Beanie Sigel - The B. Coming (March 2005)
Review by Loose Cannonz

Production: Heavy D (1); Aqua (2); Bink (3); Chad Hamilton (4); Neptunes (5); DJ Scratch (6); Boola (7, 11, 12); Ty Fyffe (8); Just Blaze (9); Ruggedness (10); Buckwild (13); D. Dot (14); Da Neckbones (15).

1. Feel It In the Air (featuring Melissa) - Amidst hearing the sweet sax above the mist of Heavy D's soothing backdrop and chill-out drum track slowly mooring into the whispering, emotional depictions of dreams that keep the one Beanie Sigel afloat, a rap classic only seems a step away. I mean, who couldn't feel it in the air? With spectacular sounds that break current rap boundaries of hype and commercial appeal, Beans speaks to those outside his bars about struggles of flight and plight-sweet poetry as it may-but more a "bad karma thing" to those lookin' up at our fellow emcees: "I hear this voice in the back of my mind, like Mac tighten up ya circle / before they hurt you / Read they body language, 85% communication nonverbal / 85% swear they know you / 10%, you know they stories / Well, that other 5 time to show you / Just know you, can pull they strings / You the puppet master / Fuck them other bastards, and watch who you puffin' after / Play ya cards go against all odds / Shoot for the moon, if you miss you still amongst those stars…" Along with Styles P's "I'm Black," this opener is one of the first truly great songs of 2005. - 5

2. I Can't Go On This Way (featuring Freeway & Young Chris) - Keeping the vibe on even keel, Beans joins fellow State Prop reps on the stress-fighting and heart-pumping "Can't Go On This Way," which pumps an addictive soul attack on the beats along some real talk. Beans contemplates defeating the purpose of everyday living by dreading in constant drama: "I was taught trust in Allah but still tie up ya Camel / Use your tongue as your sword and your books as your ammo / But when them bullets start flyin' and you got pussies around you / And who you rely on and let them niggas surround you? / Shit, it made me felt like young Kenner / From the start I was finished / How a nigga gonna start with a finish and begin with an ending?" Chris takes these words with more than grains by claiming that nothing will step in your way. You do you and someday consequences will be forgotten before realized. Good topics, great beat. More importantly, the track stays within the feel of album with infinite amounts of replay. - 5

3. One Shot Deal (featuring Redman) - Bink presents another track that sticks to the script, propelling moving jazz horns, fluctuating funk samples, and soulful percussion hits, all the while at a faster rate. This allows heads to take a breather from all the reflective lyricism and focus more on the skill department of flows and punchlines. Beanie absolutely destroys his verse, and who else but Redman was the one to take punches to another level? Despite his recent TV clown persona covering his actuality of fierce MC, Red should gain those doubters back with raw energy on this guest appearance: "Every bitch that know, Redman goes the distance / We here tryin to get fucked for instance / When you buss baby, gon light the incense / Pass me the rag, hop back in the Jag / I stole out the showroom with the price tag / I wrote this rhyme off 25 blunt drags / Hear that sound? Leave a block hunchback…" Mixtape banger fa sho…the rhymes allow the listener to go back and go "oh shit" over and over… - 4.5

4. Gotta Have It (featuring Peedi Crack and Twista) - Old joint that all you Roc heads are sure to have heard… Chad Hamilton laces a hard drum roll and trife satir samples that Beans, Peed, and Twista double time in order of speeds with Chicago's King Tung of course out-flowing the rest. The Puerto Rican Peed's multi-syllabic twists on his turn are impressive as well as the hook that'll hock heads back and forth. Most people are gonna go "burring bling fling jing" as many of the lyrics are hard to keep up with; but there's no doubting in the originality, intensity, and energy of this track. Keep it bumpin'. - 4

5. Don't Stop (featuring Snoop Dogg) - Impending jail time for the big Beans won't keep him from presenting great records, as Neptunes supply a much needed smoked-out joint from the lyrical briskness just witnessed. The layers of synths the Neps use gain the feel-good notes The B. Coming strays for. Snoop lays down the dope hook as well as his usual fun on the mic, while Beans tackles his haters with sharp precision: "You fuckin with the champ, Pop corks on Champ / Like I just took the chip / Nigga took the stand when he coulda took the 5th / Yeah, eat a dick with AIDS on the tip / Keep my name off ya lips-not guilty," and "Once again I'm sicker than 'em all / Niggas see Sig start shittin' in they draws / When I kick in the door, stop the bood clot cryin' wipe the piss off the floor / The ape is back, my gate just cracked, my jumpsuit and my cuffs is off / Ya I'm back on the bricks / Raise ya cups and raise ya glass and let's toast to the war, B Mac, ya I'm back in the mix." Say word. - 4.5

6. Purple Rain (featuring Bun B) - This beat might sound familiar as DJ Scratch's creation here was last used on Big L's "How Will I Make It." It's not as if the sample was used there first, as Keith Sweat's "In the Rain" has the pleasure of being the one Regardless, the joint is a dope cover, and there ain't no one else more fitting for more sippin and tokin fun than the Beanie Sigel of the south himself. UGK's legendary Bun B's nasal drawl goes hand-in-hand with Beans' ferocity. It's good to see this man get some deserved shine. Both emcees depict the addictions of the drink they claim "Purple Rain," and despite Prince being replaced by someone else, their partying experience should keep those in the whip smiling and hopefully not guzzling. - 4.5

7. Oh Daddy (featuring Young Chris) - Ladies don't get gassed! "Oh Daddy" is that joint for you. While it may not be able to shake ya rump, the track's admittance from Beans and Chris should speak on the dead-ins run in while motioning they everyday hustle: "I snatch ya heart so easily like violent times / Can't get caught up in that loop again, neva lettin' Cupid in / Who you buggin' ain't no time to be lovin' / Man, the grip on my pistol only thing I be huggin'…" The Natalie Cole vocal on the hook-all chipmunked out of course-should appeal to the ladies lookin' for a little bit of explanation. The diversity on the album is obvious. - 4

8. Change (featuring Rell & Melissa) - "You went to church and took a different route / You got cha truth from out the bishop mouth / I drunk the Juice that turned Bishop out / Those double deuces turned my system out." You guessed it, more heartfelt endorsements from the cry of the ghetto to the loved one who made the right choices. Beans is "kicking the door" per se, while his significant is kicking herself. The mesh of talented male and female vocals helps divvy the respective sides of the matter; while Ty Fyffe's enchanting strings sooths the listener behind Beans' hurtful truths. You know the man can change if he wants, but is it all true? Both the fellas and ladies should enjoy the "Change." - 4.5

9. Bread & Butter (featuring Grand Puba & Sadat X) - Another familiar beat, another instance where it doesn't matter. Sometimes jacking beats from dope underrated tracks in the mid-90s allows the listener to recognize and remember the hotness of those times. Just Blaze's live version of the "Real Live Shit (Remix)" isn't much of a jack anyway, as only the violin loops (tuned much differently) resemble K-Def's original. And after two slow tracks, a Just Blaze burner is a warm welcome. As for having Brand Nubian on board? If you call yourself a hip-hop fan you shouldn't have to ask. Gold diggers, slow down. - 4.5

10. Lord Have Mercy - If you're disappointed that Kanye West didn't produced anything on this LP you can pretend "Lord Have Mercy" was his dishing with production styles between Ruggedness and Kanye not being much different. That's to take nothing away from this song, as it in no way jacks the formula of the young great Grammy winner; it's just that some of these unknown producers are dishing out quality for Beans third album without a blink. Production, however, shouldn't matter while Beanie Sigel presents one of the finest lyrical outings of his career, speaking on the lessons learned while going through the truffle. Nice to get a track dedicated to the soldiers-rap soldiers of course-without the thoughts of cashing in. - 4

11. Flatine (featuring Peedi Crack) - I have to admit, this track has lost some luster since the release of the video for the remix featuring the whole Dame Dash Music Group. Despite that, the track's murky disposition and revealed warnings from Beanie are not to be taken for granted. Peedi adds some needed flavor to the visceral topics Beans speaks on: amounts of cases, his victim getting away easy, etc. Homes can touch hearts, but in more ways than one. - 4

12. Tales of a Hustler, Pt. 2 (featuring Oschino & Sparks) - As thematic as Flatine was, Tales of a Hustler is cinematic. The whispering, creeping cadence of Beans along swerving inside the sexy, 80s-flick late night sax play takes the listener into the actual grind. It's not hard to believe Beans with efforts like this. Oschino & Sparks need more practice on the mic, but if they gon drop an album on the Roc, mind as well start now. Really, this Boola cat impresses on the night sounds. I sort of wish this was all Beans…segregating his rhymes into three separate epic events from different points of view. In other words, a concept to the tales would've been perfect, other than the just the tales themselves. - 4

13. Look At Me Now - As DJ Clue would say "Whaaaaaaatttttt!!!" Yes, this is THAT shit. Instant classic from Beanie, as the remerging Buckwild delivers another great production to the mainstream hip-hop world. Follow Sigel as he narrates from his Philly hood growing pains to ROC stardom. The wordplay in the three verses are outstanding as are Rell's long background harmonies that follows them. You've got to give pounds of credit to the man who went from a simple "pop shots" rapper to the complete, pensively talented emcee he is today. Look at him now. - 5

14. It's On (featuring Jay-Z) - What's a Beanie Sigel album without Jay-Z? Not much of a Beanie Sigel album of course. Bad Boy's D. Dot laces the dynamic duo with the sparkling, nightlife goods while the staples of their respective Rocafella divisions keep hopes for more collaboration. And why not, as nearly every edition is as near-classic as this one. As big as these two greats get-Jay-Z is an obvious living legend-they will never forget where they come from and that's what's so attractive about "It's On." True story. - 4.5

15. Wanted (On the Run) (featuring Cam'Ron) - Shit, even the Jon Bon Jovi cover is dope. While not covered in the obviously cheesy fashion of say Britney's Bobby Brown cover "My Prerogative," "Wanted" loops the all-famous guitar riff to a respectful height while shimmering Bon Jovi's often-mocked chorus on the hook. The addition of the Diplomats' Cam makes sense since we all know what type of music the Harlem rapper listens to at home: 80s. If not, he's damn good at covering, and damn persistent about it too. As every great flick, this album has a beginning and an ending that come in full circle. Of course "On the Run" refers to just that, as "Feel It In the Air" was his entering to the Pen. - 4

Song Rating - 4.5
Rhymes - 4.5
Beats - 4 (closer to 4.25)
Originality/Replay - 4 (closer to 4.25)

Overall Rating - (out of 5)

So close, yet so far away: story of Beanie Sigel's year, folks. As the truth and the reason are now becoming yesteryear, this spectacular work of art just fails in capturing the classic rating by a track, or two. Club hits. These days, album sales are based on hype and club bangers that appeal to purchasers who always aren't hip-hop heads. In actuality, it seems that without these club crossover smashes, an album doesn't stand much of a chance on today's billboards. This is why Aftermath deserves all the credit in the world. But who's not to give Dame Dash as much credit for keeping it street? Beanie Sigel's last few years are presented in all detail possible, without any signs of being discreet, while flexing the verbal skills that have evolved since Beans was your average mixtape rapper. Why, The B. Coming consists of fifteen tracks, all enjoyable in their own way, tackling every trife and strife, hope and dream the Philly king has transmitted from behind bars. Without too many big name producers, even amid a Neptunes offering that seems in no way a token gesture, the music sooths to one soulful, jazzy, and atmospheric soundtrack to Beans' hard, poignant and meditative raps. Should hip-hop fans expect much more? Oh all hell naw. But will the industry? It'll see the bottom dollar. But if the industry's slow progress toward true hip-hop ever B. Comes that reality (see Common's flourishing mainstream acceptance), then Beanie Sigel should have no problem grinning and bearing when he comes home.

RATING SYSTEM
	Trash
	Maybe 1 Hit
	Step Ya Game Up
	Disappointing
	Diehards Only
	In The Deck
	Straight Crack
	Among Year's Best
	Classic Album