“How About Dat”) and Swiff D (“Errbody Scream”). Each producer helps to create an overall mood that’s not quite as dark as its predecessor—the RZA is notably absent—but nevertheless playfully bangs.
Red and Meth never stray too far from witty punch lines and their Cheech & Chong-of-rhyme act. On “Dis Iz 4 All My Smokers,” DJ Scratch lifts piercing, melancholic strings for a worthy addition to hip hop’s crowded list of marijuana anthems. Says Meth: “They tried to make me go to rehab, no / Tell my P.O. that I ain’t trying to let the weed bag go / You can catch me in the whip pushing the seats back slow, my chick’s a vegan, that mean she off the meat rack, though.”
In spite of the static themes, with 10 solo albums between them, Meth and Red know how to roll up a cohesive project. The bluesy, Ty Fyffe-produced “Father’s Day” or the sinister, Havoc-produced “I’m Dope Nigga” will keep devout fans satiated, while showing little regard for mainstream ears. Meanwhile, radio-accessible fare like first single “A-Yo,” featuring Saukrates, or the bubbly “Mrs. International,” featuring Erick Sermon, feel effortless rather than forced.
In a young man’s game, the middle-aged MCs have forged an album that reflects their belief that skills will always trump bells and whistles. Don’t mistake it for complacency—blame it on consistency. BO2 passes the smell test.
Method Man and Redman's "Blackout! 2" is in stores 5/19/09
Blackout! 2 Track listing1. "BO2" (Intro)
2. "I'm Dope Nigga"
3. "A-Yo" feat. Saukrates
4. "Dangerous MCees"
5. "Errbody Scream" feat. Keith Murray
6. "Hey Zulu"
7. "City Lights" feat. Bun B
8. "Father's Day"
9. "Mrs. International" (skit) feat Tanisha Green, Michelle Pinckney & Saukrates
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, C.O. Ellis & Ready Roc
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
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