Just when you thought it was safe to cop some attitude, roll out the same ol' beats and rhymes, sign a record deal and start counting your money, along comes Kwest Tha Madd Lad with This Is My First Album. That's right, no pseudo gothic lettering, no dramatic conquer-the-world symbolism, no bullshit. Just a bunch of well-paced, much-needed humor and humility. Kwest is a throwback to a long gone era in hip-hop, when raps were as much about straight storytelling and making folks laugh as they were about braggadocio and bombast. His rhymes are infused with fun-lovin' spontaneity, clever lyrical calisthenics and smile-in-spite-of-yourself tales. But his quick mind, and quicker tongue, are most often reserved for one thing -- punany. There's no other way to say it. So Kwest does, again and again... Admittedly, there's nothing new to rapping about hittin' skins, and at times Kwest's racy rants grow monotonous. But he usually comes off like a dirty little kid shrugging his shoulders and running for cover. You want to wash his mouth with soap, but you're laughing too damn hard to catch him. "I Met My Baby At V.I.M." is so bad it's good, and its one-of-a-kind sample of the early '80s tag line for a famed New York area clothing store is priceless. Other tracks that highlight Kwest's range include "Herman's Head," which speaks to the ravages of crack, and "Blase Blah," a ferocious, off tha head soliloquy that leaves one reeling. The production is equally diverse, intelligent and straight up fun. It's subdued and sparse, sprinkled with funky beats that complement Kwest's rhymes perfectly. - The Source, 3 Mics (June, 1996). Listen to the deluxe version below...
Original sticker and full album review in The Source...
