New collaborative full-length between Hawthorne, California by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania emcee Kurupt alongside Brooklyn, New York emcee Masta Killa & finally pioneering Long Island emcee/producer Rakim. All 3 of whom are notable in their own rights where it be Rakim being acknowledged as The God MC or Young Gotti & Jamel Irief coming up as members of Tha Dogg Pound & the almighty Wu-Tang Clan respectively. They linked up a couple years ago on the “Be Ill” single & that singlehandedly sparked interest in making The Godbody LP produced by Nick Wiz & Rakim under Holy Toledo Productions & Compound Interest Entertainment a reality.
“Goin’ Down” gets things started hopping over a sample-driven beat talking about wanting no parts with any of these fake ass rappers whereas “DPG Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang DPG” goes for a boom bap vibe instrumentally reminding the world exactly what they do best. “Rock Ya Body” by Tha Dogg Pound, Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah & Raekwon brings all 5 of them together over some horns for a hardcore hip hop skullsmasher leading into “Push the Button” getting on grown man time.
WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg appears during the remix of “Rabbit” whipping up a west coast anthem suited for driving around in a low rider & after the “God Speak” interlude, “A Different Kind” by Rakim talks about The God being a whole breed of his own category. “Is It Love?” treads the symphonic boom bap waters topically demonstrating a more romantic side to them just before “Thelonius” featuring Buckshot, Rim & Trigga goes full rap rock so they talk about being the ones.
“Nights Over Brooklyn” by Masta Killa further embraces the rap rock elements recalling a lot of lives & souls being lost when the 80s crack epidemic happened while “Upstate Introspective” bittersweetly lets the most Wu’s most proficient affiliate Killa Sin spit a brief verse from a prison phone. “Still Ill” featuring Kool G Rap & KRS-One comes through with a worthy “Be Ill” sequel while “9 & Chrome Fiend” by Kurupt properly sends off The Godbody LP heavily sampling “Microphone Fiend”.
The Godbody LP was simultaneously built to showcase the diversity & versatility of Kurupt, Masta Killa & Rakim while simultaneously reshaping a vision the late 2Pac has prior to his death of bridging the east & the west coast for a planned album called 1 Nation that the Outlawz tried to recreate in 2021 preceding their disbandment following Young Noble’s passing. Hopefully this means we’re a step closer to the G.O.Ds Network (REB7RTH) sequel containing lesser guest appearances than its counterpart now that the mission of building upon mutual respect, legacy, uncompromising artistry & coastal unity was a success.
Score: 8/10
