Search - Styles :: Gangster & A Gentleman

Impressive debut by Styles P

MANSLORTA | Bronx, NY | 07/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Styles Paniro kept us waiting for his solo LP, "A Gangster And A Gentelman", and after I've heard this album, it's was worth the wait. This is a great album, with damn near flawless production by Swizz Beatz, Alchemist, P. Killer Tracks, DJ Clue and others. Most listeners and critics thought that Stlyes would only rhyme about guns and drugs, but if you can really honestly say that you listened to the album from front to back, then that would be obviously not true. Especially on the soulful "Black Magic" featuring Angie Stone, the Al Green sampled "Listen" where he talks about socialistic problems, (We 'bout to be on some clever sh.. / I gotta think if the presdent is prejudice). He also makes the song cry about his deceased sibling he lost in a car accident entitled "My Brother". Now that he showed you the gentleman, he will also show you the gangster, especially in the P. Killer produced "Y'all Know We In Here", the M.O.P. featured "Y'all Don't Wanna F***", and there two LOX songs on the album (We Thugs My Ni**as, and Lick Shots). But on "Nobody Believes Me", Styles should have got an award for the most creative song of the year. There is only one flaw on the album, the chessy Swizz track "And I Came To...", but that does not stop this album from getting the 5 stars it deserves. This album is not one-dimensional, so even the most underground critics would enjoy this album, if not then you're a pure hater."

Gangsters ride, gentlemen live your life......

J. Highsmith | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 07/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After blessin' us on 2 LOX CDs and 3 Ruff Ryders' Compilation CDs, David Styles finally gets a chance to shine on his own. The LOX are famous for their guest appearances on several CDs in the past few years. Everyone knew that Jadakiss would eventually have a solo release out, but the same people that were screamin' for a Jada CD were also calling for a Styles solo CD as well. "A Gangster And A Gentleman" gives Styles Paniro a chance for his fans to hear both sides of his rap personality. Most people have heard his gangsta side on several occasions, especially since the LOX left Bad Boy Records. On the first single "Good Times", Styles impresses me by showing me that he can carry a song on his own. 95% of people that have heard Styles, have only heard him on collaborations with his group. By using a sample of Freda Payne's "I Get High (On Your Memory)", Styles definitely has a thug national anthem for the Summer of 2002 that will atleast push "A Gangster And A Gentleman" to gold status. After listening to his CD, you can tell that Styles is trying to please both audiences. Everything isn't as grimey as you think. Songs like "Daddy Get That Cash" w/Lil Mo, "Y'all Know We In Here" w/Swizz Beatz and P.K. and "And I Came To" w/Eve & Sheek are clearly attempts to get Styles radio play and to show the ladies and the "sensitive thugs" that he can also display different rhyme styles. Styles is at his best when he keeps his grimey ways. "Lick Shots" is classic LOX. Jadakiss' verse is almost as good as any verse on his "Kiss The Game Goodbye" CD and Sheek and J-Hood represent something lovely. The best beat on the CD is clearly on my favorite song on this CD, "We Thugs (My N*****)" w/Jadakiss & Sheek. DJ Clue & Duro should have saved this hot beat for Fabolous, Paul Cain or Joe Buddens. When the LOX go back and forth line for line, there aren't many groups out that can top that. The production is on point for the whole CD with Swizz Beats, DJ Shok, The Alchemist, P Killer, Icepick and others contributing tracks. The only complaints that one could have about this CD is that 1) it sounds the same as any other LOX record, 2) some of Swizz' beats could use a little retooling. "...And I Came To" is just plain boring, even though Styles, Eve & Sheek have tight lyrics on the song and 3) there are too many skits on the CD. At 24 tracks and almost 80 minutes of material, everything would flow better without all of the skits in between songs. Other songs worth checkin' out are "Soul Clap", "Black Magic" w/Angie Stone, "I'm A Ruff Ryder" w/Jadakiss, "Y'all Don't Wanna F***" w/MOP, "Nobody Believes Me" w/Sheek & Cross and a heartfelt tribute to his murdered brother, "My Brother". As an added bonus track, you also get "The Life" w/Pharoahe Monch, that was included on the Soundbombing III Compilation CD. Overall, Styles shows that he has tremendous potential on his debut CD. Finally, he has been given a chance to shine outside of the LOX and believe me he shines very well. James' Top 51. We Thugs (My N*****) w/Jadakiss & Styles
2. Good Times
3. I'm A Ruff Ryder w/Jadakiss
4. Lick Shots w/Jadakiss, Sheek & J-Hood
5. Soul Clap"

A sleeping giant finding his voice.

P. T. J. | Detroit MI | 07/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Styles P., also known as "The Ghost" has long been lost in the shuffle and looked over amongst the arsenal of Ruff Ryders' potent record label. Styles, however, brings a new talent, sound, and ironically enough, a new style to the Ruff Ryders' family. The record label, once founded and headlined by DMX, has since crumbled with his retirement, falling from a glory that was never solidified to begin with. I mean, come on, there are only so many times you can listen to the word 'dawg' spit on one song, which was seemingly DMX's favorite word.
Styles, however, comes out carrying his mysterious, laid back "ghost"-like flow, holding a lyrical weapon in both hands and blazing. His multi-faceted view on life (see title) and his versatile flow makes for a record filled with different messages, beats and flows, not to mention lyrical potential. I say potential, however, because when you compare Styles' raw lyrical warfare to his twin-spirit in music Jadakiss, I'm afraid Jada steals the spot-light. Not to be outdone, however, Styles makes up for this with strong choruses and production, molded to his unique flow to uphold and accent his talent. Styles has a voice that calls to you through the wires and speakers of your music system. They carry a subdued passion in them, like a sleeping giant accustomed to a life of silence now experimenting with his voice. His fluent, passionate and thoughtful rhymes illuminate the life of a thug in a way you never really gave much thought to. I'm not saying that he doesn't glorify the violence, because in all honesty, he does, but even in his violence = glory rhymes, he comes off with a sombre ending and a sad sounding edge, closing his verse or song out with the reality of a thug life. It's not easy, it's not happy, and it's not the type of life you go out of your way to live. It's the type of life you're forced into. He teeters back and forth on this edge though, as though at times he's uncertain of what he's saying. He finds a delicate balance, earning himself street credit with lines like "I'm so ganster that just knowing myself makes me affiliated", without straying to often into the deep waters of straight out violence. Congratulations Styles. His voice has already found it's way onto the air waves and will soon permeate every listening ear out there."