Search - Smiley the Ghetto Child :: Antidote

Smiley the Ghetto Child - Antidote

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 05/07/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Smiley the Ghetto Child's debut album "Antidote" (2006) was quietly release this past week. My introduction to Smiley came on Gang Starr's last album "The Ownerz" on a dope cut called "Werdz From The Ghetto Child". After doing some reading I learned Bronx's Smiley has appeared on other notable albums like Cormega's "The Realness", Ghostwritten for artists like the Black Sheep, and is cousin to Melachi The Nutcracker (One Half Of Group Home). Production on this album comes from Chaze, Showbiz, Nitro, Sebb, DJ Green Lantern, E-Blazie, Ted Birkley, Gallegos, Fanon XP, the Grouch and DJ Premier. Smiley starts this independent album off thanking fans repping underground Rap and thanking his fans for supporting the movement. The first track (and my current favorite) is "Limousine Dream", Smiley shines on this cut delivering memorable verses backed by some off the hook production (Chaze). Smiley then reps his hood on the grimy "Bronx Baby", while talking about his struggles on "No Love". WC makes the albums first guest appearance on "L.A.N.Y.", "Pig Latin" follows Smiley rhymes over a Green Lantern beat, which Immortal Technique used for a track called "Bin Laden". I prefer Immortals version. Another standout out for me is "Close to 30 G's", Smiley talks about the game and provides his own chorus backed by some nice production. More thugged out cuts like "Bodychalk" and "Monster" follow, I like the later, Smiley rhymes with hunger backed by some dope production feeling the Violins. Smiley drops some raw rhymes on "All On You", also feeling his chorus to this cut. "The Wake Up Call" is one of the albums singles, and has Smiley remembers being a young kid hustling on the streets. I was expecting some better production from Primo on this one. Smiley delivers another standout with the albums last full length track the strong "Rest In Peace", remembering his friends that died, and paying tribute to them. I think Smiley could work on being more lyrically consistent; there were tracks where a strong presence was lacking on this release. On the other hand tracks like "Limousine Dreams", "Close to 30 G's" and "Rest In Peace" are memorable. The "Antidote" is a solid album worth checking out. 3.5."