This is the 15th full-length studio LP from Hayward, California emcee Spice 1. A pioneer in the Bay Area scene, his first 6 albums with Jive Records (notably the second effort 187 He wrote) played a large role in establishing itself in this regime and has remained independent since the turn of the current millennium. Except This is Thug World mixtape showcasing the talent signed to his own record label Thug World Music Group, there's no doubt that Spice's previous work Platinum OG it was his best since The last Dance almost 2 decades ago and I expected nothing less from the sequel. Especially with NO Joe producing the whole thing.
“Since the Day” featuring CL Smooth kicks off with a heavy opener that takes us through an average day on the streets knowing it was hard from the jump, while “Gangsta Shit” featuring Rick Ross, Q Bosilini and Snoop Dogg transitions into trap area talking about being the C's that are. After the “Sway Speaks Bay Area History” skit, “Projects” with K-Rino & Treach brings a fancier loop with hats telling stories from the PJs just before the legendary “Crumbs with Bums” with Conway the Machine talks . about rich cats being fake.
After the “Sway Speaks Impact” skit, “How Long” featuring Nawfside works on some instrumentals to ask how long they'll mourn each other leading into the 2nd single “Deuces in the Sky” featuring MC Eiht & Worldwide as the anthem for all the west coast heads to throw their 2 up. “Not Easy” featuring Devin the Dude, Lee Royal & Nawfside brings the funk back a little bit more every day, but after the “Sway Speaks Importance” skit, “Thriller” featuring Nawfside along with Q Bosilini and Tela speaks menacingly that they are straight up killers. .
“Come Out with Me” featuring the late Bushwick Bill and once again Q Bosilini samples Bobby Caldwell's “My Flame” to show a sensual side to all 3, while “Houston to the Bay” featuring Lil' Flip and Paul Wall is coming. with this trunk-slapping ode to both cities. After the “Sway Speaks Industry Influence” skit, “Real G's 2” featuring B-Legit as well as Domino & KXNG CROOKED is a follow-up to a track on OG Platinum This is better than the original in the lead up to “Henny Out the Bottle” which got the party started with C-Bo, the late Hussein Fatal and Nawfside. After the “Sway Speaks Spice 1 the Legend” skit, the final song “Yesterday” featuring Fiend, Mac, Mr. Serv-On & Q Bosilini closes quickly. Platinum OG 2reminiscing.
I was kind of hoping we'd get a new work from him with fewer features due to the fact that I can honestly be a bit skeptical about projects that are overloaded with one feature after another and regardless I'm still hoping for it sooner rather than later. Later, I have to give credit to Spice 1 & NO Joe for delivering a monumental collaboration with a constellation of some of hip hop's most elite MCs. I'd even say I happened to enjoy the sequel more than the original LP that made its comeback with the summer before the COVID-19 pandemic. Joe's production is a cut above the previous, so the Bay Area veteran and company tell the listener stories that are pulsating with the vibrancy of the streets.
Rating: 7/10
