Boasting about one-night stands with taken women, walking the streets armed, smacking up haters - these aren't the kinds of things you expect to hear from a member of Oakland underground crew Hieroglyphics. But they are talking points on Casual's 1994 Fear Itself, an impressive debut filled with aggressively slick lyricism that holds its own against -- and often trumps -- better-known Hiero albums like Souls Of Mischief's '93 'til Infinity (Jive, 1993). Hiero often wanted to prove how much smarter they were than other rappers -- Casual knows better. The smartest guy in the room never says so. - Vibe Magazine (August, 2008) For context, this article was released in 2008, because it was listed by Vibe as one of the 24 "Lost Rap Classics." Where do you rank Casual's Fear Itself - is it a lost classic? Either way, revisit the album below, with production from Domino, Del The Funkee Homosapien, Casual, Jay-Biz and features from A-Plus, Saafir, Del, and Pep Love.
Vibe Magazine's album review for Casual's Fear Itself...
