Ode To The Ghetto

Performer: Guilty Simpson
Artist: Sean P.; Black Milk; MED; Super MC; Krizsteel; Konnie Ross
Distributor: Caroline Distribution

Notes: Detroit rapper Guilty Simpson built up quite a name through harsh, intricate rhymes laced with a perfect subtle humor (and association with the late J-Dilla didn't hurt either). His much awaited 2008 debut, ODE TO THE GHETTO, fails to disappoint. If his easy Rakim-esque flow seems to improve as the record spins, it's just the storyteller allowing the listener further into his world. He introduces unrepentant regret into the stick-up game on "Robbery," coming across as a complicated gangster to rival THE WIRE's Omar Little. When he spills his soul on "The Real Me," he proves a new voice rambling in old territory. He wisely avoids a glut of guest artists, letting his voice stand for itself, but when he does bring in a whole posse on the last track, it's to good effect. The album ends on a high note with "Almighty Dreadnaughtz," an unabashed five minutes of revelry, the classic MC party ode to his crew.

Spin (p.98) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "The overall sound is impressively bleak, typified by hard, stomping bass drums." Uncut (p.90) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Guilty Simpson has an artful way with a threat and enough crime stories for a season of THE WIRE..." Vibe (p.70) - "This debut is a fine, sweeping, gristle-and-grease booster shot ito Motown's arm." URB (Magazine) (p.108) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "With vocals resembling a laid-back Ice Cube and an ability to spit ghetto war stories with wit, his well rounded debut doesn't drown in debauchery, but revels in versatility."

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