The Skinny

A Review by

Vigilante


The OutKast have created their own label titled Aquemini, and the first artist from their camp is Slimm Cutta Calhoun. Outkast will go down in history as one of hip hop's greatest duo's ever created, and I was very interested to see how their first artist compared to their longstanding tradition.

Intro  This is just what an intro is supposed to do. Kick in with a hot beat, and throw something at the listener that makes you want to keep listening. The speaker tells us he's introducing Slim, and we need to listen up cause he's going to give us the skinny.

$.25

Red Clay Wait, this is the same cat that had those rather weak lyrics on "Its Ok"? Wow, this guy was trying to fool us all. He has some talent. On this cut,  talks about how the down south runs things, and how you don't want to come down their with weak ass rhymes.

$2.00

This Young G This song has ATL flava written all over it. It reminds me of some of that original OutKast work. This track shows that Slim has what it takes to rip a track solo, and rips it he does. This track will get your head knockin from the start, and the chorus yell in the background is PERFECT. This track is Slim's "name" and recognize song.  

$2.10

Well Damn. I didn't know Slim had it in him. This boy has some serious lyrical talent. I'm in love with this Rock guitar style mixed with this hip hop, its a perfect blend. The beat is hot, the lyrics is hot, and Slim sends a message at the same time. No wonder this dude is rollin with Outkast.

"Before you started you was finished. Dehydradted and deplinished. Niggaz is all washed up without a swallow in they cup. Cause everytime a chicken cluck, you trickin tha buck." - Slimm Cutta

$2.50

Timelock (camp David Interlude) Slim drops some serious knowledge on this track. I love MC's who rap about ish that matters, instead of money, bling, blinging, and killin peeps. On this track, Slim talks about the vicious cycle that takes over everyone in life.

"I'm in a timelock, locked in hell. The world is my cell, I feel I'm better off dead or in jail. This shit keeps revolving, problems I keep solving, but I'm caught in this door of hell and it keep revolving."

$3.00

It Ain't Easy  (ft. Backbone) –  On this track, Slim and Backbone rap about how it ain't easy to make it in this world. Unlike most guest artists, Backbone keeps up with Slim on this track. A laid back bouncin track that uses nice plays on words in the hook to tell another nice story about making it in this world.

$2.50

Dirt Work ( ft. Big Boi)1/2 of Outkast with their newest artist Slim = some lyrical flows not matched by many. Unfortuantely, as tight as these two spit this laid back track is quite hittin me the same way all the other tracks have. I love the beat, but I think the hook takes a little of the fire out of the track overall.

$1.20

It's OK (ft. Andre 3000)- This is the first single from the album, I understand why considering its such a party track and appeals more to mainstream. Andre (of OutKast) coming in with the synthesized voice is a bit much, but the overall feel of the track. Not a good display of Slim's lyrical ability, but the track is still hot and will certainly get the job done while you rollin down the streets.

"All these lonley girls wanna f*ck. Its OK. (Its aiight girl, its ok) Keep callin me, beggin me, and blowin me up. Its OK" -Slimm Cutta

$2.00

The Skinny (ft. Ludacris)Title track, very laid back as Slim relays a story to the people. He touches on todays youth with guns and all the killing that takes place. This is a deep song, and provides some nice imagery for the mind.

$1.80

The Cut Song – NOOOO, this album was on its way to being completely perfection. I guess no album live up to that. Anyway, this album is another party track...but it lacks   on everything. Bad lyrics, horrible hook, and a beat that could only get a person in a coma moving.

$.20

All Da Hustlers- This is one of those tracks that's not bad, but I am not feeling in no way whatsoever. This track offers nothing new to the table lyrically and  just a piece of filler material that you're either going to use to bob your head up and down while rolling down the street. Or just skipping it.

$.50

Lil Buddy – On this track, Skinny tells how he and his lil' buddy  were friends when they were young, and things and circumstances have caused that frienship to stress a little. This is one of those tracks I think everyone can relate to, rather that lil buddy be you best boy or the girl you treated like your lil' sis.

"Till death do us part, we was niggas from the start. you my nigga from the heart. Remember when we used to ride and smoke, sit back and joke, and soak  game from the grown folk" - Calhoun

$2.00

Characters  – I'm feelin this track, probably more than I should. On this track Slim talks about how some people are very animated, and fake acting like cartoon chracters. Its not really as deep as it sounds, just a play on words. Its still some nice delivery on here, and a 70's type beat bouncing behind the vocals make it a hot track.

$1.25

Wordly Ways - This is another track where Slim reflects on his life, and thinks about the ways of the world. Its a nice track lyrically, but is missing that certain something to make me listen to it for more than a couple of times.

$1.75

On Tha Grind – These beat with the synthesized horns in the background is pretty hot, and this is what brings this track a bit over the mediocricty level. Otherwise, there is nothing really remarkable about this one.

$.75

How Much Can I – Well, I knew there would be a track that I just thought no right to be on this cd. Here it is. This song is a laid back singing-esque track where Skinny tells about how much he can smoke. A dumb/weak song on a rather smart cd.

$.05

Piece of the Pie – What does everyone want? A piece of the pie. This song is a little more simplistic than the  majority of the other tracks on this lp, yet it is still addictive. A repetive beat with a hard repetitive hook make this a niec way to close off an excellent album.

$1.25

I must say that I am shocked as to how good this album is. After hearing his first two singles, I was getting a little skeptical as to what the Outkast have gotten themselves into. They are known for songs that not only entertain, but give some food for thought to the brain. Luckily for Calhoun, he does the same and fits right in with the duo. He doesn't slap on the messages as thick as Outkast, but they are there and give him a more intelligent and unique style of rapping. If you are a hip hop fan, and you're tired of the pointless garbage that spews from New Orleans, or you're not quite feeling the singing style of Nelly...then the traditional brother from the ATL will be glad to soothe your Hip hop needs. "The Skinny" is that this album is worth the price of admission, and then some.

Album worth: $25.10

Album price: $14.49


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