Search - Big Mike :: Somethin Serious

Some Of That Southern Thang (Rating: 7 out of 10- -3.5 stars

Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 11/17/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Being a replacement for a group isn't an easy thing to do, but as I can heard on the Geto Boys' Till Death Do Us Part, Big Mike has no problem handling that job. A year later, he dropped his debut solo album, "Somethin' Serious", at a time when some southern acts were making a name for themselves. In my opinion, the biggest standout on this LP, is the southern funky production. The production here is made by N.O. Joe, Pee Wee, John Bido, Mike Dean, Simon Cullins, Michael Banks, Pimp C of UGK, and Mike Barnett himself, so expect a lot of funky production here. Add those beats with Mike's wide range of rhymes from decent to great, and you have this album.



Some of the best tracks are on the beginning of the album. "Commin' From The Swamp" is an upbeat song with a nice sample in the hook that makes it dope. The next track, "World Of Mind" is great with it's slowed and funky production. Another one of the album's best track is "Ghetto Love" as Big Mike spits one long verse. "Smoke 'Em & Choke 'Em" is another standout. "Havin' Thangs" is carried by some funky production. "On Da Real" and "Playa Playa" has some head nodding production, but they don't standout like some of the other tracks do. "Southern Thang" is a good song with more funky production, but the track fails to standout as well, but the title track "Somethin' Serious" does standout. "Get Over That" is a great laid back song. "Fire" is a solid track (don't like the Ohio Players sample, it sound awkward), and features Rap-A-Lot label mate Tre-Deuce. Scarface comes in with the positive song "Daddy's Gone". And the album closes off with "On Da 1" which features Bun B, Billy Cook and A-Dog.



Overall "Something Serious" is a dope album. As I mentioned before, the biggest standout is the production. Big Mike has rhymes and they show on most of the album. At the same time, this album doesn't match to other southern albums that came out in '94 like Scarface's The Diary, and Outkast Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. But it's much better than some other albums that came later on like 5th Ward Boyz Rated G, and Tre-Deuce's Wicked Buddah Baby. If you're a fan of Rap-A-Lot or southern rap, this album is what I would recommend to you. Overall, this album is "Somethin' Serious". Peace!



Lyrics: B

Production: A-

Guest Appearances: B

Musical Vibes: B+



Top 5 Tracks:

1. Get Over That

2. Ghetto Love

3. World Of Mind

4. Daddy's Gone (featuring Scarface)

5. On Da 1 (featuring Bun B, A-Dog, and Billy Cook)



Honorable Mention:

1. Commin' From The Swamp

2. Southern Thang"

Serious as a Heart Attack! (5 stars)

Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 08/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Big Mike made a splash in 1991 with his group the Convicts, but didn't really start to make waves until he joined up with the Geto Boys for their 1993 effort "Till Death Do Us Part". On that album, Big Mike definitely pulls his weight on par with Scarface and Bushwick Bill on collaborative cuts, and especially on the superb solo track "No Nuts No Glory". Just one year later, Big Mike would reach even greater heights with the release of his solo debut "Somethin' Serious".



Big Mike has one of the most appealing flows I've ever heard. He's definitely on the hardcore tip, but also provides wrenching social commentary. Most notably, the man is extremely intelligent, and that shines through in his delivery and exemplary writing style. Big Mike produces five cuts on the album himself, with N.O. Joe coming in with six cuts, and the remaining tracks are split between Mike Dean, Simon Cullins, John Bido, Troy "Pee Wee" Clark, & Michael Banks. The soundscapes match Big Mike's delivery perfectly, and really brings the record around full circle. My favorites are "World of Mind", "Creepin -- Rollin", "Havin Thangs", "Playa Playa" & "Daddy's Gone" featuring Scarface. However, there isn't a wasted moment in sight. Prepare to witness one of Houston's finest. "Somethin' Serious" delivers on all levels."