Search - Tragedy Khadafi, Intelligent Hoodlum :: Tragedy: Saga of a Hoodlum

"Tragedy the rebel is still here"

"Old Skool" Ran-Dee | "Da' Bronx" | 08/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Way back in 1986, I heard a song called "THE TRAGEDY" on the legendary Mr. Magic's "RAP-ATTACK" show on 107.5 WBLS in New York. On the song , you can hear the voice of a very young MC with a superior flow. Two years after that, I hear the song "The Rebel" on the "Marley-Marl in control, vol.1" compilation, and I was sure that this kid was one of the illest MC's coming outta' Queensbridge! By 1989, he claims to be "THE INTELLIGENT HOODLUM". Then in the early '90's "KHADAFI" was born! Since the days of "JUICE CREW ALL-STARS", Tragedy has held down the Fort as the top QU soldier in the field. Able to drop science, wisdom, knowledge and mathematics with a street gangster perspective and yet sound eloquent. Tragedy is one of the most talented MC's ever to bless the mic and this CD shows and proves! More of that good ol' NYC Boom-Bap! A must have!"

2nd solo from Trag is a good one

G$ | B-More, MD | 01/31/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"3 years since his debut, Tragedy Khadafi (The Intelligent Hoodlum) returns with another good album. Through the years he remained consistant and had some deep and intelligent, thought-provoking lyrics and had consistantly good albums (I have 6 of his albums, 2 I'd give 5 stars, 1 I'd give 4.5 and the other 3 I'd give 4 stars). This one has 13 songs, 2 near classics, 2 ok songs and the other 9 are good with some being real good. Production is nice and definitely 1993-sounding. K-Def does 7 songs, Marley Marl does 3, and Kool Tee, Epitome of Scratch and Mr. Freaknasti all do 1 song. Guests are not very heavy, on 3 of the 13 songs so you get to hear alot of what Tragedy has to say. Though the album starts a little, slow it picks up and never drops back down. Definitely andalbum I'd recommend from one of my favorite rappers.



#1 - 7.5

#3 - 8 (f/ Fishbone)

#4 - 7

#5 - 9.5 (deeper song over a great sample beat)

#6 - 8.5

#7 - 8.5

#9 - 8.5 (good beat)

#10 - 9.5 (f/ Havoc of Mobb Deep -- tight beat)

#11 - 8 (deeper song)

#12 - 8.5 (good beat)

#13 - 8 (Another deeper song)

#14 - 8.5 (nice beat -- f/ ??)

#15 - 9 (another deep dedication song)



Percy Chapman -- QueensBridge, NY -- b. 8/13/71

Check all my reviews"

The Saga continues

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 05/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Three years passed between Tragedy Khadafi's debut and the follow-up, 1993's "Tragedy: Saga of a Hoodlum." These three years brought change in the Queensbridge MC, and on his sophomore effort, he abandons much of his teenage spirit and straightforward sociopolitical agenda for a rugged underground approach. This album is rough and gritty when compared to its predecessor, and even his delivery is a little more Onyx and less LL Cool J. Tragedy peppers his verses with snarling boasts and gun-talk, but maintains a relevant stance on a few songs, resulting in a well-balanced tracklist. The album is produced by Marley Marl's protege K-Def, the ingenious beatsmith behind the slept-on classics Here Come the Lords by Lords of the Underground and Da Youngsta's' No Mercy. While many of the beats are looped breakbeats fitting of a Juice Crew record (although some would sound at home on a LOTUG album), there's sufficient evidence to suggest that K-Def was among the 90s' best and most underrated hip hop producers. Percy Chapman is a truly special rapper, and "Tragedy: Saga of a Hoodlum" is a well-rounded album that fans of Khadafi and the 90s East Coast sound will like.



The LP opens with the gritty funk and rough boasts of "Shalom a Leck," "Underground," and "Funk Mode." One of the best songs is "Grand Groove," an insightful look back at childhood, his neighborhood, and dead homies. With the piano-based production, the song's style is indicative of the QB hip hop sound that would soon develop. "At Large" and "Death Row" are both strong, the latter concerning prison life. "Mad Brothas Know His Name" uses a Guru vocal sample and has nice scratches too. A young Havoc guests on the highlight "Pass the Teck," and "Street Life" is thought-provoking. "Pump the Funk" provides good storytelling, and a relevant message makes "Role Model" a winner. The LP closes with two of the best songs: the furious "The Posse (Shoot 'Em Up)," which likens urban violence to cowboy movies, and the classic "Grand Groove (Bonus Mix)," the best song on the album.



With two great albums under his belt and a history with the Juice Crew, Intelligent Hoodlum seemed destined for greatness. However, with so much great hip hop in '93, this effort was somewhat overlooked, and he didn't return with another album until 2001's Against All Odds as Tragedy Khadafi, which marked a drastic change in style. Despite a broad range of sound, all of his LPs are great, and I highly recommend this one. Although it is long out of print, it was reissued in a package with his debut in 2007 (Intelligent Hoodlum/Tragedy: Saga of a Hoodlum). Check this out if you love East Coast hip hop."