Da Beatminerz is a production duo from Brooklyn, New York consisting of brothers Mr. Walt & DJ Evil Dee. Widely recognized for their association with Boot Camp Clik during the 90s, they managed to make a full-length debut of their own Braces 4 Impak via Rawkus Records in late July 2001 followed by a sophomore effort in April 2005 Fully loaded with Statik. Almost 2 decades later, the Dewgardes reunite to sign with Soulspazm Records and release their 3rd LP after a string of singles built anticipation for a preview of an intriguing guest list.
After the introduction of “Live from Bushwick General Hospital”, the first song “Seckle” by KRS-One was the best single I've heard from Blastmaster in recent memory reminding the game that it doesn't fight fair for a dusty explosion of bap instrumental while Ruste Juxx's “Product” eerily reminds everyone that's what it's all about at the end of the day. Ras Kass' “Back in Style” exudes that awesome west coast energy instead of the watertight MC himself, making it clear that Da Beatminerz is back at it again, but then Mickey Factz's “Champion” returns to the east coast glimmering of hope to seize the moment for the clientele.
Apathy's “Martial Law” bluntly declares that your whole block is going to pop after launching missiles over a boom-bam piano beat just before Da Villins' “Fear None” adds kicks and snares over a gospel sample that advises learning early so you don't need to fear shit. Halley Hiatt & Al Skratch's “It's All 4 U” blends boom bap and R&B tackling themes of romance just before Marquee & Monifah's passionate “Can't Live Without It” before another skit “Live from Bushwick General Hospital” which present their musical inclination rapping AND singing.
Black Moon gather on 'Anti' going back to basics as it may have been a long time since their excellent comeback album Moonrise even though that was almost 5 years ago, while Bishop Lamont's “The Birds” jumps over more kicks and snares showing off crazier flows. “I adore [H.E.R.]” by Keith Murray takes hypnotic from there by calling women the most beautiful thing in God's creation while “Where You From?” by Loaf Muzik for a decent hardcore anthem about being dressed to kill.
Lil' Fame & Steele's “B-Ville Pioneers” joins 1/2 of MOP and Smif N Wessun to represent the hell out of Brownsville, while Camp Lo & Stahrr's “Cheeba” continues from there with a laid-back theme for smokers that is, until the 'It's All 4 U' remix trades Al Skratch's verse for a new one from AZ, surpassing the original. Ras Kass' “100 Proof” takes on a jazzy boom bap shit that personifies alcohol, and after a final “Live from Bushwick General Hospital” skit, De La Soul, Pharoahe Monch and Rasheed Chappell's “My Year” closes out the album with everyone talking about the roads 1 last time.
Turns out Walt & Evil Dee are working on the Stifled creativity for 15 years in the midst of doing other things like DJing around the world, they just got to this point, especially after the last album Black Moon. Now that we're finally here, the duo return with a better grasp of reality when it comes to certain things and make a welcoming comeback. Both stick to their signature sound as Boom Bap Ambassadors who rely more on samples than Fully loaded with Statik & a mostly fixed guest list.
Rating: 8/10
