By shelz.

It doesn’t matter if he is one fifth of the Fab 5, one third of Random Axe, or one half of Heltah Skeltah, Sean Price has a way of rallying the gutter loving troops.  And whether his name du jour is Ruckus, Donkey Sean Jr, Master P or Kimbo Price, his flow is distinctive and his edges are just as sharp. Sifting through verse after disdainful Ruck verse is like crawling through barbed wire for the pansy ass emcees he targets, but its sheer bliss for the fans that live for the perfect Sean P pot shot. So it goes without saying that Kimbo Price: The Prelude to Mic Tyson will be met with both excitement and trepidation. Even though the tape isn’t as power packed as past releases and the production drags at certain spots, SP still manages to drop some razor sharp and amusing verses and his team of features is top notch without bullying him off his own tracks.

The tape opens with a Michael Buffer style intro that really sounds like Michael Buffer and then rolls right into “Ruckdown” a puffed out chest exclamation of ascendancy that suggests not only is SP running the label but he’s also running these fake thuggers off the Hip-Hop planet.

“MegaSean” finds Price at his sharpest, spitting over what sounds like a 70’s pimp theme as he explains to lesser rappers why his respect is light and why they are and will ever be lame.

On “Boost” featuring PF Cuttin, Sean boosts Kanye’s bass driven track from “The Whole City Behind Us” which was at one time the theme song for the Kang of the prepaids, Boost Mobile. So of course the entire rap sounds like it was done via walkie-talkie complete with those irritating ass chirps.  The terrible clarity might make the words a bit difficult to decipher, but also reminds you why you never signed up for their Friends and Family plan.

Then there is “Pork Chops and Apple Sauce” and an ode to “Soul Food” this is not.  Its two minutes of brutal lambasting of wack southern rappers using Shawty Lo and his track for “Dey Know” as the pinnacle of Hip-Hip’s dirty south dilemma. Sean pulls no punches and amuses himself so much even he has to laugh at the song. I wonder if Mr. Lo will follow in the footsteps of GA’s reigning trap king GUCCI! and toss a Brooklyn bound shot.  If he knows what’s good for him, he won’t.

“Mamma I Want to Sing” sounds like the brutal side of Big Boi’s more sensitive take on a young lady exchanging her childhood dream of being a chanteuse for the flesh trade on “Elevators.” Price along with Duck Down buddy Buck Shot allow this young lady to make that trade with some harsh yet realistic results as they poke fun at her vision while suggesting other things she could be doing with her mouth. The song will be dark and upsetting for some women, a description of last weekend for others.

“Duck Down” presents two members of the labels younger generation, Skyzoo and Torae holding their own against the veteran.  The slow track takes the frenetic feeling of the tape down several notches as the trio explain why they are hot and well, most others are not.  It’s hella sweet. True story.

The features continue with Petro and Royce da 5’9” helping out on “Goodnite!,” Ruste Juxx on “Bueno Times” and of course the project wouldn’t be complete without Rock who trades bars with his partner on “Hot.”  Unfortunately the song isn’t, mainly due to a horribly off key hook.

There isn’t really any garbage on the tape, but there is some of that sneaky filler.  The lone skit, “Slum Shady” is a parody of Em’s “My Name Is..” and attempts to take the almost nonsensical first handful of lyrics in that song to a Brownsvillian level. However, suggesting someone gargle with drain cleaner should really be left to sociopaths. Also, there are some songs like “Street Shit” that have way more track than lyric and unfortunately some of those tracks aren’t strong enough to function all by their lonely. Most of those also come with sleepy forgettable hooks, but it’s Sean Price.  You’re not listening for the hook.

Bottom line it’s pretty good.  It’s not his best, but we all know Sean P’s off days are stronger than some emcees’ shining moments.  The punches, while less in number than his previous efforts, are hurled effortlessly as if he is engaged in a conversation instead of in the booth and his partners in crime throw enough shade to keep the songs chilly when Sean isn’t on the mic.  Kimbo Price is yet another reason other emcees should be on notice. It’s obvious that FDR didn’t know Sean Price because if you’re on Ruck’s shit list, not only should you fear fear itself.  You might want to be a little afraid of Mega Sean too.

 out of 5

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