Urban Xchange

By Mike Kim

Two record labels, Relativity (Sony/Columbia) and Loud (Mobb Deep's parent label) have spent the past few months haggling over their unification, leaving Mobb Deep's fourth album, Murda Muzik, dangling in limbo. With a completed album sitting around on desks in the Loud office, it is no surprise that Murda Muzik was bootlegged.

Thousands of illegal copies of the album began circulating through underground circles at an alarming pace. So Mobb went back to the studio to bang out five new songs to add to the extraordinary material that comprised the original offering. It was safe to assume that with the added treats, it would be a pre-ordained classic. Right?

Unfortunately, the new tracks don't match the mood and energy of the earlier offering. The new material uses much happier sounding elements that don't coincide with the Murda motif that was ripping through the original album. After listening to these new tracks, it is obvious Mobb was simply trying to fill a void, as well as trying to reach outside their core audience, incorporating a sound that does not follow along with their previous albums like It's Mine w/ Nas. Don't distress, Mobb fans. Murda Muzik is still a certifiable banger. Havoc, who is often in the shadow of his partner Prodigy, lyrically delivers the grimy tales at a level that is nearly up to par with Prodigy. However, nobody on this album comes close to Prodigy, who mutilates every track he raps on. Aside from the classic "Poison," Havoc delivers quite innovative production on "Where Ya Heart At" and the certified tunnel-banger "Quiet Storm."

The best part of Murda Muzik is that every track has merit. Some may be disappointed that a few blazing tracks were left off the new album. Still, others may be disgusted with some of the new styles Havoc and Prodigy are experimenting with. Life isn't fair, but isn't it great to see underground artists like Mobb Deep beat the odds? The 200,000 copies Mobb Deep sold the first week out indicate that the album is on its way to platinum status and beyond. Shouts go out to Mobb for once again bringing the Queensbridge, NY reality to stereo systems across the globe.