In contemporary rap, incarceration pays. Get locked up, and your aura grows--you soon become a 'hood economist, legendary and independently wealthy. When word leaked out that Shyne was negotiating multimillion-dollar recor... more »d contracts from inside the big house, his fan base grew exponentially. It doesn't matter that his self-titled debut was only so-so. Rather than take the obvious bait and dis alleged snitch P Diddy across these 13 tracks, he instead goes after media darling 50 Cent. Phoning in his verses (literally) on "For the Record," he charges that 50 is a snitch and studio thug. Now that's gangsta. There are a few hidden gems here among the rehashed beats and songs. Kanye West continues to make everyone sound good; his brooding, string-laden soundscape on "More or Less" perfectly matches Shyne's gothic vocal tone and declarations: "hip-hop ain't responsible for violence in America/America's responsible for violence in America." Beat baron Just Blaze does his part on "Diamonds and Mac 10's," but most of the record is filled with muddy production. Nothing here matches the appeal of his debut's "Bad Boyz" collaboration with Barrington Levy, but this is still a timely, topical release. --Dalton Higgins« less
In contemporary rap, incarceration pays. Get locked up, and your aura grows--you soon become a 'hood economist, legendary and independently wealthy. When word leaked out that Shyne was negotiating multimillion-dollar record contracts from inside the big house, his fan base grew exponentially. It doesn't matter that his self-titled debut was only so-so. Rather than take the obvious bait and dis alleged snitch P Diddy across these 13 tracks, he instead goes after media darling 50 Cent. Phoning in his verses (literally) on "For the Record," he charges that 50 is a snitch and studio thug. Now that's gangsta. There are a few hidden gems here among the rehashed beats and songs. Kanye West continues to make everyone sound good; his brooding, string-laden soundscape on "More or Less" perfectly matches Shyne's gothic vocal tone and declarations: "hip-hop ain't responsible for violence in America/America's responsible for violence in America." Beat baron Just Blaze does his part on "Diamonds and Mac 10's," but most of the record is filled with muddy production. Nothing here matches the appeal of his debut's "Bad Boyz" collaboration with Barrington Levy, but this is still a timely, topical release. --Dalton Higgins
CD Reviews
Shyne's got talent, but the album could be better
Bandit | Toronto, ON CAN | 10/21/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Shyne should have never signed with Bad Boy. It's messed up what Puff and the courts did to him. He definitely has the skills to make it on his own, and Gangland Records was a step in the right direction. I'm positive that when he's released from prison he'll drop some hot sh*t. As for this album, you get the feeling it was thrown together in a hurry with makeshift songs. I wonder why that is? Anywayz, This album has some serious tracks, but the rest of the quality is somewhat poor. Although it's still good to hear Shyne's gritty N.Y. voice, there are plenty of tracks which could have been executed better. Best Tracks: The Gang, More or Less, Quasi O.G., and you gotta hear him tear up 50 on For the Record."
Underrated , definently a classic
EVDIZZLE | PROVIDENCE R.I | 08/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You need to have this album in your collection. The most gangsta dude out there doing it form jail. Shyne !
1. Intro
2. Quais O.G- 5/5 great song discusses politics wit Marley in the background.
3. More or less- 5/5 Dark song , Kanye produced it
4. Behind the Walls - 3/5 Kurupt ruins it
5. Shyne- 5/5 Hot lyrics nd beats , Mashonda nice on the hook
6. For the Record. - Classic 5/5 most ruthless diss song ever
7. Martyr- 4/5 Great song only got 4 because chorus is too repetitive
8. Jimmy choo - Single too get people to buy the album still pretty good song wit ashanti
9. Godfather- More gangsta 5/5
10.The gang - 4/5 Foxxy in it mad good song
11. Edge-5/5 great song great hook beat lyrics , definently a great song
12. Here with me - 5/5 love the beat and lyrics
13. Diamonds and mac 10's -20/20 Best song Just Blaze did the beat and Shyne shows his soft side on how he the only gangsta left and he is really dyin inside.
Bottom line SHYNE= Something different real gangsta Dark and sometimes scary but this is what rap should be dudes with actual meaning to their rymes ."
Don't Forget About This Album
Dorrie Wheeler | 09/03/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Shyne's Godfather Buried Alive was released in late 2003 and it seems the disc has become a forgotten.
Well the disc is mad hot. The production is crazy. The album includes production by Kanye West, Irv Gotti, Swizz Beats, Just Blaze, Moses Leviy among others. The song "More or Less" is hot an "Quasi o.g." has a reggae hip hop thing going on. "Behind The Walls" (east coast gangsta mix) features Korupt and Nate Dogg along with Shyne. You have to wonder if the lyrics are new because Shyne refers to himself as Po on most cuts. Po is a nickname he adopted for himself. The track "Shyne" is just a banger, something for the boys in the streets to pump when they are riding out this summer. The ladies will like this cut also.
On the track "Martyr" Shyne questions whether life is better than death. Ashanti is featured on the track "Jimmy Choo." Foxy Brown also appears on a few cuts. "Godfather" is another cut that is for the streets and the radio.
The album art work is nice. Inside of the disc are not one but two pictures of Shyne and the late Lisa Left Eye Lopes along with older pics of Shyne.
13 cuts deep Godfather Buried Alive is the Shyne album that his fans have been waiting for and fans new and old won't be let down. It was worth the wait.
"
This album is dope...
Ac | Killafornia | 09/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some people just analyze things too much. Take this album for what it is, its dope music. Fools say they listen to the mix tapes and stuff, but when the album comes out, they don't like it because of the beats? c'mon, what kind of beats are on mix tapes again? Does anyone actually do original production on their mix tape stuff? Hellno. Be realistic. Don't deny it, I mean, c'mon, the man is in jail for god's sake. For him to be able to pull this off from jail tells me this man is going to blow up when he gets out. His lyrical content is tight. I think the beats are excellent for his style and voice, contrary to what some think. "Quasi o.g." is a classic. I mean, he lays it down politically but in a gangsta way (to an average "rap" fan, it just sounds "gangsta" because he talks about guns etc but dont actually hear what he is trying to convey) . That is much better than having an artist saying "Yeah!" or "OOhkay" or "Geee UUUNit !" throughout a record. I was never a fan of Shyne when he was on Bad Boy, but after hearing this record, I might pick up his first one. I just hope someone doesn't hate on him and kill him when he gets out."
Impressive
caleb | Maryland (DC area) | 08/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album was impressive, especially considering the rapper's circumstances. I give much credit to shyne, for his perseverence in his adverse times. The album's tone and outlook is gloomy and depressing, but it coincides with his style. I knew I liked shyne after I first saw him in his "bad boys" video. He's intimidating and thuggish, but enticing with his unique voice and style. Hopefully shyne will be released early so that he can grace us with more of his music. I know that after he serves his time, he will do what he does best."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
