Run DMC-"Crown Royal"
Label: Arista
Rating: 

Tracks:
It's Over (featuring: Jermaine Dupri)
Them Girls (featuring: Fred Durst)
Rock Show (featuring: Stephen Jenkins)
The School of Old (featuring Kid Rock)
Lets Stay Together (featuring Jagged Edge)
Take The Money and Run (featuring Everlast)
Here We Go 2001 (featuring Sugar Ray)
Queens Day (featuring Nas and Prodigy)
Crown Royal
Simmons Incorporated (featuring Method Man)

Let me state up front, for the record, I love Run DMC. They were the first rappers I ever listened to. Whether it was the "Tougher Than Leather" album, or "Raising Hell" or anything else they've released in their 20 some odd year career, Run DMC has remained one of my favorites. So, with that said, it pains me to say this; This album flat out sucks! Expectations were high; probably too high considering the albums released date was pushed back numerous times over the last year. But I'll be damned if this isn't one of the worst rap records I've ever heard.

The first problem lay in the production of the album. Some top notch people were brought in on this one (Jermaine Dupri, Dante Ross, etc) and they still couldn't bring life out. The beats are very "new school", very 2001-ish. The sad thing is, Run DMC just didn't (or couldn't) freshen up their styles enough to sound good on these beats. Their flows and deliveries are stuck in the 80's, while the production is current. This is sad considering how damn revolutionary Run DMC has been for hip hop.

The second (and biggest problem) is the over abundance of guests on the album. Only ONE song doesn't have a guest, geez, talk about friggin overkill! Of course, some of the choices are a little suspect too. Fred Durst!?!? Kid Rock!?!? Stephen Friggin Jenkins!?!? What the hell!?!? I will admit though, the one highlight (and that's a stretch) is the addition of Nas, Prodigy (the rapper from Mobb Deep, NOT the Techno group) and Method Man. These guys are three of the most charismatic MC's in hip hop today, but not even their presence can save this album.

So, in closing, mark my words; at the end of the year, this clunker will be competing for a high place in everyone's "Years Worst Albums" lists. Count on it!
 

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