[Sidebar] The Worcester Phoenix
Sept. 1 - 8, 2000

[Music Reviews]

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** Def Squad

DEF SQUAD PRESENTS ERICK ONASIS

(DreamWorks)

Mush-mouthed rapper Erick Sermon returns here along with a whole bunch of new talents and a few legendary guest stars. Slick Rick steals the show early on "Why Not," but "Hostility" shines the spotlight on Onasis, and the recently AWOL Keith Murray and Redman deliver cranium-sizzling verses. Redman stands out as one of few MCs taking each successive verse to the proverbial next level (for further evidence, check out "Buck 50," the year's hottest track from Ghostface Killah's latest).

The better moments include the Cali-inspired "Focus" with DJ Quik and the overlooked Xzibit, now Dr. Dre's best-kept secret. On "Ain't Shhh To Discuss," Onasis goes hardcore for a second ("Slap your bitch up," etc.), then follows with an eerie (and seemingly eternal) minute-long speech about Jesus. Weak. "Vangundy" features someone named Big Kim, who sounds like Roxanne Shanté. The now classic "Fat Gold Chain" with Too Short (another West Coast legend) is the perfect way to close out Def Squad Presents, the mellow bass providing the perfect op for the green-eyed bandit and Shorty the Pimp to kick back alongside a neutral yet buttery beat.

-- Chris Conti
[Music Footer]

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