What's up CelticsBlog. I just posted my third article over at Rhyme Junkie, this time I take a look at Big Pun's Capital Punishment, one of the all-time classic hip hop albums.
Here's the intro:
Throughout the history of hip hop music, a gargantuan number of entertainers have enhanced the genre with successful acts. Microphones have been blessed, stages have been rocked and crowds are continuously won over by emcees in every section of the world. However, it takes a certain breed and a unique kind of specimen to jump on a record and make people say they have the "total package." Some rappers have a big time voice with weak lyrical substance. Others can write rhymes with the best of them, call themselves a poet and know it when they say it, but weren't gifted the pipes to make it live. Hell, some of them have all of that but were never fortunate enough to work with an elite production team. Then there's that group that is good in every aspect, but hasn't knocked on the door of greatness in each category.
Nobody is perfect, don't get it twisted. Perfection is nothing but a fallacy, an unrealistic goal that cannot be achieved at any capacity by a single individual. Some artists, however, push that theory to its limits and leave their listeners wondering how they could possibly ask for more. You can't name a perfect artist, but there is a class of supreme emcees that at least brought all of the ingredients to the table. Names like 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Nas and Jay-Z will always come up in those discussions, and while they aren't the only ones, they represent a miniscule list of rappers that you can call complete.
If Big Pun isn't on your list, it is because your ears have never been presented with his material.
Not only was he the first Latin hip hop artist to go platinum and obtain commercial relevance, the Big Punisher was arguably just as talented as anyone to pick up a mic. The street-wise product of The Bronx, NY absolutely took the entire industry by storm when he hit the scene, on account of his unique approach to the craft.
Coated with over 400 lbs. of fury, Pun's vernacular was equipped with some of cleanest, most enamoring flow and delivery anyone has ever demonstrated on a microphone. His annunciation was flawless on each and every syllable that he spit, and his impressive breath control allowed him to carry on multi-syllable rhymes inside of other multi's like it was butter. He was no cupcake in terms of his demeanor, either. When Pun went in, he attacked verses with a level of animosity that complemented his technical precision so well that you were intimidated by your own CD.
Plain and simple, the Punisher was cold.
On the other hand, Pun wasn't rough and rugged on every record. He was also born with an electric sense of humor and charisma that lead him to mainstream success despite the gangsta image he aggressively portrayed. Once he put himself on full display, the ladies loved him just as much as the streets.
Big Pun's Capital Punishment is not only one of the most impressive debut albums to ever grace the world of hip hop, it is unanimously regarded as an all-time classic amongst both critics and peers. The record garnered instant colossal respect upon its 1998 release by Loud Records, and immediately placed Pun in a category above nearly every active hip hop artist.
Capital Punishment comprises 24 tracks that accumulate just under 72 minutes of pure fire. Pun comes at you with an original style that has never been duplicated to the same degree of excellence, especially when you consider the production behind it. Dr. Dre, RZA, Showbiz, Rockwilder and L.E.S. highlight an aristocratic team that put the new kid on the block on blast.
Check out the full article hereIf you're interested, also be sure to check out
my last piece about Lord Finesse, which he ended up
responding to himself on Twitter, or this one that touches on
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth.
Any comments/feedback is very much appreciated!
Topic: Record Recall: Big Pun - Capital Punishment (Read 2812 times)