On "N***a Please" it's overwhelmingly apparent that ODB has progressed as an artist, becoming further uncivilized. His sexist vulgarity rises to the surface more extreme than ever in several songs on the album such as "I Want P***y." His lifestyle now seems even more reckless while the way he could never assemble a structured rhyme has only gotten more free-form and sloppy.
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In an ambitious attempt to compensate for ODB's unintelligent rambling belligerence, Elektra spent plenty of money recruiting an impressive cast of producers to craft the album's music. The ensemble of hip-hop producers-including RZA-stay true to the tradition of Wu-Tang in their effort to submit fresh experimental beats nearly as idiosyncratic as ODB himself.
Without such a creative backing soundtrack, this album would be a painful listen.
Yet no matter how much money Elektra spent recording the album, the wonderful musical contributions are ruined by the atonal singing and sputtering of Ol' Dirty Bastard. He isn't a mystery any longer. "N***a Please" validates all previous assumptions that the only talent displayed by ODB is purely accidental. Only the most depraved and adolescent minds will be able to find any humor in lyrics such as "I have no problem with you fucking me/ but I have a problem with you not fucking me."
The artistic output of Ol' Dirty Bastard is an embarrassment to the Wu-Tang Clan legacy, the impressive efforts of the producers on "N***a Please" and to Elektra.
When there are so many talented rap artists struggling in the rap underground, it's saddening to see major labels invest their time and money in garbage like this.
09-28-99
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