ativity points
on mixtapes nowadays, most not even givin' a lick to strive for some difference.
DJ Kool Kid makes the typical Best Of's and the typical pause tapes. Still,
when it come to The Diesel series, not too many fuckin' with dude. Series 3.0:
The Re-Up is no different. The soundtrack to this release comes courtesy of
relatively unknowns with its themes hittin' harder than Stephen Jack. Kool Kid
sets the mood on the intro with some James Brown behind the Superfly insert;
all the while Big Dev (Konkrete Kaos) provides an entire holster of rocket grenade-launchin'
tracks. If the grooving, third Diesel theme with J-Hood and Stat Quo don't do
it-is Trey Songz the next R. Kelly? (Music-wise, fools)-Big Dev's funk twangs
for Jigga's Reasonable Doubt verse on the next cut bring back memories of the
best emcee to do it. The legend returns with rap idols Biggie and Scarface and
an underwater Twista verse (what happened here?) on the epically-laced "Next
of Kin," which is so good 'til the end, you'd think it was real. Since
DJ Rondevu's magnificent Four Horsemen III dropped, packing in too much B.I.G.
and 2Pac would be a wrong idea; thankfully, DJ Kool Kid keeps the dynamic duo
to a minimum on the classically-blended "Trouble In Da Struggle."
Big Dev even emulates Eminem's production style on the Marshal, Game, and Eazy
E collab enchanted by its orchestral sounds and drudging basslines. Tupac returns
to shoot syllable clips with Nas and Em over the mash-up, "Fallen,"
courtesy of Evanescence (yes, the Daredevil theme); while pals Lil Kim, 50 Cent
and Nas rip up looped licks from The Eagles' "Hotel California." Big
Dev places G'd out grind with Raekwon, Havoc and Nate Dogg, and dark hood corridors
with Ghostface and Obie Trice. That's how you make blends. Thoughtful match-ups.
Blends are also
about unpredictability, with that, the wide array of combinations and original
beats take these tracks next level; whereas other blend tapes fail by saucing
constant 50 Cent and D-Block instrumentals (instead, "Disco Inferno"
on 3.0 is repped over an actual disco soundscape, along with Snoop of course!).
Speaking of the D, their mixtape producer Liveson laces a banger with Young
Buck and Prodigy on the haunting "Bullets From A Gun." Then, Jadakiss
meets Aftermath master on "Coast 2 Coast Killas" using the familiar
chanting chorus and ex-rival Beanie Sigel and rejuvenated Foxy Brown (Her and
Eve on "Turns Me On" equals pure bliss) on the excellence of "Fuck
Around." Crown's crisp piano backdrop sets the scene for some Freeway and
Styles P verses as I'm wishing G. Rap's overused "Fast Life" verse
was another. Before ripping a Kool Kid-only exclusive with Swing, the Ghost
joins Luda and Banks over more incredibly funky production. Dipset's lone "No
I Can't" verifies that Big Dev can adjust production styles to any rate.
Someone MUST sign on to his stash soon. A revitalized Keith Murray, despite
fledging off on the same ol' beef, makes his presence known on yet another DJ
KK special. Holla if you got the hook up like Kid tho! Up-and-comers John Doe
and Maino contribute humorous lyrical sets, as where the truth Lord Tariq, Cory
Gunz and Bad Boy's Aasim and Choppa bring the verbals from their mid-tier talent
(read: non-commercial) that need be exposed. Keeping the South inline-as DJ
Kool Kid always do, check the M.O.B. tapes showcasing southern talent flanking
NY-8Ball and MJG check bounce to Diablo's tricky drum programming beside Black
Wallstreet's Heat; pure mayhem ensues with Lil Jon and the 3-6 in the house
for T.I. and Young Jeezy's actual rap talent. Yet, Swisha's Champ Paul Wall
sums up the exclusives with "Go Peaches," the funniest song of 0-5.
No one else has ever described the strip club to such lengths (ah ha): "…Let
me see that Kit Kat, break me off a piece..." DJ Kool Kid delivers another
mixtape classic with The Diesel 3.0. It's time for all y'all mixtape lames to
re-up. Early.
05/13 - 
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DJ
Kool Kid - The Diesel 3.0
