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FEATURES II
Paris comes back strong; Pharcyde debut is hype
The Black Panther of hip hop, Paris, is
ing to get due respect with Sleeping With
- the Enemy.
tinue your collection with this al
bum, but don’t say you wCTen’t
warned. If you’re white, you’ll love
this, because Ice Cube’s lyrics on
this album (This album only, hip
hoppers!) are aimed for you and are
about the equal of Marky Marie. If
you aren’taCube fan, and are think
ing about trying him, buy acasingle,
Death Certificate, or watch his
movies! C-
Paris
Sleeping with the Enemy
Scarface Records
Reviewed by TJ Stancil
Paris, the Black Panther of Hip
Hop, is back on his own label with
Sleeping with the Enemy. Censor
ship problems and record company
delays of this album led to his leav
ing Tommy Boy recwds, mostly
ovCT the album’s anti-govCTnment
and anti-police lyrics. Paris may be
>®own to BET and YO! MTV
RAPS viewers from his videos for
his previous releases “Break the
Grip of Shame” and “The Devil
made me do itHe also appeared in
Public Enemy’s “Anti-NiggCT Ma
chine” video. Paris is perhaps one
of the only r^JpCTS who is a true
follower of the Nation of Islam, as
his often militant lyrics would sug
gest
This album is highlighted by the
track “Bush Killa” which lets Paris
give his spill on problems in
America today as well as his sug
gestions for solving them. He de
scribes his assassination of Presi
dent Bush, which is sure to get him
in trouble with the FBI. The mset in
the covCT of this album shows Pans
hiding behind a tree in front of the
White House with a rifle as Presi
dent Bush walks by.
This album is full of knowledge,
as Paris and his brothers give their
philost^hy over some funky beats,
samples and live guitar. “Make way
for a Panther” introduces Paris and
his ideology lo those who do not
already know him, as he describes
the white man’s plot to destroy
blacks and urges brothers to unite
because the time of revolution is
near. Like other rappers, Paris uses
the LA riots as an example of his
predictions, and defends looters and
brothers who strike back against the
system. “Coffee, Donuts, and
Death” is a shot at the police of
America, and how they use their
power to oppress people of color.
“Think ‘ Bout it” gives us more revo
lutionary thoughts to a funky beat,
much like Public Enemy used to do.
“Guerrillas in the Mist” is coinci
dentally the same titie as the Lench
Mob’s album, but this track is actu
ally part two of “Break the Grip of
Shame.” “Guerrillas in the Mist”
refers to the four LA police accused
of beating Rodney King’s docu
mented description on police radion
of King and his car passengers after
the beating. “The Days of Old,”
“Conspiracy of Silence” and “Check
itOut Ch’AJl” are moreof the same,
but due to their informative nature
definitely deserve a listen.
Sleeping with the Enemy gets a
B-, which is good for a relatively
unknown rap star like Paris. That
may change after this album though,
because Paris has taken the space
vacated by Public Enemy’s Chuck
D as the revolutionary of hip hop.
Paris is legit, and he stands by what
he believes, so the chance of him
going Pop is doubtful. If you’re
looking for dance music, pass this
one by, because this album is all
message. Paris sounds like Rakim,
but his lyrics and music will take
him to the next level. B-
The Pharcyde
A Bizzare Ride II the Pharcyde
Delicious Vinyl
Reviewed by Scott Johnson
Remember back in the day when
a funky new group named De La
Soul came out with that wack r^
that had everyone praising the
D.A.I.S.Y (DA Inner Sound
Yall)age. Or when A Tribe Called
Quest followed up with their crazy
styles on songs like “I Left My
Wallet in El Segundo” and “Bonita
Applebum.” Well, welcome to the
modem day version of these groups,
the Pharcyde (pronounced Far Side).
While groups like De La Soul and A
Tribe Called Quest, have setUed
down on their second albums. The
Pharcyde brings back that original
funky style on their debut album A
Bizzare Ride II the Pharcyde.
The Pharcyde made their debut
in the rap world on the Brand New
Heavies latest album (which fea
tures Black Sheep, Gang Starr,
Large Professor, etc.) with a track
called “Soul Flower.” If you haven’t
heard this song, checkout the remix
which can be heard on the
Pharcyde’s album. Another track
which gets much props is “Officer,”
which begins with a bite off of PE’s
“Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos.”
Other notables are “Oh Shit,” “I’m
That of Nigga” and the funny “Ya
Mama.” “Ya Mama” is the funnies
track on the album, and has begun
to receive some radio play.
A Bizzare Ride II the Pharcyde
is full of fly songs and furuiy skits.
Unlike most rappers nowadays, the
Pharcyde don’t have the support of
a major label or other boyz in the
business; however, that makes this
album better because everything is
original. The samples are unique,
the styles are fly, aiKl the music is
definitely in there. The Pharcyde is
one of those groups that have to
grow on you because of their unique
styles, but before you know it you
will be hooked on one of the better
albums to come out at the end of
‘92. B+
I®'
Take the bizarre ride to the Pharcyde. This West Coast group has
brought a new sound to rap.