Biz Kicks A Lil' Sum' For the Radio (Goin' Off - Biz Markie)

Member Name: XICripZ

Product:	Goin' Off - Biz Markie
Date:	17/12/08 (94 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great production

Disadvantages: Lyrics aren't the best

"Goin' Off" is the debut album, from the beatboxer and rapper from Long Island New York, Biz Markie. It came out in 1988, a few years after the likes of the Fat Boys and Doug E. Fresh had got their names up by building up the mainstream beatboxing sound in the Hip Hop game.

1. "Pickin' Boogers"

To start off the thing, you get an introduction to Biz' style by having him do a track to show how his rhymes tend to revevolve aroudn making the listener laugh with humerous material. I woudln't quite say he did this with a tune about "Pickin' Boogers", hoever the bagner beats from Marley Marl keep you engaged.

**Four Stars**

2. "Albee Square Mall"

Biz raps about the mall which is found in the centre of the place he raps, Long Island, New York. You wouldn't expect something so specific in an album like this today, but here it works as it shows how far he has progressed since these years. the only weakness in it is a very poor chorus, which is sang in a rather annoying manner.

**Four Stars**

3. "Biz Is Goin' Off"

This is thtitle track from the album, and so should makquite an impact on you, however i thought that it was a little ineffective in this snse as it took a while for me to really get into it. Once you feel his bouncey, flow, then youi reaslie the quality in the thing. He intermixes the raps with a few self-made sound effects.

4. "Return Of The Biz Dance"

This one is the 'Part 2' to the "Biz Dance" foudn later on in the album. it has Marley Marl do a remix to the thing with some funky fresh beats to accompany a track which puts all the focus on the dance whichc he created. It is a great improvement on the original recording.

**Four Stars**

5. "Vapors"

Probably one of his most well-known tracks from the album, this one gets Biz flowing in a way which sounmds to be more in tune with the style on the East Coast at the time as he goes for a relentless flow of rhymes, all focusing upon his relationship with a girl who follows him at his shows.

**Four Stars**

6. "Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz"

This one has Biz put all his attention on the unique feature of his music as he does one all about beatboxing. He describes its complexity as well as explaining his journey to get people to truely accept it. You can't help but love this one. However the beatboxing skills which he lays down are rather weak by current standards.

**Four Stars**

7. "Biz Dance " (Part 1)

This one is a the first of what I assume to be a series of cuts, in which he introduces us to his own signature groove, the "Biz Dance". I can't say I know what this dance is like, but the track associated with it is a nice one, and has him really get you moving (without knowledge of the actual moves with accompany it).

8. "Nobody Beats The Dance"

Biz raps about his undefeated streak at performing in rap battles against other s who believe they can test him. He justifies it all with lots of jovial lines which he would use against opponents, and shows that there is no stopping him once he has began. I noticed an unexpected sample of "Fly Like An Eagle" amongst the heavy beats which Marley Marl brings.

**Five Stars**

9. "This is Something For The Radio"

Biz kicks a little somethin for the radio listeners, and has him come up with a banger of a tune, in whihc he gets marley marl to come up with an up-tempo one for everyone to bop to as they hear it. Its dedicated to the Djs, and the job whihc they do, the scratches in it acknowledge their massive role in putting the music across.

**Four Stars**

10. "Cool V's Tribute to Scratching"

To end things off, you get a track whihc puts all the focus upon Biz' DJ, Cool V, and he uses this chance effectively by coming up with a massive mix of tracks from a variety of sources. The rapper helps out too with a few lines, but doens't take any majr attetion off the main attraction here.

**Four Stars**

"Goin' Off" is a strong debut album from Biz Markie. i would have to say that the only real weakness in it is that his rhymes aren't that new, and he doesn't do as much beatboxing as you would expect. The beats in this are what drive it, and since Marley Marl was the best around at the time, you know it is nothing but bangers from start to finish.

Summary: Biz Markie's debut album