Search - Guru :: Baldhead Slick and Da Click

3 1/2 stars

E.J. Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 05/03/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone in the underground know that Guru's nickname is Baldhead Slick. And that's the name that he goes by on this album because I don't think he can call himself Guru on a non-Virgin Records album. Baldhead Slick & Da Click is a compilation featuring him and his friends, and if there's anything good to say about the album, it's that there's good chemistry between them.Though Guru on this album doesn't really kick any verses that'll make fake MC's practice more, he does have his knack for finding rap veterans who still sound good. Treach appears on the thug-fest "N's Know", Ed O.G. joins the Boston reunion on "Rollin' Dolo" with Big Shug and Krumbsnatcha, and Ice-T, on "Underground Connections", comes off more as a street griot dropping wisdom than a has-been as he tells wack rappers, "It ain't the funds you got but how long you got it."If you feel like fast-forwarding a few times during this album, I don't blame you. Not to be funny, but you can tell that this album was made on an independent record label. Most of the beats are by unknown producers, and they don't have the crisp sounds of the production found on major label records, except for Alchemist's "In Here", DJ Premier's "Back 2 Back", and Pete Rock's "Pimp Ish". The guest rappers don't always make the mark either. The otherwise dope "Pimp Ish" feature Guru and some rappers spitting some dated playa-isms. It's ironic that Guru raps with some studio gangstas on this album, the same rappers he battles against when he's in Gang Starr.So in short, this album fails to pack a punch like a Gang Starr or a Jazzamatazz album, but it still kicks. However, if Guru plans to do a sophomore album under this heading, then he needs to get better producers and a better click with better rhymes."

Where's the Guru that I respect?

Reality Checker | UK | 11/17/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Guru - you've really fallen off with this one. In the midst of all the depressing thug garbage what the hip-hop world needs now is a return to intelligent lyrics. Who can we look to for this? Maybe one half of the team that delivered the greatest hip-hop album of all time - "Moment of Truth". But no - what do we get - a lot of half-baked thuggisms and uninspired beats. Guru - you're diluting your output and it's not doing your rep any good. This album is naff, naff, naff. Guru - love you man and I know you're capable of much more than this. Get back with Premier and give us something of substance again."

Leadin the underground

Reality Checker | 09/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yet another hot underground LP from Mr. Guru. With producers like Premo (of course), Alchemist, Pete Rock, J-Love, and a handful of others, you know the beats are on point. The lyrics are definitly there with the king of monotone plus appearances by Boston collegue-Ed O.G., Ice T, Treach, Big Shug, and many others. Although it doesnt sound like classic Guru from the Gangstarr days, it still keeps your head boppin. Basically its just another niiceee guru album that makes you just wanna chill and take the vibe in...."