Album Details

• Artist: Edo G
• Album: My Own Worst Enemy
• Label: Fatbeats
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: hstisgod on 2006-11-15

On my initial interview with Edo.G a few weeks ago, I was asked to get inside the head of the man, and figure out his focus and direction. Now that I know the nuts and bolts of how he ticks, it was time to sit down and listen to the actual ticking of the clock. Normally reviewing an artist directly after an interview is a daunting task at best, yesterday his latest release “My Own Worst Enemy” arrived and I sighed. So here we go…

As exemplified in the title of the intro track “Boston”, I knew from my interview with him, the Boston pride was a root that would not go unnoticed. Although the nearby metropolitan city to his hometown Roxbury is the title of the song, the focus is more about the return of this 20th century Rap mogul. “I’m a throwback from the nineties. Whose return is timely for hip hop consciousness.”, More like an example of the compatibility between acoustic folk and deep equalizer beats, this intro track becomes the invitation back into intellectual Hip Hop.

Track two is a sound bite tribute to the brass of Jazz. A repetitive trumpet call teams up with bottom line bass droppings to form an inviting line for anyone to Rap on. “Just Call My Name” is also the first of four tracks that will introduce to you Edo’s favorite new artist, Jaysaun. “ Jaysaun is an up and coming cat with The Kreators, that’s my partner right there. He’s got an album called ‘Bakers Man‘. It’s coming out in 05 off Str8 Up Entertainment.”

On track four “School ’Em”, the beat takes me even further back into the 80’s. Funky, and deliberate as the record skips, and its never more apparent that Pete Rock is the producer involved here than in this song. Five following four, ”Streets is Callin” is a loudly simplistic beat combination. Featuring Diamond D, and Jaysaun while catching its life with a cowbell, clap, and deeply rooted bass this song could certainly grab some attention. Instead of 18 out of 22 songs being crap, Edo, and Pete Rock have created a solid 8 out of 10 songs that firmly grip the soul and definition of Hip Hop.

An unforgettable example of intelligent content is track seven “Wishing”. Attacking everything from racial profiling to healthcare, Edo really puts forth the subconsciously deep lyrical effort that the Hip Hop game seems to have been missing in recent years. “I wish I didn’t get searched when I come through customs, I wish Christians stopped before Muslims. I wish the poor didn’t have to take welfare, I wish America had universal healthcare.” Over a sweet-fingered guitar rhythm, and a recording of Martin Luther King Jr’s historical “I Have A Dream" Speech, Edo pours his mind neatly into yours like an old school can of oil. “In a country where we don’t fight fair. The American dream becomes a nightmare.. its all hype here. And on this track, my soul I might bare.”

Beware of earlier warnings, don’t buy this CD looking for 18 songs of skits, chants, and mediocre crap. Edo has created a solid 10 songs of real content and delivery in both departments of beats, and brains. Producer Pete Rock has really outdone himself here, providing a very small fit hall like atmosphere for only Edo G to walk through and flip on the switch.

Go ahead; ignore the fleet of honesty, and open lyrical skill in songs like the closing track "Revolution”. “F*ck rappin, Cause the best things happen, to the people who make the best of what happens, without jaw flapping, scrapping, not enough soldiers and too many Captains”.

Go ahead deny the reality that Pete Rock’s beats here will fit on ANY Hip Hop radio station. Even deny songs like “Right now”; a squeaky juggle of records reminiscent of something Dr Dre might create.

Sure you can deny all these aspects, but can you really deny the rebirth of conscious Hip Hop when you hear statements like this? “The most nerve racking thing was the time it took to record the entire album it could have been done in 3 months, instead it took like two years to get to this point.”

Though notably remembered for his presence in the 90’s,this album should gain Edo G the respect he deserves in the 21st century. Mark my words; here comes the revisited days of Hip Hop, with Edo.G at the forefront, breaking away from the norm 'cause it's too cliche.

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