By shelz.

It is hard to discuss the best of Hip Hop and not bring up an album or two (or maybe even three) from the Boot Camp Clik.  Given, some of their earliest offerings were caught up in a whirlwind of amazing releases being produced during the mid 90’s and therefore shorted the full amount of accolade deserved.  However, almost 15 years out you can’t deny that both Smif n Wessun’s Da Shinin and Heltah Skeltah’s Nocturnal can knock track for track with some of the strongest LP’s produced during that New York Hip Hop renaissance. However, this is classic clash, so you know one has to reign supreme.

Standing on the foundation Black Moon’s Enta Da Stage built, Smif n Wessun continued the Boot Camp tradition with no nonsense street lyrics wrapped in the dank, dark track styling of Da Beatminerz with Da Shinin.  The crime to rhyme and possibly back to crime shtick was nothing new in Hip-Hop, as most of the albums produced during that time had similar themes.  However, Smif n Wessun’s crime while I rhyme thought process dismissed the heavy doses of profundity many rappers were trying to insert in between the gun and drug talk.  This album was not your average street life chronicle, not a note from the sidelines.  It was too hands on for that.  It was more like the perpetrators snatched the news remote van and reported on their own exploits as they occurred.

DJ Evil Dee, Baby Paul and Mr. Walt constructed the perfect ground work for the menacing barrage of weed-fueled aggression and paranoia.  The haunting bass lines, horns and well-placed samples not only kept the time but also produced the necessary emotion to help draw you into Smif n Wessun’s world full of kidnapping, whistling bullets, and late night ambushes. Thoughts of murder became reality in “Wontime.”  Red eyes and the smell of mary jane wafting off the hoodies explain the reckless abandon on “Shinin … Next Ish” and “Hellucination.”  And the entirety of the Boot Camp Clik explained in vivid detail why they should not be flucked with on “Cession at Da Doghillee” including the newest arrivals, Heltah Skeltah.   

 
Dah Shinin

Just as Smif n Wesson was introduced via Enta Da Stage, the world got to know Ruck and Rock through their features on Da Shinin.  Then there was the dome splitting mic passing fest known as “Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka” which cemented them as technical heavyweights within pretty serious company.  So Heltah Skeltah’s debut was much anticipated and worth the wait.

The everpresent chemistry between the partners on Nocturnal was carried through from intro to close.  The production, which was extended to beat makers outside of Da Beatminerz including Lord Jamar, Shaleek and E Swift, was atmospheric and dim.  It was just enough to set the mood for the personality plus pair who could be sinister and humorous at the same time.

The pair taunt and tease, toss shots and place their Timbs square in the back of their antagonists, baiting them to respond.  There is love for like minded soldiers and plenty of space for the rest of the clik to get down in agreement. They are lyrically pompous and claim anyone fool hearted enough to trespass in Bucktown will get sent home in a body bag. In “Lethal Brainz Blo” Sparksy and Dutch declare they have slugs enough for your mom to get caught with one if you want to test them.  The pair claims they have lyrically forced all emcees into Hip-Hop submission in “The Square.” And “Undastand” lets you know in no uncertain terms that war is here.  The opponent is anyone and everyone and Ruck and Rock don’t plan on leaving the battle in defeat. Its hard, harsh New York gangsta at its finest.

Boot Camp Clik does not pull punches and they don’t really care about your feelings.  And amazingly they were able to produce and package those cold hearted thoughts and deeds into two back to back albums that demand your respect and ears. But which one did you let knock til the tape popped? Speak on it.

Nocturnal

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