The Clockwork Dolls - Dramatis Personae album review
The
Clockwork Dolls - Dramatis Personae is a beautiful steampunk themed
album which is bold and daring especially in a world with Victorian
restraints and expectations parallel to our modern society. This
steampunk/rock opera/concept album is the embodiment of essential
steampunk for any steampunk fan. The layers of instrumentation and sound
effects are part of the orchestra ensemble for this album. Steampunk
fans call this album a steampunk masterpiece.
This album follows
and uses the classic steampunk trope of airship pirates. Yes, this
album is uses the pirate theme as many steampunk bands such as Abney
Park, Drachenflug, or Steam Powered Giraffe. Now their songs are very
much in depth. This steampunk band that actually takes period influence
into account given that the band was influenced by the Victorian period
of the 19th century. Which is why you hear elements and instruments from
classical music such as violins and cellos.
These
characters (dolls) each have their own individual personalities. These
dolls are the characters that are part of this concept album:
Helene
de Fer is a young noble woman from the upper class society of elites.
However she realizes that she could never want the life planned out for
her as a society wife. Of course she rebels and she dares to run away
to be a sky pirate.
Allison Curval is the strict automaton
governess of Helene de Fer. However her strict Victorian morals and
teachings have an adverse effect on Helene de Fer. So Allison Curval
does the best she can educate and model Helene de Fer into becoming a
respectable young lady. But she does not try to force her into a proper
arranged marriage.
Cedric Mayne is Helene's childhood friend who
is now a soldier. He abandoned his army post to join Helene de Fer and
become a sky pirate himself inconsequently. He made that his career
choice rather than to be the Lady rogue's enemy or an enemy of the army.
This way Cedric Mayne can be loyal to his friend instead of his
occupation.
Helene de Fer vents her feelings about the
choices she made about the decision to become a sky pirate on the song
Maiden Voyage. She takes a risk that gives her freedom and happiness
despite being the adventure being dangerous and illegal over accepting
security of being a cherished object.
She is high above the weary
world because she never thought this life would find her. Helene de Fer
is weary about the choices she made about the decision to become a sky
pirate. She stops to think of all she has lost. She will never again be
who she was. A child before her soul took flight.
You really
thought Helene would be a content housewife in a gilded cage? Well that
is not what she desires to become in life. She has another ambition she
wants in her life. Adventure is what Helene craves. Her passion's here
in whirring gears constructed out of steel and brass. Conquering the
clouds as gears unwind. The deck vibrates beneath her shoes. The rhythm
of her beating heart beats. Laughing with the pale moon. Endless ribbons
in the night. The patchwork of the land below her. The sea and sky are
all the same. She’ll never stop and she won't come down!
She will
not spoil with useless tears. This is triumph of her female soul. She
will not mourn what might have been. That is why she wants to forget the
past and those below. Fly with her. We can build the future.
Blades
in Autumn described and explained how Cedric Mayne forge his own
destiny to become a sky pirate instead of accepting the proper role laid
out for him. The theme of this song is quite militaristic obviously.
As
Cedric turned to go on his destiny, he could tell his father was angry.
His father knew of his plans. He knew Cedric was leaving. Cedric would
not back down from what he knew was to be right. To ask him to choose
between honor and duty. To aid in his capture or abet in his flight. And
it offered him the choice to remain or to fly. To stay in the place
where he knew all the answers or to face the unknown in the sky.
Cedric
strode across the grounds looking for isolation. Skipping stones on the
lake to clear up his mind. He was lost in the dark and the choice laid
before him. And whom to disappoint he could not decide. It was down by
that lake that his father then found him. And they sat in the silence
and brooded a while. At last, he said, "Son, I know that she's leaving.
And I know, too, you're thinking of going along. I remind you a man
isn't judged by his orders. But the actions he takes and things he
decides."
Cedric looked at his blade as it flashed across the
moon. In the moment he knew what his future must be. No longer is he
lost. He had made his decision The freedom of choice had in turn made
him free.
He raised his father's sword and watched it gleam. The
shadows on the moon made shape of everything he'd ever dreamed. His
anger washed away upon the wind and left behind a sense of peace.
Anticipation to begin. And when they met again they did not speak. He
simply nodded yes to Cedric. A day from now he would be free.
The
Ballad of Black Jack Jezebel gives the listener a glimpse of the life
of a sky pirate named Black Jack Jezebel who was a female gambler that
was betrayed by a man that beat her in a game of cards. This is one of
those old Country & Western ballads.
They called her 'Black Jack Jezebel'. She was The Mistress of the Game. And every border town could tell the story of her fame.
Black
Jack Jezebel wore a long black coat with two quick guns and endless
luck with cards. Until one game destroyed her run. The blow hit her
hard. She lost her cool that fateful night and bet all on a bust. She'd
put her faith in an oversight. A man she could not trust. He took her
heart and took her crown. Her reputation was lost that night. She vowed
that night to hunt him down no matter what the cost may have been. Black
Jack Jezebel booked her passage on a ship to search throughout the
skies. Her anger spurred her on that trip to kill him for his lies.
The
Dame de Fer (Helene de Fer) saw every town from Maine to San Francisco
Bay. She knew the whereabouts of Black Jack Jezebel too. But Black Jack
Jezebel still could not hunt him down. Her prey was elusive.
Until
she found him in a bar in Saskatchewan one night. Black Jack Jezebel
told him, "Is that my coin you're drinking on? This time you won't get
far." She bought him down with a single shot which brought him to his
knees. Then she told him, "I'll have you know I can't be bought. I will
do as I please."
He groaned aloud as he hit the floor. She'd
caught him unaware. He said to Black Jack Jezebel, "You can't kill me,
you dirty whore! I beat you, fair and square." She laughed and kicked
him in the side. And put away her gun. She told him, "I've searched the
world for your dirty hide. There's nowhere left to run. I'll have what's
mine, what's due to me! You'll give me back my pride! Return my luck
and set me free! I will not let this ride!"
He said to Black Jack
Jezebel, "Your luck's not mine to give or take. I never stole your
pride. What luck you have is what you make. It all comes from inside."
He chucked then and breathed a sigh. He bled out on the floor. The man
she'd chased across every sky was suddenly no more.
Black Jack
Jezebel said to him, "I curse the day I saw your face or every heard
your name! I curse the land, the sky, this place as witness to my
shame!"
That was the last they ever knew of Black Jack Jezebel.
They couldn't care where she'd gone to. To heaven or to hell. But windy
nights with chilly air bring voices on the breeze. And gambling men most
everywhere might fall down to their knees.
And pray a shadow
does not come to play with them at cards because Black Jack Jezie's
brand of fun puts them all on guard. If she wins, or so they tell.
She'll only take your purse. But if you beat that dark-eyed gel, your
life's forever cursed.
No Guns Allowed in My Bar is another
one of those old Country & Western ballads mixed with Vaudeville
style music. The song explains why the bar owner has the “No Guns
Allowed” policy in her bar.
Ladies and Gents settle down, settle
down. Settle down back there. Pay attention, I tell you! You in the
back! Shut your yap! The Cabaret D’Infernal proudly presents your
favorite hostess and mine, the one who makes everything possible, Anne
Fernale! Merci, mes amis, merci! Thank you for the warm welcome. But we
are not here to talk about me
Look around you. Anne Fernale’s
beautiful establishment is destroyed! The night was young when they sat
down. The cards were dealt thick and fast. Cigars were smoked and drinks
were downed. But something was wrong with those two. They claimed they
were cheated and started a rout. The table was turned over.
Then guns
were drawn and knives came out. Her bar was completely destroyed! Anne
wanted those fools brought in. They look on a lot when they tangled with
her. They’ve gotten down under her skin.
The rules are the
rules. And everyone knows. No guns allowed in Anne Fernale’s bar! That
is why Anne Fernale has the “No Guns Allowed” policy in her bar.
A
small man named Owen started all this which led to Anne Fernale
establishing her “No Guns Allowed” policy in her bar. A small man named
Owen started all this by calling the dealer a cheat. He was already
losing his money hand over fist. Owen slapped on the table and brought
out his gun. The rest of the bar followed suit. He snatched all the
money. Then he started to run and was out the door into the night!
My
friends, Anne is bereft! Anne has given everything to her cabaret and
to see it destroyed in one fell swoop. It’s almost too much to bear! As
you can see, her fine establishment has been destroyed! Mauled! Ruined!
Impartial
explained how law enforcement caught up with the sky pirates of The
Dame de Fer (Helene de Fer). So they must fight for their lives and for
their freedoms.
Impartial is the battle cry of the sky pirates
of The Dame de Fer. For here they stand or here they die. A firefight to
light the sky. The time for reckoning is nigh. Their law enforcement
ships outman them 1 to 3. A challenge for the world to see. So they’ll
strike them fast before night fades and bring down this cursed brigade.
They’ve come too far to let this go. Fury now will be dealt in spades.
The guns are primed to blow. Their moment thrives in this tableau.
It
is fair to bring them all to a fight they cannot win? To ask for proof
of loyalty they gave Helene de Fer on a whim? Is this fear and loathsome
doubt her last remaining sin? Or can Helene de Fer tamp this feeling
down to fit inside my skin?
Was Helene de Fer a fool to leave the
earth to chase this fairy dream? As suddenly this carefree life has
lost its lustrous sheen. Is Helene de Fer the leader that they need. Is
Helene de Fer an avenging Pirate Queen? Or just a girl who's lost her
way? A cog in the machine.
But none of them have turned away and
none of them have fled. Despite the possibility tomorrow they will be
dead. The fears of her mortality take flight inside her head. And
supplant the notes of strategy compiled in their stead. They won't
decide who'll win and lose. Their story's based on what we choose.
Helene de Fer has come too far and paid her dues. Their triumph will be
front page news.
Iron Rose showed pirates at work behind the
scenes. The song is a story explaining how a pirate airship sights a
defenseless ship full of expensive freight containing valuables. Iron
Rose is the hidden track on the album.
Cedric Mayne tells Helene
de Fer, “My lady, two ships sighted off the port bow!” Helene de Fer
asks Cedric Mayne, “Do you a bearing on them?” Cedric Mayne responds
back to Helene de Fer saying, “Aye, the HMS Galleon escorting the
frigate Caruso.”
Helene de Fer is aware of the current situation.
She has had her eyes on the frigate Caruso for many years now. She
tells Cedric Mayne, “The Caruso? She's a 200 ton freighter. And
reconnaissance has it it's all spices and tea. Mr. Mayne, mobilize the
crew, you have 10 minutes!” Cedric tells her, “Yes, my lady!”
Cedric
mobilizes the crew and tells the crew, “Men to all crew stations!
Gunners sight propulsion engines! Boarding party suit up and begin
forming ranks! Raise the Iron Rose! You are not men! You are not women!
You are an unstoppable force! And we will be reckoned with!”
The
crew tells the crew operating the defenseless ship full of expensive
freight containing valuables, “Abandon hope! The Iron Rose comes forth
to claim the prize. We seek your goods. We seek your gold. We do not
seek your lives. The Iron Maid who rules us.The Iron Rose be rare. Don't
fight with us. You will not win. But join us if you dare.” “The Iron
Rose a-flying means danger in the sky. We fight for gold. We fight as
one. For we will do or die.”
Cedric tells the crew, “Onward! Left, left, left right left! Left, left, left right left! Battalions, draw your weapons!”
Clockwork
Maid told the story of how governess Allison Curval trying to raise,
educate, and model Helene de Fer to become a proper lady. Helene de Fer
was a little girl with piratical tendencies who had no desire or
intention of becoming a proper lady. Clockwork Maid is the first half of
Allison Curval's flashback of when she was raising and molding Helene
de Fer into becoming a respectable young lady.
The song also
shows how Helene de Fer and Allison Curval care for each other. Such as
when Allison backs off on trying to force Helene into a proper arranged
marriage when she realizes that Helene is uninterested in marriage and
that is an unrealistic goal for her.
Allison Curval is the strict
automaton governess of Helene de Fer whose strict Victorian morals and
teachings have an adverse effect on Helene de Fer. Allison Curval does
the best she can educate and mold Helene de Fer into becoming a
respectable young lady. Of course Helene de Fer rebels against Victorian
societal norms and teachings. But she does not try to force her into a
proper arranged marriage. Just imagine trying to raise a little girl
with piratical tendencies to be a proper lady.
Allison Curval was the patient and true governess who was in charge of making Helene de Fer a lady when she was a child.
These
were the words that Allison Curval said to Helene de Fer when they
first became acquainted with each other. Helene was climbing a tree at
the time when they first became acquainted. “I am the governess, patient
and true. Charged with the making a lady of you. Come down from that
tree and put on your shoes. There's things to be learnt and there's no
time to lose.”
Allison taught Helene curtsy properly like a
proper lady. This is what Allison said to Helene when she taught her how
to curtsy properly like a proper lady should. “Helene, you must learn
to curtsy properly, like so. Now, you try.” Helene tried to curtsy
properly like a proper lady but ends up colliding into Allison. “Ow,
sorry!” Allison sighs in disbelief saying, “Oh dear!”
Allison was
still Helene’s governess even when she was 18. Yet Allison still had to
correct Helene about her hygiene, posture, and dress even though she
was already an adult.
Helene asked Allison if they could go
outside to the archery range. “Allison, can we go outside to the archery
range?” Allison tells Helene no because it’s time for her lessons. She
tells her, “No! It's time for your lessons.” Helene protests saying,
“But you promised to teach me how to shoot!”
Allison tells Helene
there are more important things in life that she should be working
about at her her age such as hygiene, posture, and dress. Helene’s
wedding was 1 year away. She was to be married at 19.
Allison
tells Helene, “These things are important, you're nearly eighteen. Your
wedding's just one year away. Your posture's atrocious, your hair isn't
clean. Your petticoat's starting to fray. I saw Charles again today.”
Helene shows that she is clearly uninterested in Charles because she
can't stand him. Helene says to Allison, “Oh, don't talk to me about
that oaf.” Allison tells Helene that Charles is fine gentleman.
Allison
explains to Helene that she doesn't have to stand him. She just has to
be a good wife to Charles. Allison tells her, “You don't have to stand
him. Just be a good wife. A jewel in the peerage's crown. This party
will launch off the rest of your life. Your destiny's worldly renown. I
know that it chafes but it's all by design. You'll be the most beautiful
bride. And then will come children. Well, all in good time. A new
generation to bide.”
Allison tells Helene, “Helene, take off your
party dress before you run. Otherwise you might fall down the stairs.”
Helene runs down the stairs without considering Allison’s advice to
remove her party dress before she runs Otherwise she might fall down the
stairs.
Allison that trying to force Helene into a proper
arranged marriage is an unrealistic goal for her. She realizes that
Helene is uninterested in marriage. So she rescinds on that goal for
Helene.
Allison says, “Oh dear! I am the governess. Patient it's
true. But I don't think that I'll make a lady of you. You're dirty and
wild and a little bit mad. But, strange as it seems, that isn't so bad.
The big day's tomorrow. So rest well my sweet. The morning will come all
too soon.”
Helene agrees back with opposition by telling
Allison, “You are the governess! Don't make a lady of me! Dirty and
wild, little bit mad. Strange as it seems, that isn't so bad. I won't
sleep, I can't sleep! Morning will come all too soon!” That was Helene's
counterpoint.
Allison complains and wonders why would she give
it all away for just another ordinary day. She was the governess who was
in charge of making Helene de Fer into a lady. Allison complains and
says, “Why does the night come to find me? Dancing alone in a dress of
the moon? I am here to perfect her. To push her into the sun. Seems all
my life has been building to this day. Then why would I give it all away
for just another ordinary day?”
A Safe Rest is a soothing
lullaby which is the second half of Allison Curval's flashback of when
she was raising and molding Helene de Fer into becoming a respectable
young lady. A Safe Rest picks up where Clockwork Maid left off.
Helene
asks Allison, “How is it we have come to this? A turning that I somehow
missed? What weakened strength is left behind for me without your
brilliant mind?”
Then she tells Allison she cannot fix her
wounded hole or seek to hold her noble soul but she can hold her until
she falls asleep. “I cannot fix your wounded hole or seek to hold your
noble soul. But I can hold you till you sleep and sing the song you sing
for me. Close your eyes, my dear one. And rest your head beside me.
Night's enchanting slumber sings you to a safe rest. The lissome night
has fallen. The clouds are drifting slowly. I'll be by your side, dear.
Till morning has come.”
Allison forgives Helene by saying,
“There's nothing here for me to forgive. Just live the life that you're
meant to live. The greatest thing you've done for me is act to set my
soul free. My journey ends tonight it's true. But so much more is
awaiting you. Don't cry my sweet the night is here. And while you sleep I
will be near. Close your eyes, my dear one. And rest your head beside
me. Night's enchanting slumber sings you to a safe rest. The lissome
night has fallen. The clouds are drifting slowly. I'll be by your side,
dear. Till morning has come.
5/5*****!!
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Various Artists - The Chronic 2000 album review
The
Chronic 2000 album was a compilation album Suge Knight released to get
revenge on Dr. Dre for back in 1999. Suge Knight wanted to get revenge
on Dr. Dre so bad that he canceled the release of Death Row Inside Out
replaced it with Chronic 2000 instead. The Chronic 2000 was more
demanded than the Death Row Inside Out compilation album was. There was a
lot of music that was supposed to be on the Death Row Inside Out
compilation album which were scrapped and redone for The Chronic 2000
album. The album introduced new artists Suge had signed such as his
niece VK (Vanesha Knight), Top Dogg, Tha Realist, and Doobie.
Cindafella
is Top Dogg’s take on the children’s story Cinderella. The story keeps
the plot line almost the same. However there are several changes with
use suggestive material more geared for adults. Drug references and
sexual innuendos are used for example. Several references about
Californian culture are made throughout the song. Cindafella plays the
game! Because Top Dogg is a baller that show no shame!
Top Dogg
played the role of the main character of the song named Cindafella.
Cindafella is a gangsterfied parody the original Cindafella character.
Suge Knight plays the role of character called Gangsta Godfather. His
character is a gangsterfied parody of the Fairy Godmother character.
Cindafella
is a prime example of how Top Dogg was a carbon copy of Snoop Dogg.
This song was proves that he was a biter using Snoop Dogg's style. You
can obviously tell Suge talked Top Dogg into sounding like Snoop Dogg.
This cover almost uses the same lyrics even.
Cindafella is a
cover of Snoop Dogg - Snoopafella. However his cover of Cindafella is
more brehsive than Snoop’s version because the beats have more bounce to
them and the pace slightly more uptempo. This cover is not as dark
sounding as the original version. Overall this cover version of Snoop
Dogg - Snoopafella is a timeless classic. I’m not gonna lie. This was
some people’s shit back in the day!
The legendary in-house
producer J. Flexx produced Cindafella for Top Dogg. The sample used in
the song is the timeless pop soul classic Dazz - Brick. The beat sampled
Ice Cube - No Vaseline.
The song starts off with the classic one-liner, “Cause I'm a baller that show no shame!”
Once
upon a time in the place to be. On the darkside of the C-P-T (Compton,
California, US). There lived a young G rolling weed and smog To make the
story interesting it's Top Dogg. Top Dogg lived in a shack with his OG
dad and two big homies who treated him bad. He cooked and cleaned. And
he even scrubbed the floors. And he was like an errand boy running to
the liquor store. The homies, they used to boast and brag. "We got
Chucks and khakis that sag!" Even worse than that to make him feel low.
They used to have Top Dogg smoke stress while they had indo (marijuana).
The girls used to say, "D, you're so cute. But you gets no rap with
them bell bottom suits"
Well, one day on the Avenue, there was a
man, surrounded by the Compton crew. He said, "Hear ye! Hear ye! Come
one, come all! The hoochies are having a royal ball. If you can rap and
also dress fresh
You might win a date with the ghetto princess"
Top
Dogg ran home after he heard the whole speech. He went straight to his
OG asked him permission to attend the royal ball with the hoochies. He
asked his OG, "OG, may I?" and before he could finish, "Hell no!", he
replied. He got so mad. Mad enough to blast Even Pops was aiming for a
piece of that ass.
They haunted and flaunted. They knew what Top
Dogg wanted "We gonna get some hoochies." That's what they taunted.
They laughed and joked. They hated on Top Dogg. They didn't want to see
me fucking up the M-I-C (the microphone). So they left the crib with a
smile on their face. And as they stepped out they said, "Clean up this
place!"
Now Topp Dogg is standing all alone. He just got dissed
by his big homies and OG. He’s smoke them all if he had one wish. But
before he was able to make his thought a phrase. There appeared the G in
a puff of haze. He said, "What's up, Dogg? My name is Suge. I'm your
Gangsta Godfather. It’s all to the good. Now I came here with the main
purpose of granting you your fondest wish" I said, "Suge, what's popping
dog? Just put me down with the Row and I know that I can handle these
hoes for sure."
He waved a Cuban cigar. And before you know, his
sacks of stress was an ounce of indo. His clothes transformed from rags
to silk suits. The Gangsta Godfather transformed Top Dogg’s hooptie into
a Lexus Coupe De Ville.
However the Gangsta Godfather tells Top
Dogg, "But you must rock the mic by the stroke of 12 or you'll turn back
into your old self"
Cindafella plays the game! Because Top Dogg is a baller that show no shame!
Well
Top Dogg hits the hoochie royal ball at 10 o'clock at night. Top Dogg
was too flossy for the princess. So she started to jock by simply
ignoring him as if he did not exist. He hit the stage enraged and had
started to rock. By 11:35 PM, he was all in the cock and all up in that
pussy.
All his homies was amazed that the bitch was his
So he swooped to the Coupe at 11:59 PM. This story doesn't end with no fuckin glass shoes.
The song ended with the ends with the classic lyrics about the condom he had used during that night.
All my homies was amazed that the bitch was mine
So I swooped to the Coupe at eleven fifty-nine
This story doesn't end with no fuckin glass shoes
All was left on the step was the rubber that I used
Going
Back To Cali was a diss song aimed at P Diddy (Sean Combs) and Bad Boy
Records. Top Dogg was dissing P Diddy (Sean Combs) and Bad Boy Records
on the song Going Back To Cali. The song was recorded in 1997 just a
few months before The Notorious B.I.G. was killed. Top Dogg also disses
Dr. Dre in the song. Top Dogg says, “Fuck Bad Boy. Nigga, this is Death
Row. They say they comin' back to Cali but they ain't comin' back to
Cali.” Going Back To Cali was one of the hardest tracks on the album
next to Cindafella and Trippin. Goin Back To Cali is one of his
signature songs which was used on the Gang Related soundtrack.
The
song samples Zapp - More Bounce To The Ounce. Now of course anyone can
sample More Bounce To The Ounce by Zapp. Suge was trying to cash in on
the throwback sound with this sample and song. 70s funk over 90s rap.
This
is your captain once again. As we make our descent into Los Angeles, we
hope you had a pleasant flight. The weather conditions are clear blue
skies at 86ยบ F degrees and we'll be in the terminal in less than 30
seconds. Once again thank you for flying Death Row West.
Top Dogg
is feeling good off the drink and the indo (marijuana). When the 9 ball
hits your brain, there ain't nothin' left on the ground but a
mothafuckin' blood stain. The return of the mothafuckin' riders. One
deuce six Darkside Eastsidaz. Young G is a G with stamina. Ask ya bitch
how it felt when Top Dogg was bammin' her. Top Dogg is in the streets
but ridin' like he’s in jail. Death Row signed Top Dogg 25 with a L. You
know the Row got Cali' on lockdown. O.F.T.B., Y.G.D. And Tha Dogg
Pound.
Top Dogg disses Bad Boy Records in Verse 1 on with these lyrics.
Sucker suckin' on a lollipop lookin' cute
All the bitch nigga's missin' is a pink suit (gay ass niggas)
I'm feelin' good off the drink & the Indo
Fuck Bad Boy, nigga, this is Death Row
Top
Dogg set the record straight about how Death Row was a giant in the
music industry in the 1990s in Verse 2. Read these lyrics.
[Verse 2]
Fe fi fo fum (ha ha haaa)
get out the way bitch this where Death Row come
Lettin' niggas know it's a giant in the industry
(Tell 'em who you is young nigga) Y.G.D.
Suge Knight put a nigga on payroll
so you know I ain't gotta sell the f*ckin' yayo (that's right nigga)
no more as I'm smokin' on Indo
in a brand new 500 Benzo (that's right)
They say D let's roll to the studio (yeah)
and drop a smash on these mothaf*ckin foolios (f*ck these niggas)
I hear these fools gangsta hatin' on Makaveli (Pac)
sayin' Death Row is through oh nigga really?
You must not have heard about the brand new itinerary
(tell 'em about it)
we got a lock from December to January
If you ain't got yo' West Coast Death Row pass
(what we gon' do?)
you better leave town before we get yo' ass
They say they comin' back to Cali
but they ain't comin' back to Cali
Top
Dogg is here to set the record straight about how Death Row is giant in
the music industry. Fe fi fo fum. Get out the way, bitch. This where
Death Row comes from. Top Dogg is letting you niggas know Death Row is
giant in the music industry. Suge Knight put Top Dogg on payroll.
Flossed up looking clean, Top Dogg is smokin' on indo (marijuana) in a
brand new 500 Mercedes Benz. He hears these fools are hating on Makaveli
(2Pac) by saying Death Row Records is through. You fools must not have
heard about the brand new itinerary. Death Row got a lock from December
to January. If you ain't got your West Coast Death Row pass, you better
leave town before they get your ass.
Top Dogg’s nigga Lo said Tha
Row needs some gangsta shit. The real shit the bitch niggas don't fuck
with. He’s ready to ride on you muthafuckin' bustas always rappin' about
yo' Benz & yo' clusters
Top Dogg hangs with them crazy niggas
straight out of Watts such as Lo-Flip and Bus Stop from O.F.T.B. (OFTB).
Top Dogg puts it down every time with every rhyme of his every time.
Because the gangsta shit makes a gang of chips. Gangsta rap forever.
I
Wanna Be Loved By You is about wanting to be loved by the person you
cherish and or admire. Nobody else will do The song is a Michel'le and
VK duet. The song was used on the Chronic 2000 album.
Michel'le
can't deny that her heart is on a high over the man she loves and
cherishes. No one can bring Michel'le down but him. Michel'le wants him
to help him live all of his fantasies. He wanted a real woman. All she
need is to be loved by him. Nobody else will do.
It was no
surprise VK was deep in thought when her man called. It's the words he
said that made her feel 10 feet tall. She tells him he don't have to
worry about the men from her past. They didn't handle business. They
packed their bags voluntarily. It's just him and VK.
[VK]
You told me when I blow up don't forget about you
But will you forget about me if I don't blow up Boo?
You wanted a real woman, here I am, it's just you and me
Are you strong enough baby, can you, feel the heat?
I was deep in thought, it was no surprise, when you called
It's the words you said that made me feel ten feet tall
You said you love me all you wanna know is I'm, here for you
And hey love, there's a song we make up to with a tight ass beat
Sweetheart, you don't have to worry about the men from my past
They didn't handle business, so in a flash, I
Voluntarily pack they bags put em in the car and make em mash
We automatic cause we both after the cash
If we, don't stop the world, we damn sure slow it down
And if, anybody in our way we movin the haters around
Don't, have no doubts baby fo' sho' VK got you
Can't you see, I wanna be loved, only by you
Curiosity
is a chilling song about her absentee father. She contemplates over the
curiosity of his whereabouts. This song will hit hard with especially
those that truly understand that silent pain of where VK is coming from
or just situations of an absentee parent. Curiosity is a song that VK
wrote in 1995 after Gangsta Rick said, "You go hard, but you need to
write more about yourself." The song also deals with abuse and rape.
Her
absentee father is the pain that puts stress on her brain. How does she
refrain from making him a bloodstain? She would love to see him. She
wonders these following questions. Who are you? How old are you? How
tall are you? What do you think of the daughter that wants to meet you?
Do I have your smile and your eyes that have kept me strong? Will you
ever be man enough to show your face? Will you roll on the situation?
She
wonders if he will you ever be man enough to show his face or if he
will roll out on the situation he is currently in. Maybe her father has a
wife, kids, and a big house. Or maybe he is a business man with the big
clout. Who knows how the story goes. Maybe VK will see. VK is just a
fatherless child filled with curiosity. Sometimes she gets a little
lonely.
Her homies and family claim not to understand her. Why
does she talk with so much emotion. Why does she feel so deeply? VK has
this habit of biting her fingernails when deep in thought. Did he bite
his fingernails too? Did he get slapped when he got caught? VK asked her
mother where her father was
Sometimes she feels her soul is
tired from the lack of sleep. She said he died in a plane crash
overseas. Her mother used to get mad zooted. So 2 years later VK asked
again and she had to prove it. She couldn't in fact. She forgot what she
said the first time. Her mother lied to her. Her friends were right
about that. This is the real reason why this case was sealed tight. She
needs help to understand what's going on with this man who she has never
met or seen. Some pieces of this puzzle are missing in action. This is
trouble.
VK doesn’t know her father because her father raped her
mother when she was a minor. He escaped after he raped her mother. Rape
is punishable by death.Life is a 360. What goes around comes around. It
will come to haunt you down. But now you listen and pay witness to
these raw facts. Who knows. He probably turned over a new leaf.
“A
nation will rise/No higher than this woman, a fatherless child” is one
of the most deepest poetic lyrics of this song. The lyrics “But now you
listen and pay witness to this raw facts/Life is a three-sixty, what
goes around comes around/And back to your cypher, it will come to haunt
you down” are some of the deepest hard hitting lyrics of this song.
Trial
& Tribulations showcased how dope VK was with her versatile
sporadic lyrical ability. She was really dope on the mic. The song is
about the trial and tribulations of a female rapper trying break in and
get her foot in the door in the music business. She explained her hard
life from birth to that current point in her lifetime. She has had a
hard life full of constant struggles.
Trial & Tribulations
was produced by Char Jones aka CHAR J. The only female producer on Death
Row Records. Trials & Tribulations was recorded for the Death Row
Inside Out compilation album in 1998. However that song was never
released as the Death Row Inside Out compilation album was never
released.
VK grew up with nothing but dreams from the start. She
has been blessed as everything she has touched becomes art. Practice
makes perfect. That is because she is a perfectionist. Her musical style
and lyrical skills wouldn’t have mattered if she had not taken time out
to learn the business side of the music industry. Shattered dreams are
something that she will not accept.
At the 1:55 duration mark in
the song is about how she separated herself from her former manager who
was Reginald T Pearson. Her former manager got mad because VK refused
to have sexual intercourse with him. She already signed a contract with
another record label. Reginald T Pearson can’t feel this because he is
not her man. In the end she did not renew her recording contract with
her former manager Reginald T Pearson. She was very pissed with
everything going against her.
These are the trial and tribulations of a female rapper trying to get in the music business.
She
does not trust too many female rappers because they betrayed her in the
past by faking their friendship with her. They weren’t really her
friend. They were only pretending to be her friend.
VK
showcases her more feminine side on The Things Your Man Won’t Do. VK
explains to ladies the things their men won’t do for them in this song
of hers. This song is about relationships from a woman’s point of view.
The song was recorded in 1999 for the Chronic 2000 album.
It's
1999 and it's scandalous. Only in God does VK trust. So stay ready to
bust the closest one to you. VK explains to ladies the things their men
won’t do for them. To the ladies out there… These are the things you
think your man won't do.
Everybody told her to peep game because
of this. But some sorry motherfucker got her into some shit. He got VK
bent. But she should have known since the first time that she saw the
both of them sitting in the living room lookin' like Jennifer 2 was on
the menu. She saw her man in the living room with another woman.
Her
man’s destiny and reality were headed for doom. What happened to the
animalistic passion and thuggish he had? The way they used to have
sexual intercourse even when they weren't alone. VK listed her man as a
professional (pro) in every category. This is a nigga VK took trips and
hustled with. He was her road dawg. They was on some soulmate shit.
That’s the type of shit that make a man want just her. VK let him feel
her soul when she opened up and let him in her life. But now he is on
some other shit. She is seconds away from blasting him with her .44
slug.
Now it might be ironic but somebody has been playing on the
phone And this happened every day at night he leaves home. Where has he
been? Who does he have to meet in the middle of the night? Why does he
do the things he does?
Her homie called her and told her he got
the tightest sticky. Notifying VK about her man’s last night escapades
and rendezvouses. He is sneaking around playin' freaky, deaky, zeeky
(freaky, deeky, zeeky or whatever you want to call it). And the busta he
was with ain't actin' like they cool with her. Now he can't look her in
the eyes. Why does he do the things he does?
She shouldn't be
surprised because it be the hardest bustas. The drive-by, shoot 'em up,
bang bang bustas. Chocolate boss, slidin' in and out the butt bustas.
She
should have listened to her homies that told her about him. This
explains the fuckin' shit stains. Not only in the back, but in the front
of his Range Rover. VK saw her man at the restaurant exchanging fuck
faces with this other woman. She can start all over just like the book
of Genesis. But he can’t though. Best believe her is gonna pay for what
he did to VK.
The remix to the Dr. Dre classic Rat Tat Tat
Tat called Rat Tat Tat Tat (Remix) was a hardcore explicit lyrical
gangsta rap song with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and VK. The song was recorded
in early 2000 and produced with leftover recording from Dr. Dre.
There
is a reason this remix to Rat Tat Tat Tat was never released. Rat Tat
Tat Tat (Remix) was initially planned to be used on the Chronic 2000
album. However Dr. Dre sent a cease and desist order to Death Row
Records telling them they could not use any of his unreleased material
because he did not want them to and because the recordings were
incomplete despite selling the rights to his masters when he left the
label. The producers had to quickly redo this song by adding Treach and
replacing Dr. Dre for the version that was released.
Death Row
couldn't include this remix because Dr. Dre threatened legal action
against them if they had used the song. Dr. Dre and Suge Knight were
beefing heavily at that time. There were advertisements (ads) in The
Source specifically featuring 4 unreleased Dr. Dre songs from The
Chronic era even though those songs turned out to be remixes. That is
why the remix to Rat Tat Tat Tat was never released. That is also why
Rat Tat Tat Tat (Remix) can only be found on the demo version and
promotional versions only. This shit was fire and should have been on
the album.
The beginning of the song starts with a thick heavy
bass line which leaves a long lasting impression on your mind and ears. A
male voice tells us it’s time to wake that ass up. This male voice
discusses how Death Row is going to make a comeback by taking it home.
Death Row had not went anywhere and just laid in the cut.
VK
releases the funkiness out of the chamber in Verse 1. She wants to see
who remains left afterwards. Let's see who remains. She wants to see
who’s got the knack irrevocable and indisputable brain. Unquestionably
it is VK who has the irrefutable and disputable brain. Holler “mayday!”
as VK has come out to play. She knows she can hold her own spot with the
microphone despite being featured on other songs constantly. She can
take the microphone and hold her own against any crew.
It don't
even make no sense be this hype. Atomic lyrics are hittin' you fools
makin' your fingers drop the mic. Who's the first eye to eye witness to
feel the pain on the brain and plus get put on her shit list? Her shit
is addictive like that sticky green chronic. Like sticky buddha sets.
The original chorus is used after Verse 1.
[Chorus: Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg]
Rat-tat-tat-tat, tat-ta-tat, like that, and I
Never hesitate to put a nigga on his back
Rat-tat-tat-tat, tat-ta-tat, like that, and I
Never hesitate to put a nigga on his back
The original verse to Verse 2 is used during Verse 2.
[Verse 2: Dr. Dre]
Creepin' and peepin' and we can get with these
The Chronic, slangin' fat ki's from my block
And it don't stop, tell me where you wanna go
To the strip, or take a trip ballin' with the Row
My shit off in ya system attacks
Indo smoke go in ya lungs like that
You get lifted, calm, and if it's the bomb
Taken away like Calgon, Vietnam
California, back and on a mission
Provin' a point, in my game, ain't no fuckin' competition
They wishin' but run up on reality
C-P-T, C-A-L my locality
It's strange how I re-arrange and change
The business by droppin' shit like this
Dope, niggas can't cope with the real
I bill, penitentiary steel, when I kill, it goes
Watch
out as VK has come to blow your whole plan off. That is what she does
during Verse 3. Cover your weapon because this is a lyrical standoff. A
woman to man standoff. She will make the world see what she has already
saw. She is a ghetto scholar. A plan to execute is what she has in mind.
I don’t care what you think there is no one on Death Row who is
equivalent to VK.
Ho Hoppin with Top Dogg and Doobie was
supposed to be featured on the 1999 album Chronic 2000 Still Smokin but
didn't make the final cut for the album. Suge G-Funk’d the shit out of
song hoping to revive Death Row. Sadly the sound of Death Row was dying
by that time. Nevertheless it’s dope.
Die Muthafucka Die is
unreleased track produced by Dr Dre with Top Dogg that was recorded
during the Chronic 2000 Still Smokin sessions. Die Muthafucka Die was
supposed to be featured on the 1999 album Chronic 2000 Still Smokin but
didn't make the final cut for the album. Die Muthafucka Die got taken
off of Chronic 2000 Still Smokin and remain unreleased because Dr. Dre
didn't want Suge Knight using his unfinished songs. Suge used material
that was recorded earlier for this track.
4/5****!
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