Search - Guerilla Maab :: Rise

Probably the best album you've never heard of...

Philip Y. | Israel | 03/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"During the 90's when you thought about the Houston rap scene, the first and probably only thing you would think of would be Rap A Lot with it's superstar roster. However, it's far from the truth. During the late 90's a group of young Houston-based rappers started making noise - I am talking about the Screwed Up Click, started by the late DJ Screw. Some of it's original members include H.A.W.K, Lil' Keke, Fat Pat, Big Moe, 3-2, ESG and a few others. However the ones who stood out were Z-Ro and Trae. In 1999 the two of them, joined by Dougie D formed a new group named Guerilla Maab, and from there it was all history in the making... 5 years later Trae and Z-Ro were both signed to Rap A Lot Records, and started gaining some attention (and much respect) nationwide. However, this review is all about "Rise", the group's debut album. First of all, I gotta say, it's nothing short of a classic, plain and simple. And I do believe it's the best album most rap fans have never even heard of. Guerilla Maab (joined by some guest from their clique) create a true masterpiece on this record. It's just so different than anything that was heard untill then. First of all, they created a new sound, that was very different than anything heard on the South at the time. The music is very laid back, melodic, mellow with a RnB feel to it. The 3 members' performances are also unforgettable - Z-Ro, Trae and Dougie D rap as fast as Bone Thugs and Harmony on this record, and the hooks are mostly handled by Z-Ro who's singing ability is VERY impressive (next to Devin, Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone, he's one of the best singers among rappers). So many rappers try to sing on their records (I am talking about lame-a## 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and quite a few others), but noone has actually the talent and voice to do so. Well, Ro is an exception. His deep baritone voice is just a fun listening to while Z-Ro is singing, as much as when he's rapping. Z-Ro and Trae have both those deep baritone voices but on this record they were both young and their voice still do not sound exactly like on the albums they released on the last few years. Dougie D's performance was just as impressive, with his fast rapping and smooth (yet more "traditional") voice. Another thing that really stands out on this album is the lyrical content. And there's a lot of it. The members are not satisfied with the 16 bars verse, and usually their verses are longer. Because, you see, those guys have a lot on their minds and hearts and they want you to hear about it. This album is about their life, plain and simple. It's not about money and assets they didn't have at the time. It's not about crimes they never commit. It's about their life, things they go to, struglin', hustlin', survivin'. It's about life in poverty, about money hungry women, about jealous people. About Rising, working hard to achieve their goal - to get a better life. The group's lyricall skills are impressive and when combined with the unique delivery, awesome production (handled by Z-Ro and a producer named Rakesh) and catchy hooks, it's the creation of a true classic. Every song is either GREAT or VERY good. No fillers (except a couple of useless skits), or madiocre material on this album. It's one of those albums, thayt you just press "Play" and listen untill the CD is over. The guest artists (mostly a female rapper named Clich'e and a singer named Peaches), all from the group's extended Click all do a great job and fit the songs perfectly. I cannot say enough about "Rise". To me, it's perfect in every single sense, and we're lucky to have it re-released in 2006 (it was originally released in 1999 and became out-of-print in a couple of years or so). It definitely is one of the most important records to come out the South, because you get to see two of Houston's greatest rappers ever at the beginning of their career. They sound hungry, and they release some of the realest music there ever was. In many ways, the group's style reminds me of the great late 2Pac in terms of the emotion they put into their lyrics and the way their songs are so personal... If you want to hear some quality music, coming from Houston Texas, I have no doubt you will love this album. I guarantee that."