CORPORATE LINE: Terror Squad, the brainchild of veteran Latino Bronx rapper Fat Joe, began when Joe found his protégé and fallen superstar, Big Punisher in ’96. Together the two made platinum magic on Pun’s two classic albums, Capitol Punishment and Yeaah Baby!, and introduced the world to their BX-based crew, with their critically hailed, self-titled debut. Though Pun passed in 2000, as an unfortunate result of his obesity, Fat Joe has persevered against all odds both as a soloist, experiencing his greatest commercial success with his fourth album, ‘01’s Jealous Ones Still Envy, and as a leader, holding Terror Squad together in spite of haters and skeptics who predicted a collapse after Pun’s demise.
THE GREAT:
“Lean Back” – Fat Joe and Remy Martin spin round and round dropping rhymes that keep other crews in check.
THE AVERAGE:
“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me” – Fat Joe wants to let it be known that the Terror Squad is still a force to be reckoned with.
“Yeah Yeah Yeah” – Remy Martin offers up a tired chorus rapped around by Fat Joe.
“Pass Away” – Armageddon brings the heat and quite possibly the records best track—we might see a solo release if this is any indication of what he can bring.
“Take Me Home” and “Streets of NY” – These ballads struggle to find a place.
THE BAD:
“Yes Dem to Def” – Weak.
FRANKLY: Terror Squad brings sure—too bad they don’t bring their best. Aside from Fat Joe and Armageddon, Terror Squad has taken a step back. True Story would be better were it fiction.
+ CC Morris
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