Search - Beenie Man :: Art & Life

Warning: Art and Life is Beenie Man's "fusion" album--an attempt to stretch the boundaries of reggae. Those who like their dancehall straight up may find themselves unimpressed. The Art Beenie has created sounds slightly artificial. It's extremely disconcerting to hear "de girls dem sugar" spouting off about "fake-a$$ n**@s," as he does on the "Hate Me Now"-esque "Haters and Fools." Thematically, the album is all over the place with an emphasis on mainstream hip-hop and R&B. Apparently Beenie called in his favors for this one. Art features a whole heap of high-profile guest stars, who don't really add anything spectacular to the mix. Two better-deserving Jamaican vocalists could've easily replaced R&B princesses Mya and Kelis. Wyclef's "eclectic" persona is abrasive and Redman's contribution to "Love Me Now" actually manages to come off as offensive. On the plus side, Beenie and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies' Steve Perry score with "Ola," a groovy little reversal of Sugar Ray and Supercat's "Fly." --Rebecca Levine