These days, there's a whole lotta talk about how someone needs to "resurrect the West"; but who's up to the task? The 213 (Snoop, Nate Dogg, and Warren G) album could've done it--if it had come out in, say, 1996. Ras Kass--a brilliant MC--is in jail and hasn't made a cohesive album yet. No, somehow, the top contender these days is the Game, the Compton-reared Blood signed to Aftermath/G-Unit (as part of 50 Cent's Hands-Across-America staffing policy). The brother has a hellafied buzz for not dropping an album yet, and I'm curious to see what homie comes with this fall; judging by his material so far, one can expect classic gangsta topics spit with a heavy East Coast influence. I'm sure he'll do well strictly off of the star power backing him and his streets-certified bio (crack dealer, shot five times) but somehow dude doesn't wow me as an MC; he sort of reminds me of a clunkier, less punch-liney Jadakiss. Look, you can call me a hater--but I know what I like and I refuse to just blindly accept industry hype as gospel.
That said, I guess I still wish Xzibit would just drop a brilliant album; he has lyrics, passion, and delivery in spades--and isn't afraid to show a human side. However, his seeming lack of focus, not to mention proper promotion, has already sabotaged him a couple times now. I'm quite interested in what his Strong Arm Steady click (consisting of him, Phil Da Agony, Krondon, and San Diego's Mitchy Slick) comes out with--if they do at all; anyone remember the Golden State Project?