After years of paying dues and building a rep as one of the best freestylers in New York, Kurious finally gets the opportunity to correctly represent with a full-length LP. True hip-hop heads will no doubt remember Kurious from last winter's "Walk Like A Duck," probably one of the most slept on singles in recent memory. This time around Kurious hits the streets with a number of definite underground hits. "Spell It With A J" is a wicked freestyle (packed with clever metaphors and similes) over a fat Beatnuts track. And whether he's hangin' with Psycho Les and holding his crotch 'cause he's "Top Notch" or utilizing a dope Q-Tip sample on "Baby Bust It (featuring the Grim Reaper)," Kurious rocks the mic like a true MC should. There's even a smoothed-out cut, "I'm Kurious," that could get him some daytime radio play. There is even some East Coast/West Coast unity as Oakland's Hieroglyphics crew gets represented by a guest appearance from Casual on "What's The Real." Production-wise, the Beatnuts hang snug and tight (as usual) allowing the lyrical skills to flow over the tracks like water from fountains. But there is also some solid work done by SD50's Pete and Rich and Bosco Money. Rap purists and fans of bugged-out freestyle shouldn't hit the snooze button on this one. - The Source (February, 1994). A slept-on GEM of an LP! Unfortunately it's still not available on streaming platforms, so enjoy this samples mix from VinRican...
Original album review in The Source + Stickers...
