"10 years in the game and 20 months after their last album they're back. I've been an ATL fan since 91 and I have 4 of their albums and one Big Hutch solo (not "Livin Like Hustlers" and "Uncle Sams Curse" -- since I can't find em at a reasonable price) but this is their worst album to date by far. Leaving 2 bigger labels - Ruthelss and Tommy Boy and going independent may make more money but the album quality went DOWN. Of the 11 songs on here, 3 are worth listening to (2 are almost classic material and one is tight), 4 are ok, and the other 4 are trash. Guests are on 3 songs and are decent. Production is another area that bothers me, Cold 187 only produced 3 song of the 11 unlike the other albums where he virtually does all the album. Big Mil also did 3 songs, Above the Law did 2. DJ Silk, Tha Chill and Nick each did 1. For die hard fans get this but otherwise download the 3 songs worth listening to it. Hopefully they'll have a new one coming out but it's been almost 6 years and 187um is in jail so I doubt it.
#2 - 9.5 (f/ Safecracka (who sounds much like Big Syke) -- tight beat)
#3 - 6.5
#5 - 6
#6 - 5 (f/ Young Ten)
#7 - 9.5 (tight beat)
#8 - 4.5
#9 - 7 (upbeat song)
#11 - 6
#12 - 6.5
#14 - 6.5
#15 - 8.5 (f/ Safecracka, Young Ten, Ha Ha Loc)
COLD 187um (Big Hutch) -- Gregory Hutchinson -- b. around 1968 -- Pomona, CA
KMG -- Kenneth M. Gulley -- Pomona, CA
Check all my reviews
"
Not as Good as "Legends" But who could top that album!
Ian Chucoski | Coal Township, Pennsylvania USA | 11/08/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Above the Law is back again, and now they have their own record label. This album is not as good as "Legends," BUT it is still way ahead of the competition. A.T.L. brings many different sounds this time around (which is fresh) without straying far from the legendary style that they have always delivered. Tracks like "Pawns," "The Real Thug In Your Life," and "Black Mob" are my favorite. Big Hutch should have done a little more of the production, he is so under-rated....I hope my favorite group gets a little more recognition , they have been slept on for too long. A.T.L. True FOREVER!"
A.T.L'S BIGGEST FAN T MONEY FROM THE DIRTYSOUTH
Ian Chucoski | 10/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once again ATL came thru with some of the funkiest music,and rawest rhymes I've heard to date.The most underrated rap group of all times never ceases to amaze me.Just when you think they could'nt possibly get any funkier,they come out with music and rhymes and game that just simply cannot be duplicated.I hope and pray that they come out soon.Now don't get me wrong I am a true hip hop fan I mean from eastcoast,dirtysouth,midwest,westcoast,but when it comes to TRUE FUNK and HARDCORE RHYMIN noone can touch these GHETTOSUPERSTARS.So please,please,come out soon,I can't stand the wait."
The most underrated group of all time
Pepijn | Holland | 05/03/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a fan of ATL since their Ruthless days. On Ruthless and Tommy Boy they got jerked but however all albums they made were D.O.P.E.and innovative! Now they set up their own label, Westworld Records and they released Cold 187um's solo LP "Executive decions" and their latest album is this "Rich thugs"album. As with every ATL's release I have to listen a few times to the album to hear the brilliance in production. This record is no exception. 187 and his staff of producers did it again, this is the bomb, tracks like "pawns","black mob", "smoke", "P.I.M.P." and ofcourse "ATL true" are a delight to my ears. As with all ATL releases this album is one of those albums that NEVER bores you, till this day I still bump every ATL album regularly.My only criticsm is that the album is too damn short. I also like to see Cold 187um reunited with his cousin Kokane in the near future. I hope Westworld records and ATL finally blow up and get their wel deserved props. ATL 4 life!"