The growing legions of thug lovers and 'hood mistress devotees who drove Ja Rule and Ashanti's solo offerings to the top of the Billboard charts may enjoy this album. Mr. Rule himself lends some much needed legitimacy ... more »to the project, warbling his way through standout cuts "Down 4 U," featuring Murder Inc. ladies Charlie Baltimore, Vita, and Ashanti, and "Ain't It Funny," with R&B hottie du jour J-Lo. Most of the tracks feature anything from two to seven mediocre rhyme talents (e.g., Black Child, Chink Santana, and Caddillac Tah) spitting game, making tracks like "Ride wit' Us" or "Tha Nexx Nigguz" sound crowded and muddled. Hearing the rest of the cast of virtually unknown emcee's holler "murder" ad nauseam is not overly enticing either. Thankfully, the slow, lean, radio-friendly production on "The Rain" and "No One Does It Better" makes this one bearable. This project needs at least one more credible emcee and/or vocalist to make it work, but with Nas allegedly looking to pull out a membership in Gotti's rhyme familia, the Inc.'s future looks bright. --Dalton Higgins« less
The growing legions of thug lovers and 'hood mistress devotees who drove Ja Rule and Ashanti's solo offerings to the top of the Billboard charts may enjoy this album. Mr. Rule himself lends some much needed legitimacy to the project, warbling his way through standout cuts "Down 4 U," featuring Murder Inc. ladies Charlie Baltimore, Vita, and Ashanti, and "Ain't It Funny," with R&B hottie du jour J-Lo. Most of the tracks feature anything from two to seven mediocre rhyme talents (e.g., Black Child, Chink Santana, and Caddillac Tah) spitting game, making tracks like "Ride wit' Us" or "Tha Nexx Nigguz" sound crowded and muddled. Hearing the rest of the cast of virtually unknown emcee's holler "murder" ad nauseam is not overly enticing either. Thankfully, the slow, lean, radio-friendly production on "The Rain" and "No One Does It Better" makes this one bearable. This project needs at least one more credible emcee and/or vocalist to make it work, but with Nas allegedly looking to pull out a membership in Gotti's rhyme familia, the Inc.'s future looks bright. --Dalton Higgins
Member CD Reviews
Steve L. (Keerayduh) from ARLINGTON, VA Reviewed on 1/22/2007...
Includes songs with Ja Rule, Ashanti, Chink Santana, J-Lo, Charli Baltimore, and more!
CD Reviews
Irv Gotti Presents The Heat
conkretethug13 | Los Angeles | 07/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Allright I'll admit that back when Irv Gotti presented the Murderers album came out no ne was really checking for it, But now things have changed a lil. Ja Rule has now put out 3 hot albums and a slew of hits, and Ashanti put out the RnB album of the year, plus the individuals of the label aka Charli Baltimore, Cadilac Tah, Black Child are drawing in fans as well. So the album is set up for success, and undoubtedly it will be succcessful. Irv Gotti Presents the Inc packages the album perfectly both on the gangsta rap and club rap level. First off let me say that when I first heard the album in my car, da speakers was blazin da heat, da album is engineered really well and the bass lines kick in real nice, perfect for cruising to for the summer. Plus the beats in general, are hard and bump nicely through your woofers and tweeters, so when you listen to it turn da volume way up, trust me.The songs themselves are hot too. "Down 4 U" is the song of the summer, cant nobody deny that, and if you seen the video Ashanti will make you unleash the dragon like Sisqo, and that will definitely make you "Happy". But aside from that the "Aint it Funny Remix" is already a proven hit. I been waiting to hear Charli Baltimore spit again ever since her "Cold as Ice " album got shelved a while back, but she definitely brings back some heat on "No One does it Better" and although her skin has about the same amount of melanin as Micheal Jackson, da girl is still damn fly, plus she got skills and Charli is a Down... chick, check for her to be the next superstar of The Inc. On the album Ashanti brings the heat on everything she touches. There some G'd Up songs like "Rie Wit Us", "Gangstafied" "Here We Come." For the west coast fans, Irv hooked up with Tha Row to put down a blazing track with the next west coast MC's its called "The Next N**guz, that song is hard, for real. Overall definitely a tight album, tighter than spandex on Roseanne. Peace Out."
World's most talented record label my a$$, this is GARBAGE
Reviewer | NEW YORK CITY, NY USA | 07/31/2002
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Wow, anyone out there who gave this CD more than 2 stars is crazy. The second group album from Irv Gotti's label is filler and radio friendly mindless pop-rap at its best. If you liked "Down 4 U", chances are that you'll like this CD, but if you're the kind of hip-hop fan like I am, you'd know that CD is pretty much garbage....All of that aside, I couldn't find more than 3 tracks on this CD that I would listen to more than 1 time. "The Rain" is probably the standout track here, but the other HORRIBLE tracks (including the UNFORGIVE-ABLE use of Craig Mack's "Flava In Ya Ear" on "Ain't It Funny") really overshadow the little upside this CD has to offer. The whole Murda thing gets real old real quick. So, if you like weak stale lyrics from weak MCs then his is the album for you, but for me personally I have just found the most hate-able record label out - Murder Inc.By the way, if Nas has any brains left, he would tell Irv to screw off and stop trying to sign him. It would be career suicide if Nas did sign with them. And things don't look too good for Ja Rule, as DMX is planning a diss track towards him called "Ruled Out". Hmmm, how could Ja possibly come back from ANYTHING DMX spits at him, its almost impossible. DMX has more talent in his left pinky than all the rappers on this CD."
Almost As Good As The Murderers Cd....
Enlightened | Atlanta Georgia | 07/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Murderers now deemed as the Inc. drops a well timed collaboration album. At the time Ja Rule is running the hip hop scene with his voice on numerous hit singles that are out now. Aint It Funny, Down A$$ Chick just to name a few and the lead single off the album Down For U which features Ashanti, Vita, and Charli Baltimore. Not to mention Ashanti tearing it up with "Happy" and her album doing well. There is no way to escape the INC.If you heard Down For U and liked that song then prepare to be surprised. This album is more of what the first Murderers cd was. Hard beats and very little radio ready songs. This is good because we have heard just about all we can hear from them in a short time. This is basically the INC going back to the streets where it should be. There aint no Ja Rule singing all over the place (save for the single, not that its that bad anyways) no pop singles, no pop radio friendly beats. Just hard hitting Venni Vetti Vecci/ Murderers production. Murder Inc. consists of Ja Rule, Vita, Ashanti, Charli Baltimore, Cadillac Tah, and a lot of other no names. The INC. should have just stuck with those five as the top people doing the songs. Instead they get the other rappers on the label like Ronnie Bumps, Chink Santana, DO, Merc, O-1 and Jody Mack to spit over the beats. None of them are special either and they all are basically wack. Not wack to the point of unlistenable but wack in the sense that they don't stand out on the songs and are sorta just there.
And to add to that the major players on the INC don't even rhyme that much. Ja Rule is only on 4 songs and two of them are Aint It Funny and Down For U.
Vita is only on TWO songs! What the eff is that about? She needs more mic time because she is the best female MC to come out in a while. She is the best in the game right now (Until Free's album drops at least) and her album has been coming out since the last Murderers cd...
Charli Baltimore is only on 3 songs as is Ashanti. Cadillac Tah gets ample time however. But don't get me wrong its not as if the other players are plain out horrible its just that the major talent would sound better over the tracks. I just think they should have utilized their talent better.The best songs occur when at least two of the starting five are together. Down For U, Aint It Funny, Gangstafied, No Ones Does It Better. We Still Don't Give A is the sequel to the hit off the first cd We don't Give A. The two rappers that made that song hype, Ja Rule & Vita, make no appearance here. Irv Gotti what are you thinking? The song is still tight it's just that it would be even better with them on it. My favorite song is The Pledge with Ashanti & Cadillac Tah. It samples Tupac's So Many Tears beat but guess what...it does it justice. It in NO WAY destroys a classic...as a matter of fact this is a classic all in itself. Ride Wit Us is a tight jam and so is The Rain with its `aint gon hurt nobody' vibe. Here We Come w/Vita is a tight song as well. And a collaboration with Tha Row members Eastwood & Crooked I is icing on the cake, but why not put Ja Rule on the track too?Overall a great cd, but not as great as it could have been. More playing time from the main players would have made this an instant classic because the beats are there...the other rhymers just aren't. This album is in no way a flop and I would recommend this cd for real. Have I steered you wrong before?"
Ain't It Funny.....That The Inc Quit Being Pop/Rappers!
JP | Ontario, Canada | 09/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This albun is very surprising because Murder Inc Finally went back to their Gangsta Rap roots. I am lucky that I gave this album a try because it is "off the wall like MJ in his early days!" Here are my ratings out of 10 for each song:1. Intro - 7.0/10, if the beat was better, it would have been a blazin' track!2. Gangstafied - 9.5/10, this is futuristic gangsta rap at its best! Great verse by Caddillac Tah.3. Down 4 U - 10/10, the song of the summer with an R&B flava! Ashanti sings so fresh and smooth in this song.4. No One Does It Better - 9.9/10, an Italian dance track beat and hot verses by Chuck make this one a blazer!5. It's Murda - 5.5/10, the worst and most borring song on the album! It's too long and depressing.6. The Pledge - 8.5/10, a great song and great vocals by Miss Douglas but the beat sounds a bit recycled (It's a sampled 2Pac beat).7. Ride Wit Us - 8.0/10, smooth beat but lyrics could have been better.8. O.G. - 9.0/10, a slow phat track with funky verses by Black Child. The song is too short though (2:49).9. The Rain - 10/10, the best beat and best song on the album!10. Here We Come - 9.5/10, Vita's raw and quick rymes makes up for Irv Gotti's poorly rapped verse (He's worst than Shaq!).11. We Still Dont Give A F**k - 8.7/10, awsome beat and verses from the Inc's rookies!12. 1 Hearse, 2 Suburbans - 8.9/10, reminiscent of "The Murderers" song on Ja Rule's classic debut album "Venni Vetti Vecci".13. Ain't It Funny - 10/10, y'all know this one, it's hot and it's one of the Inc's better remixes!14. The Next N****z - 10/10, Nate Dogg style track and a definate banger!15. DC Joe Skit - 2/10, a pointless and retarded skit! It should have been cut of the album.16. Hold On - 10/10, Chink Santana's solo! He sounds just like Nate Dogg on the chorus and hooks and like Nelly on the verses! Great way to end the album!Get this CD if you like Murder Inc and Gangsta rap! Don't listen to the other reviewers!"
They'll sample any and everyone!!!
D. Connally | Aurora, Colorado United States | 07/12/2002
(1 out of 5 stars)
"It's a shame...I can't tell you how bad I hate almost everyone on Murder Inc. I may not even be able to properly compose a review of this album because I am overwhelmed by the lack of innovation and talent on the is album! "The World's Most Talented Record Label!?!" HA!!! Yeah right...they need to get over themselves. They sampled Tupac's "So Many Tears" and Biggie's "The World Is Filled" but tried to cleverly conceal the samples by slowing them down a little bit. Murder Inc. is just Bad Boy Records 6 years later. And a bad imitation at that. Ja, pass the mic! Irv, give it up! Ashanti, just stop! Charlie, oh excuse me...Chuck, nevermind, that's too easy. I gave this record one star because I had to. It's horrible and all hype!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
Steve L. (Keerayduh) from ARLINGTON, VA