Does Busta Rhyme? (It Ain't Safe No More - Busta Rhymes)

Member Name: paulhanton

Product:	It Ain't Safe No More - Busta Rhymes
Date:	13/09/08 (208 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some great changes of musical style throughout.

Disadvantages: Some frankly, naff songs.

It aint safe no more - Busta Rhymes

Released in 2002 this was his 6th album (Wikipedia).

Now I quite like Busta Rhymes, his voice his very distinctive compared to some rappers, deep and quite smooth, yet somehow harsh too, with a distinct New York accent. As well as a pretty successful music career he has also appeared in a number of films, none of them particularly memorable.

Anyway, the music.

~~Tracks~~
1. "Intro"
I am not a fan of 'intro' tracks at the best of times, bit self indulgent usually and this is no exception.

What a bizarre opening; a nursery rhyme based on 'Mockingbird', something we see used by Eminem later on. The child like voice (helium?) basically setting the scene for the album. Hate it; it is not clever or good. 0/10. Not a good start.

2. It Ain't Safe No More
Now this should have opened the album. A great percussion (electronic) beat that sounds almost like a slow heartbeat, Busta rapping over some pretty fast melodic backing singers. Then he is on his own. Usual stuff about bigging himself up and no one else being as good or as hard as him. No big difference there, but it is the beat that grabs you and the mixture of song, rap and his occasional 'exclamations'. Very energetic and angry without any shouting or screaming, quite menacing in a smooth way, good stuff 9/10.

3. What Do You Do When You're Branded
Another really good start, gospel like vocals paving the way for an altogether angrier and lyrically harder Busta. Social lyrics here too. Much more of a 'street' feel (not that I have ever been in the streets of New York. 8/10.

4. Call the Ambulance
This particular song was produced by the Neptune's (Pharrell) which gives it some credence. Backing of a musical representation of a siren, but very repetitive and softer than a siren. Busta raps very differently her, almost like a dog barking, in fact, I swear he barks in parts. I love the way he pronounces 'Ambalaance'. Great song that seems to get more and more urgent and builds well. It leaves one on edge just listening to it. 8/10.

5. We Goin' to Do It to Ya
More R& B influences than rap in some ways, certainly at the beginning of the song, a quick wooden percussion that is so like the riffs that Snoop Dogg now uses. Interesting but does not do a lot for me. 5/10.

6. What Up.
Very electronic start and the by now familiar Busta coming in strong, loud and harsh, then he starts to sing a bit, not sure if it works or not. Another song all about 'the street', bit boring actually. 2/10.

7. Turn Me Up Some
Very R&B backing soundtrack to provide a platform for Busta rapping a bit faster, a bit higher pitch, apart from that not much new, more barking, yawn. 2/10.

8. Make It Clap
This is quite funny, it took me a while to 'get it' you hear this clapping and then realise that 'make it clap' is referring to women's buttocks. Musically it is quite catchy, lyrically it is about women and dance clubs and sex, well it would be if it isn't about violence!!

It is interesting to me that not only Snoop, and Eminem seem to have copied some of Busta (remember this is 2002) but you can hear the influences on 50 Cent in this track, there are real similarities with 'In da club', both in subject matter and lyrical lines used. I do like this as it has a real fun and dance feel about it. 8/10.

9. Take It Off Part 2
Dunno where part 1 was. Really interesting use of an Arabic type backing loop that could be (but don't think it is) Natacha Atlas. This is coupled with Arabic drumming. The song is actually him singing with a female artist, all very call and response. I like the music and his rhythmic rapping, lyrically I tend not to listen as the use of the Souk music just grabs me. Nice one. 8/10. (strange ending, or is it a hidden track about Trojan condoms!!).

10. Taste It
More ho's and sex rapping, not interesting in the slightest. 1/10.

11. Hey Ladies
Again, all about the 'ladies'...the music is actually very good, real Latin feel with a strong bass and drum rythhm which works well as Busta's rap is less powerful. Some very ropey lyrics, music pushes it up to 7/10.

12. I Know What You Want (featuring Mariah Carey
This was released as a single at the time and did pretty well stateside. I love the bassline start. I also love the fact that he tries to really sing in this (aint that good). It is seriously a departure for Busta, almost real R & B and probably the last time Mariah Carey did anything of worth, though actually her panting and sighing aint that good. In fairness she does display some decent vocal range and Busta does his best (bless him) to complement her. Not a bad song, catchy, poppy, not one for me but I recognise the musical worth. 7/10.

13. Riot
Great strong start, drums crashing, Busta talking about causing a riot. Now he is at his best, fast and strong rapping, getting louder and bigger with some clever lyrics. Good stuff, quite infectious and 'grabbing'. 7/10.

14. Hop
Bit of an African flavour to start. Clapping and vocal rhythm in the place of drums, almost acapella rapping, I like this a lot. Again the lyrics are secondary to the way the music is structured, which is very, very good. Rhythmic, almost metronome like beats with lots of interesting uses of vocals, sighs, heavy breathing, barks. Reminds me a bit of Irish mouth music in its innovation and style but clearly not in how it sounds. Really good. 8/10.

15. Together
Rap and spitting to an overtly Latin guitar backing which is really nice, I wish I had the guitar playing with the vocal for a while, it is excellent. A song all about 'Flipmode squad'. Think 'G Unit'...it is Busta's 'crew. Even though there is little substance to this song, apart from the female backing vocal that blends in now and then in an almost Destiny's Child style, I find myself really likeing this. 8/10.

16. Struttin' Like a G.O.D
Awful, truly awful...mix of R & B and Rap, not one for me. 0/10.

17. The Struggle Will Be Lost
Quite interesting, we actually get a story in this one, so lyrically we have something different. Good blend of singing (not Busta) at the beginning and a lovely funky bassline that goes right through you. Then his rapping, supported by vocals. Good stuff. 7/10.

18. Till It's Gone
Serious bass again, some distant trumpets, some funky gospel backing vocals, rhythmic rapping that 'fits' well. Trouble is, whilst it starts well, it doesn't get any bigger, in fact it becomes quite repetitive. 4/10.

19. Make It Clap (Remix) (featuring Sean Paul & Spliff Star)
I like the start of this and we have Sean Paul (not big at this point), Spliff Star and Busta giving it some Jamaican patois stylee, very nice. I think this is much, much better than the original version, and I rarely say that. At one point the rap becomes distinctly dance hall, and it is excellent. To me this is probably the best track on the album, in terms of ; originality, music and catchy hook. 9/10.

~~~Final thoughts~~~
This is not the best rap album in the World, it aint even in the top 20, but it is good. I like the different range of styles that he employs throughout and the last track is inspired. He could have issued this as a 10 track CD and it would have been excellent. As it is, there are too many tracks, and too many of those are not up to scratch. Overall, as CD, just over 5/10.

Summary: Busta, it aint safe no more.