madtheory's Full Review: My Own Worst Enemy [PA] by Edo G.
Bostoners who appreciate rap should be doubly happy right now. In addition to their Red Sox making it to the World Series, they also get to look forward to the comeback of Edo G, the man who put Boston Hip-Hop on the map.
Though technically Edo G’s “comeback” was his 2001 The Truth Hurts album which came seven years after his last release with Tha Bulldogs, his new LP My Own Worst Enemy is a return of another kind for the artist. Where Truth saw Edo trying to pour his music into the fad mold of gratuitous posse cuts, vacuous club jams, and commercial production by anyone with a Triton, Edo G consciously avoids this trap for this latest LP. Instead he strives to recreate the cherished East Coast golden era vibe by sticking to one producer, time-tested beatmaker Pete Rock, and filling his raps with the no-nonsense big talk and conscious poetics that was that era’s dominant style.
Heads looking for aggressive, no holds barred Hip-Hop need look no further. Edo G starts off deep in Pete Rock’s rich jazz and soul loops on “Boston,” his words splitting the requisite aggrandizing between himself and his beloved Roxbury streets. More venom floods the speakers on “Just Call My Name,” Edo challenging all comers over leisurely blaxspoitation funk. A testament to the elder emcee’s skill, promising young up and comers Krumb Snatcha and Jaysaun stop by on “Stop Dat” and manage to get eaten alive by Edo G’s raw flow. With Rock’s placid soul offsetting the aggression, G rhymes: “restless, reckless, envy that necklace/ that n***a on the guest list, so hungry [he] eats asbestos for breakfast/ and you quick to spark/ you’ll get picked apart on 106th and Park.”
However, like many of the elder emcees who recognize the need for some sort of legitimate responsibility in their music, Edo G simply can’t let go of the mic without tempering his braggadocio with socially and politically aware tracks. For “Voices,” Edo flexes his storytelling chops in describing “real situations” dealing with incarceration, baby momma drama, and corrupt cops. Pete Rock’s production is equally sharp, layering resonant descending bass grooves underneath haunting vocal harmonies. Disquieting guitars and piano tones create the aural backdrop for “Pay the Price,” the rapper’s narratives illustrating the consequences that inexorably result from ill-advised life choices. Then, fresh off his recent near-classic Long Hot Summer, fellow vet Masta Ace joins Edo in yearning for a more ideal society on “Wishing.”
Despite the big names behind the boards for this effort, there are a few tracks that could use some reworking. Pete Rock’s creations on the majority of My Own Worst Enemy are naturally first-rate, but “School ‘Em” flounders a bit from its slightly over-hatcheted keyboard melody. Still, Edo G is able to bring the lyrical heat on this one as he breaks down the artificial nature of the rap industry. Also, Diamond D of the legendary DITC crew should have dug in the crates a little deeper when producing the would-be anthem “Streets Is Callin.’” The emcee/producer goes for a stripped down sound utilizing only a basic drumbeat, a simple melody, and old-school bells, but the attempt only results in an awkward, sluggish bounce.
All things considered, this album is not a bad effort at all. Even outside his prime, Edo G’s rhymes are almost in step with contemporary rappers in terms of style and skill, but with a genuine awareness that many are unwilling or unable to add to their performances. Plus, even though he supplies more of his B-material than fans would like, Pete Rock’s smooth, soul-drenched production brings a welcome balance to Edo G’s tough persona. It’s not one of the comeback near-classics that have surprised heads as of late, but My Own Worst Enemy is a decent throwback to a time when beats and rhymes were king, not marketing and promotion.
Track Listing:
01. Boston
02. Just Call My Name feat Jaysaun
03. Voices
04. School ‘Em
05. Streets Is Callin’ feat. Diamond D and Jaysaun
06. Pay the Price feat. Jaysaun
07. Wishing feat. Masta Ace
08. Right Now! feat. Pete Rock
09. Stop Dat feat. Krumb Snatcha and Jaysaun
10. Revolution
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