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The Source review of Styles' "Time is Money"
Styles P - Time is Money
4 Mics
The LOX have always been among hip-hop's most talented underdogs. At the close of the last century, they were too grimy for P Diddy's stable and too rough around the edges to be accepted in the mainstream with their gripping, drugs-and-violence-based tales of ruthless street realities. But more recently, the three-man tag team of Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch has shown they can walk the fine line between respect and commercial notoriety.
The recent success of Jadakiss' platinum second album,Kiss of Death, and Styles' gold premier album, A Gangster and a Gentleman, proved the LOX could separately hold their own. Now Styles P is ready to step in the spotlight, like Raekwon did with the Wu-Tang Clan a decade ago. Remember how, right after Method Man broke in as a solo artist, the slept-on and much lower-profile Raekwon brought the motherfuckin' ruckus with the stunning Only Built 4 Cuban Linx? Now, in 2005, on the heels of Jada's breakthrough, Styles P delivers his own masterwork with the almost impeccable Time is Money.
Sure, The Ghost's 2002 debut was a stellar performance containing plenty of heat (breakthrough single "Good Times" and the powerfully sobering title cut). And some of his best work came courtesy of guest spots (2002's "My Life" with Pharoahe Monch and 2004 's Akon's "Locked Up" for instance), where Styles has given listeners a glimpse into his more thoughtful side. But Time is Money shows Doc Holiday's creative and artistic growth as he moves beyond the crime capers and blood-soaked lyrics that to this point have defined much of his best-known work with the LOX.
Over an emotional backdrop, Styles delivers an uplifting anthem with the inspirational "I'm Black". Any part of this outstanding song could be quotable, as it contains the type of captivating, message-oriented lyrics that are as noteworthy as they are memorable. Styles then trades Barbs with an introspective Talib Kweli for the equally provocative 'Testify". Riding a horn-backed sample that A Tribe Called Quest originally freaked on "The Luck of Lucien", the two rappers take it there, at Styles questions the murder of Malcolm and Kweli laments the blind devotion some people have to america. Anyone looking for lyrical substance, need to look no further than these two standout tracks, cuts that place styles in the rare current crop of artists that make politically inclined music thats is enjoyable as it is meaningful. Then Styles shifts gears in both sound and sentiment with the smoother "Favorite Drug", where he presents his version of a love song comparing his lady to a drug.
On the prodiction front, Styles keeps the soundscapes from his A-List arsenal of beatsmiths strictly soulful, with the classic, mid-tempo grooves full of lush instrumentations and a bit of the player aesthetic typically associated with Blaxploitation soundtracks. The album plays well sonically, with back-to-back cuts that don't deserve fast-forwarding. By keeping his guests to a minimum and expanding his subject matter. Styles shines throughout Time is Money. It's apparent he takes his craft seriously as he continues to mature and deliver some heartfelt topics. Time to cash in.
4 Mics
The LOX have always been among hip-hop's most talented underdogs. At the close of the last century, they were too grimy for P Diddy's stable and too rough around the edges to be accepted in the mainstream with their gripping, drugs-and-violence-based tales of ruthless street realities. But more recently, the three-man tag team of Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch has shown they can walk the fine line between respect and commercial notoriety.
The recent success of Jadakiss' platinum second album,Kiss of Death, and Styles' gold premier album, A Gangster and a Gentleman, proved the LOX could separately hold their own. Now Styles P is ready to step in the spotlight, like Raekwon did with the Wu-Tang Clan a decade ago. Remember how, right after Method Man broke in as a solo artist, the slept-on and much lower-profile Raekwon brought the motherfuckin' ruckus with the stunning Only Built 4 Cuban Linx? Now, in 2005, on the heels of Jada's breakthrough, Styles P delivers his own masterwork with the almost impeccable Time is Money.
Sure, The Ghost's 2002 debut was a stellar performance containing plenty of heat (breakthrough single "Good Times" and the powerfully sobering title cut). And some of his best work came courtesy of guest spots (2002's "My Life" with Pharoahe Monch and 2004 's Akon's "Locked Up" for instance), where Styles has given listeners a glimpse into his more thoughtful side. But Time is Money shows Doc Holiday's creative and artistic growth as he moves beyond the crime capers and blood-soaked lyrics that to this point have defined much of his best-known work with the LOX.
Over an emotional backdrop, Styles delivers an uplifting anthem with the inspirational "I'm Black". Any part of this outstanding song could be quotable, as it contains the type of captivating, message-oriented lyrics that are as noteworthy as they are memorable. Styles then trades Barbs with an introspective Talib Kweli for the equally provocative 'Testify". Riding a horn-backed sample that A Tribe Called Quest originally freaked on "The Luck of Lucien", the two rappers take it there, at Styles questions the murder of Malcolm and Kweli laments the blind devotion some people have to america. Anyone looking for lyrical substance, need to look no further than these two standout tracks, cuts that place styles in the rare current crop of artists that make politically inclined music thats is enjoyable as it is meaningful. Then Styles shifts gears in both sound and sentiment with the smoother "Favorite Drug", where he presents his version of a love song comparing his lady to a drug.
On the prodiction front, Styles keeps the soundscapes from his A-List arsenal of beatsmiths strictly soulful, with the classic, mid-tempo grooves full of lush instrumentations and a bit of the player aesthetic typically associated with Blaxploitation soundtracks. The album plays well sonically, with back-to-back cuts that don't deserve fast-forwarding. By keeping his guests to a minimum and expanding his subject matter. Styles shines throughout Time is Money. It's apparent he takes his craft seriously as he continues to mature and deliver some heartfelt topics. Time to cash in.
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