never had the skills or technique of or , but what the Oakland rapper lacks in technique, he's always more than made up for with irresistible, '70s-inspired grooves that simply won't quit. When -- after enjoying a small cult following for a few years in Northern California -- joined a major label with 's predecessor, , too many East Coast MCs were inundating with cliched tracks consisting of only samples and a drum machine. , however, presented an attractive alternative with highly melodic, danceable tracks that made no secret of his love of '70s heroes like , , and . This CD's X-rated, sexually explicit lyrics received their share of vehement criticism, and the MC responded that is an outrageous character who shouldn't be taken too seriously. Be that as it may, his commanding reflection on the drug plague, underscores the fact that he's cheating himself artistically by not devoting more time to social commentary and less time to exploiting sex. ~ Alex Henderson