The Definitive Jux record label has recently exploded in the underground faster than a stampede of hip hop elephants, ready to run over a Ja Rule CD. Featuring its cadre of unknown, yet extremely talented artists and producers, it has been accepted by hordes of hip hop heads all over this nation. Their second label compilation album entitled Definitive Jux Presents... 2, also known as DJXP2, is a nice first look at the label if you didn't know about them yet.

Their original "Volume 1" compilation was released a few years ago when the label was all but a new born baby. El-P's collection of amazing artists was only beginning and he dominated the majority of that album due to the fact that his talent roster was pretty empty. Since then, El-P has signed a plethora of underground artists, mainly from the east coast.

Each artist has his own style to add to the table in Def Jux Presents... 2. Aesop Rock's unique advanced word placement metaphoric flow adds variety, and mixed in with RJD2's dark production and sci-fi beats, Mr. Lif's poetic storytelling, and El-P's hardcore style. Even the newcomers explode on this album with fury, showcasing the Definitive Jux Style.

The Weathermen begin the compilation with their tight track Same As It Never Was. From the start we are hit with an awesome sci-fi-styled instrumental with some weird synthesized effects and chimes. The Weathermen come on here with tight battle raps and each one takes the mic in a frenzy of hip hop awesomeness. This is followed by Dead Pan, one of the few good songs of Aesop Rock's discography outside of his Labor Days album. Those of you familiar with Aesop Rock's style will not be dissapointed here.

Another highlight features my two favorite Jukies (and there aren't many), Mr. Lif and Murs with "Sneak Preview". These are arguably the most popular members of the label, just rhyming. Later on El-P himself teams with Vast Aire to bring us "Dr. Hell No & The Praying Mantis" an uber-intelligent, yet pretentious, track. Also on the album is "Stepfather Factory". Both songs can also be found on El-P's Fantastic Damage album.

Mr. Lif also pops up solo (well almost, Opio is on it) on "Fulcrum" which is a decent song that suffers from weaker production, but is picked up quickly by Lif's nightmarish prophetic lyricism. "Now I'm no historian, but I recall, That ALL, Civilizations fall // We give up our control but we suffer from withdrawal // We learn how to walk now we're too proud to crawl

Then there are the moments on DJXP2 where we see a lot of the lesser known talents shine; sometimes good, sometimes bad. Camu Tao brings his abstract street essense on "Hold the Floor" and is immediately followed by Rob Sonic's average "F.U. for Failure Ugly", then Masai Bey brings "Paper Mache", which winds up being the weakest song on the album, due to it's lack of inspiration and over-use of "creativity", if there was such a thing.

Then there's the cats who seemingly fell off the planet after this release, like Atoms Family's "Mic Molest", which suffers from weaksauce (respectively) and Y@k Balls with "Freak Show", who combines the best and worst of the Insane Clown Posse, with "horrorcore" lyricism, which surprisingly make a listenable song, THIS TIME.

In Conclusion, Definitive Jux Presents... 2 is a great compilation album and a wonderful introduction to the entire Definitive Jux Family. Each artist is showcased and I suggest that if you are new to the Def Jux style, that you pick this album up first before buying any other Def Jux album or single. This compilation defines the very art of the abstract hip hop, at least this version of it. Each member of Def Jux hits hard with this compilation. Fans of Def Jux will probably already have, as for everybody else... ehhh... there's better albums.


Track List & Rating

1. The Weathermen - Same as it Ever Was (****)
2. Aesop Rock - Dead Pan (****)
3. Mr. Lif & Murs - Sneak Preview (*****)
4. Camu Tao - Hold The Floor (****)
5. Rob Sonic - F.U. For Failure Ugly (***)
6. RJD2 - I Really Like Your Def Jux Baby Tee (***)
7. Masai Bey - Paper Mache (**)
8. Mr. Lif f/ Opio - Fulcrum (****)
9. El-P and Vast Aire - Dr. Hell No & The Praying Mantis (****)
10. Atoms Family - Mic Molest (***)
11. Y@k Ballz - Freak Show (****)
12. El-P - Stepfather Factory (*****)


3.5 Stars... Rounded up to 4


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Reading or Studying