Search - Celly Cel :: Killa Kali

Celly cell

rogereb | Colorado, US | 04/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great c.d! I would recommend it to anyone who likes real west coast rap. The original "It's going down" is a classic too."

West Coast bump material

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 03/19/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Celly Cel is a Bay Area vet who despite an impressive discography never quite received the acclaim of his buddies E-40 and Spice 1. His 1995 sophomore effort "Killa Kali" is an excellent album of top-notch Bay Area hip hop. Celly's not a lyrical visionary, but he's an appealing rapper because he has style, a good flow and delivery, and a commanding presence on the mic. He raps about what he knows, and most of the time that consists of life in the Bay, hustling, and violence. He delivers good hooks and overall makes a nice performance. What sets "Killa Kali" apart from the sea of Bay Area albums from the mid-90s is the production. The music carries a distinctly Bay Area sound, with the choppy and bass-heavy beats and whiny instrumentals, but it is more melodic, smoother, and catchier than most of Celly's brethren's. The beats are funky and have a clean polish.



"Killa Kali" is one of those albums that is so consistent, not much stands out. But that's definitely a good thing; you'll be hard-pressed to find any flaws in this well-executed LP. Celly is a likable rapper and the beats are awesome, among the best from the left coast in the fine year of '95. Guest appearances are strong, and unlike some of the weirder stuff that came from the Bay during this period, it has a wide appeal and rap fans of all types will enjoy the funky tracks.



After the intro, Celly spits some menacing lyrics on the nice "What U N...z Thought," and trades off verses with E-40 on the Bay Area thumper "4 tha Scrilla." The single "It's Goin' Down" is just an awesome track, boasting a perfect laidback g-funk beat with woozy electronic elements and a great performance from Celly, profiling a day in the life. "Can't Tell Me S..." has some hard-hitting production, and "Tha Bullet" is a surprising concept track, with verses coming from the perspective of a gunshot bullet. My favorite song is the Spice 1 collaboration "Red Rum," because the two MCs display such great chemistry. The production shines on "Skanlezz Azz B...z" and "Remember Where You Came From," and the latter is a catchy track that supplies one of Celly's better performances. The title track is a potent West Coast anthem on all fronts, while "Playerizm" is slow-rolling. The closer "Funk Season" is a highlight, with Celly showing a tight flow over a nice beat.



"Killa Kali" isn't revolutionary by any means, but Celly puts together a great album with tight beats and good performance. This is one of the very best LPs to emerge from the Bay Area explosion in the mid-90s, standing tall with the best albums from E-40, Spice 1, and the Young Black Brotha roster. '95 saw so many classic LPs that ones like this often get overlooked, but the tracks on "Killa Kali" have the spirit that made '95 such a great year for hip hop. I highly recommend this album to West Coast fans."