An album that only a devout New York rap-radio fan could enjoy, DJ Clue's The Professional is filled with tracks by chart-topping hip-hop acts who've already been overexposed. It's not even a true DJ album: Clue doesn't mi... more »x the songs (which is probably a blessing), and there's a minimum of turntable tricks--just beats, rhymes, and redundancy. Artists like DMX, Big Pun, Noreaga, Nas, and Jay-Z practically have side careers as cameo artists, and while they--along with the rest of the usual suspects--appear here as "featured" guests, fans of their work are better off seeking out albums under their own names. While some tracks are better ("Gangsta Shit") than others ("It's On"), there are simply too many songs that fall into a New York rap aesthetic already taken to the brink of exhaustion. If that's your cup of tea, sip away. Otherwise, reach for something else. --Oliver Wang« less
An album that only a devout New York rap-radio fan could enjoy, DJ Clue's The Professional is filled with tracks by chart-topping hip-hop acts who've already been overexposed. It's not even a true DJ album: Clue doesn't mix the songs (which is probably a blessing), and there's a minimum of turntable tricks--just beats, rhymes, and redundancy. Artists like DMX, Big Pun, Noreaga, Nas, and Jay-Z practically have side careers as cameo artists, and while they--along with the rest of the usual suspects--appear here as "featured" guests, fans of their work are better off seeking out albums under their own names. While some tracks are better ("Gangsta Shit") than others ("It's On"), there are simply too many songs that fall into a New York rap aesthetic already taken to the brink of exhaustion. If that's your cup of tea, sip away. Otherwise, reach for something else. --Oliver Wang
"DJ CLUE IS ON FIRE. HE BRINGS TIGHT BEATS FEATURING MOST OF TODAY'S HIP HOP STARS!"
Professional
SID | BOSTON | 09/12/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Long regarded as one of the illest mixtape DJs out there, Clummanti (a.k.a. DJ Clue) has been known for introducing several big-name artists a year or so before their albums debut.His mixtape line This Is It Vols. 1 & 2 has been selling out in mom-and-pop stores all over the nation and around the world.Now the great mixtape DJ has come out with a compilation on a major label. Unlike many DJs who make albums on major labels, The Professional includes all-new cuts rather than a mixture of some new songs with old favorites.With some of the hottest artists in the New York hip-hop scene putting in work for him, Clue has come up with several standouts: DMX's "It's On;" EPMD's "It's My Thang 99" with Redman and Keith Murray; and Cam'Ron, Noreaga, Big Pun and Canibus's "Fantastic 4." There's almost 20 new New York hip-hop cuts on The Professional, so if you can deal with Clue screaming on nearly each of them, you should pick this up."
He needs to learn to use the Turntable
SID | 09/18/1999
(2 out of 5 stars)
"OK I bought this album because it was suppose to showcase a DJ. Unfortunately we get weak mixing and terrible shoutouts. Dont get me wrong, I felt DMX and everyone else, but a "DJ" needs to mix, scratch, and carry the beats. If you want some real skills displayed on the turntable turn to Qbert, Rob Swift, Eddie Def, or Signify. Bring those discs to the forefront."
Get the Clue
MgiB | Slc, UT | 10/01/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"dj clue amazed me with this album. i didnt know what to think about djs and their mixtapes. this was my first mistape and i relly enjoyed it. the line up was somewhat of an allstar cast from the late 90's. Highly recommended.
rating A"
New York Rap At Its Very Finest!
Anton Leyzer | Detroit, Michigan | 08/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is blazin! Clue holds it down on almost every track. i cant even give you a top 5, so many songs are straight def. Heres a rundown.
2. Ruff Ryder Anthem(Remix) - Same Beat as the original, but a lot of new faces. They all hold there own. - 5/5
3. Its On - Another DMX blazer. loses a point for average production - 4/5
4. Fantastic Four - The best lyrical showing on the whole album, canibus tears this track to shreads. Everyone else does good too, but again the beat is to average. - 4/5
5. QueensFinest - One of my favorites for sure. Reppin his city and doing it in style. - 5/5
6. Exclusive New Sh*t - Another one of my favorites. I wish Nature got some exposer, he can rip the mic, and shows it here and even on the GTA 3 soundtrack. - 5/5
7. Gangsta Sh*t - Jay-Z and Ja Rule? Who thought of this? Clue is a genius! best calabo ever! Average beat again though. - 4/5
8. Thugged Out Sh*t - I love memphis. And he holds his own as usual. - 5/5
9. Its My Thing '99 - Old school joint with and old school crew. not my flavor - 2/5
11. Whatever You Want - Flipmode Squad rips this track! man, they got a hot crew. they all spit well, and i love this beat. - 5/5
12. Thats The Way - I dont really like mase. And this beat is too happy go lucky. - 2/5
13. I Like Control - I dont like missy too much either. And this beat straight up is bad. - 1/5
14. B*tch Be a H* - This is a pretty good song. JD rips it for all a man from the south can. R.O.C knows what hes doing, he needs some more exposer, hes a good MC. the beat is probebly the lowest point of this song. - 3/5
15. If They Want It - Also Appears on Fabolous's first album, Ghetto Fabolous. Fab does a pretty good job on this track, and the beat is pretty nice too, but definatly cant touch the good tracks on this CD. - 4/5
17. The Professional - Mobb Deep holds it down like always! they kilt it. the beat is probebly the most original production on this whole album. - 5/5
18. Brown Paper Bag Thoughts - Reakwon spits pretty hard, like all Wu members know how to do, but the beat is wack. the score is stricly for the lyrics - 3/5
19. Cops And Robbers - Lord Tariq and Muggs are very lyriclly talented. There are some nice punchlines in this song, and the beat is done very well as well. - 4/5
20. Made Men - Made Men spit pretty well, the beat is on the better side too. - 4/5
21. No Love - M.O.P puts on lyrical show as usual, but the beat is pretty bad. I can skip this track without a second thought.
22. Come On - Honestly, never even heard of Boot Camp Clik, but they seem like they work good together, the beat is the high part of this song. - 4/5
This is a very good album for the East Coast lovers. Down south look elsewhere, but west might find this album pretty good too. Many stars that know what they are doing. And the production is top notch too. Dont take my word, get the freakin album!"