Posted on 07/06/2009
Tha Blaqprint is one of those albums that you really want to love. Blaq Poet, an underground staple to some and a fresh face to others, is an emcee capable of holding your interest even as he spits that grimy street-talk we have all heard before. Like other rappers of his breed, Blaq isn't waxing poetic on anything new or revolutionary. But it's his delivery, flow, and hood-addled voice that keeps your ear glued to the speaker.

Complementing Blaq's tenacity is none other than DJ Premier. Yes, that DJ Premier. On paper and based off his past work, one would think that no one could be better suited for this project than Premo. We all know how he took a competent, sometimes bland emcee (Guru) and made him nearly-legendary to some fans. But could he do the same on Tha Blaqprint, on which he produced 13 of the 15 tracks? Simply put: No, and, unfortunately, it's actually Premo's, and not Blaq's, fault.

Tha Blaqprint gets off to a promising start with "I-Gititin." Featuring a gritty-as-hell Premo beat behind him, Blaq spits ferociously across the track and carries that tenacious attitude as the album continues to play on. "U Phucc'd Up," which hosts a piano loop-driven beat laced by Easy Moe Bee, is full of gangster-speak about money and drugs while lead-single "Ain't Nuttin Changed" is Premo at his best. The legendary producer showcases a batch of his finest work on this track, which offers a blend of a guitar-lick and strings with those signature boom-bap drums and scratched-up hook. And the steady flow of solid tracks continues through the Gang Starr-esque and mellower "What's the Deal?" and the addicting "Legendary Pt. 1" featuring Nick Javas & NYGz.

Although we are only through the first five tracks at this point, most of which are quite enjoyable, everything begins to unravel here. DJ Premier's repetitive and paint-by-numbers beats cause the album to hit a wall of sorts. Tracks like "Hood Crazy," Sichuwayshunz," and "Let the Guns Blow" are otherwise decent efforts, but they fail to go anywhere with their lackluster production and recycled raps. Yes, Blaq deserve some blame here, too.

The Blaqprint ends up a lot like listening to a Gang Starr album with all the nostalgia removed. Premier might have been at the top of his game during that era and many of his beats were nothing short of stellar. But Guru, on the other hand, was not always the most competent emcee. And his monotone delivery, though a worthy trademark, made his rhymes tedious on some tracks. This time around, though, it's the production that fails to grab you, perhaps because it's hard to tear yourself away from Blaq's fiery delivery. Though, honestly, his limited subject matter can get tiresome as well. Remove three or four tracks from here and then Blaq and Premo could have had something special. Instead, you have a record with a strong first-half and a spotty ending.

- Andrew Martin