"It's Nothing" was produced by Memo of The Molemen. No bullsh*t, no intro. Sahdeeq just comes in quick and starts things off with the hook. "What you say, what you think - means nothing to me - what you own, what you drive - Means nothing to me - Where you live, what you sell - means nothing to me -What you spit, who you wit - means nothing to me.." The beat starts of somewhat thin as it pounds along for the opening hook but as soon as the first verse comes in, the true track arrives. The sinister orchestra sound fills the track. Sahdeeq rhymes about how he is above all the petty materialism that is flooding the hip hop nation. "...While you n*ggas feed ya greed, I feed my seeds / Feed you raw lyrics as the track proceeds /  While my son popped out, it gave me more strength / I'm down for the distance / You people make no sense / And my most common thought, you haters can suck d*ck / Fake friends can eat sh*t / I'm the best kept secret / Don't get it twisted like Twizzlers / I'm taking them out of business / I'm making it my business - to dead your team / Dead your cream / Dead your dreams of seeing me / Even in 3-D / With 2 lenses, red and green..." S Double comes right out and says what is important to him. His family and his love for hip hop means everything to him and not the jewels around some other's emcees neck  This is a good example of the attitude in this album. It's a cool song that sets the mood and sets things straight.

"Bubblin Skit" is a useless skit that just sets up the next song. They say the world "bubblin'" in almost every sentence. It's short enough so it doesn't get annoying.

"Bubblin'", produced by Tahir of Hedrush (who also produced much of Dead Prez's "Let's Get Free") is the lead single. This is an obvious commercial track but it does hold a street credibility to it. In the beginning, S Double says that the song is for the "people in the street". Tahir has a nice spanish guitar gliding over the bouncing beat that is filled with handclaps and percussion that literally has a "bubbling" sound to it. Sahdeeq flexes his skills and is very aggressive over a more dance friendly beat: "...I make moves like a chess game / Don't care what you think / don't care what you hold / don't care what you own / You're style's old / You fold - like cash / Crumble - like hash / Dangerous like the Ave / And brolic like a Nav / I pick checks to stab while you fools get nabbed / Guzzle Remi / Vinny Chinny smash many and any / You cats are silly willies / Take your chilly trinkets / Snatch your silly hoes / They low in our bungalows..." He truly goes off.. on and on.  He's got tons of energy and the track is made to get the listener amped. As a hard-core hip hop lover, this is not "amped" as in violent. M.O.P. would do that. This is more "amped" like getting ready for a wild night. The chanted hook has a melody that is somewhat close to singing. "... We keep it bubbling, bubbling, bubbling - you know - I know - We gonna keep sh*t bubbling.." The third verse is just as strong as the others. Sahdeeq simply does not quit. S Double rocks the third verse: "...Duke, you soup like lentils, I twist and bend you / Recommend you, go back to them niggas that sent you/ I'm insulted, you niggas wanna test my gangsta / Like Sahdeeq won't rock, like Sahdeeq straight prankster /  But I got nothin to prove, I got nothin to lose / This is Ill Street Blues stupid, take that snooze /I'm S-Double, motherfuckers as live as it gets / I'll splash ya clique, got ya chick exposing her tits / Get a spoon and a bowl, cuz I'm feedin you shit / So pay homage, put a bag on ya head cuz you straight garbage / It's a wrap, I'll snatch you breath like an asthma / Collapse you lungs when words get slung like G-Pecks / I mean that, ain't no hidden message between that /Guillotine raps, for them fake-ass tough cats / We get dough, spend dough, never bluff and pretend do' / No procrastinating, keeps it percolating....." This is a strong party joint that is unique and not very typical from party joints played heavily on the radio. The uniqueness is due not only to the innovative and fun "bubbling sounds" in Tahir's beat but in the energy and humur of Sahdeeq's flow and lyrics. Although it's not the most hardcore single (or track on the album), it is definitely not weak at all.

"We Are" featuring Bronze K and Drift, was produced by Memo of The Molemen. Now this is a hard track. The violin loop has a piercing quality to it and so do the beats. It's a very hard track. "When your soul starts to rise, I'ma pop at the clouds.." Sahdeeq steals the song with the last verse but these two emcees before him are hardcore. The hook has both a melodic feel and a grimey sound at the same time. The first part is sung and the second part is chanted. It's not only hypnotic but sinister. "...We are - the type of cats that be swerving in and out of the lanes - We are - The type of cats that be in your hallway all day like.. - the type of n*ggas that will rock with you even if it's life or death - We are - the type of n*ggas that will hold you down at your final breath..." The song is about who these people are and they are not to be messed with. All 3 emcees are hungry. Their lyrics are not unique and hard but they have a strong delivery that is on point and never off beat. Sahdeeq kills it with the final verse: "Under pressure, I turn coals to diamonds / Priceless works / Pass with a smirk / Stick you n*ggas handling work / Change clothes like I change flows / And zip codes / Chameleon / Adapt to any strip I'm standing on..." At first, I thought this was just a generic track but it's truly dope. It's good that it was towards the beginning of the album because it's hard and it kind of like an introduction to the true personality of the record. It's one of the best tracks on the album.

"Bring The Ruckus Skit" basically just sets up the next track. S Double gets pissed off when people start asking him about Rawkus. This cat's mad. This does serve a purpose in leading into the next song and is not useless like most skits.

"Straight Like That", produced by Memo of The Molemen, is a cold hearted diss track towards Rawkus records. The beat is just as sinister and hypnotic as the previous track but Sahdeeq is truly angry and feels betrayed. He names names and everything.  "Try to play me? Look at the monster ya'll made / F*ck Rawkus, I'm sharper than any razor blade.."  He even calls out the owner's names along with the street team. The hook is chanted with an intense energy and anger: "...Straight like that -  I'm a tell the world you wack  - straight like that - why don't you take that knife out my back - Straight like that - I'ma smack you with the back of the gat -Straight like that - You blasting me, I blast back!..." S Double leaves no stone unturned and never seems to be tired. This anger fuels him and makes for an excellent diss track. I know Freddie Foxxx dissed a whole bunch of labels and label execs in "Industry Shakedown" but I think that this is the first time one emcee completely disses a whole record label without leaving one person out. He even takes time out to say a little something about Mos Def and Talib Kweli:  ".. I got the fever baby, I'm hot and sweaty /  I bring the drama to you fake ass bookstore revolutionaries.." For those who don't know, Talib Kweli and Mos Def saved an Africian American bookstore from Bankruptcy... but I think it went bankrupt eventually anyway. S Double continues to break down who he is still cool with and who he isn't cool with. S Double rhymes: "..And Pharoahe, you my n*gga, but ya manager is a straight b*tch, Omega, traitor / push ya down an escalator..." The fact that he is still cool with Monch is a good thing because I loved the song "WWIII" of "Soundbombing II". They should get together and do a song again. The anger continues: "...This for Arnold, Jason and Die-Low / all you die-hard Rawkus fans just don't know/ The label is obsolete, I'll bomb ya fleet / Move discrete / Soft the chart for a couple of weeks / Didn't let my sh*t bumb? Y'all n*ggas are chumps / So like camelbacks, I'm leaving your dome with 2 lumps / You get rained on, better yet, pissed on / (this) n*gga is  pissed off / Jew boys ripping me off .." This song is opening people's eyes towards Rawkus records. I cannot front and say that I was a big fan of the label. I also cannot front and say that their last couple of releases are as good as the older stuff. I talked to Sahdeeq personally and his anger does seem justified... but damn, this is vicious.  

"Big Vinnie Skit" is a funny interlude about record label politics and promises that are made. "I wanna have f*cking people in Egypt listening to Shabaam Sahdeeq!.." This some funny stuff.

"That's How We Do" was produced by O-Negative and is a slow/mid-tempo track that bounces along with a somewhat cartoon sound. Still, there's nothing cartoonish about Sahdeeq's hungry delivery and rhymes. The hunger of the diss track before still exists here. Sahdeeq has another half-sung, half-chanted hook that sounds like a big crowd is singing/chanting along: "...That's how we do - that's how we do.." This would probably be a cool song live because the audience can participate with the he simple yet effective chorus. On the second verse, Sahdeeq rips the mic again: "...I'm holding an ace / Holding my place / Holding an eight / Raw! - for them n*ggas who crack like sidewalks / Money talks! / You'll be on a vacation with Mr. Rwoke / On Fantasy Ass that's why we stay pounding you out / I'm out for the gold , out for the plat. / Out for the map / I'm taking it over / With a black holster strapped to the shoulder / Watch your step, quiet as kept / F*ck your rep / I'm leaving em' wet like Seals and snatching your mills..." He continues about how he gets down at parties and clubs. There's a little story about an interaction with females. This is a dope song because the chorus is very fun but Sahdeeq's rhymes are very rough and rugged. There's a nice balance.

"Can' t Be Together", produced by Face, is a much more sensitive and poignant song about a failed relationship. The honesty is very refreshing. This is not a song about how big his 'member' is or how many women he gets. He goes into detail and is very introspective about a relationship. It's a very easy song to listen to and get into because most of us have been in a similar position. The beat is soft and gentle enough but too sappy. The acoustic guitar is a nice effect which brings a serious and somewhat precious atmosphere to the track. The beat is perfect for the sentiments of the song. This is a great example of the beats and rhymes working perfectly together with the subject matter. Sahdeeq begins to tell his tale: "...I thought we had a love jones like Lorenz Tate and Nia Log / But I was quite wrong / It started off sweet but got spoiled / It's funny how this whole sh*t got boiled down / I would have never macked to you if I knew what I knew now / A straight witch with courageous hips / The sex good, attitude foul / I should have known then / But I've seen something in your eyes / The challenge of taming that ass had me open wide / My mans told me that I shouldn't sweat you cause of the way that I met you / It was a conflict of interest / And you were 19 / Very immature in the brain / And I was already past that stage - years ago / But I was walking through the course with a blindfold / Realistically should have known that you were just a scandalous hoe / Scheme on your daughter Misses Este Lauder / She's a very hot dish, I had to put in my order / And maybe I could get a bellyfull / I got pull / Like  little kids on Mom's sweater / But it all turned out to be a big fiasco indeed / Now she's playing lots of games with my seed / What could it be?..." Sahdeeq's verses are very easy to listen to even though there is the underlying anger and frustration from the failed relationship. Like "Straight Like That", the bitterness is there but there was love in this. It is evident in the verses that he was emotionally burned. The hook is sung and actually sounds very soft and pretty without sounding corny or commercial: "...How can I say that I'm sorry ?  - When I still have so much here in my heart - Said I'd be there for you when you're there for me - But my loving is what ripped us apart - Now we can't be together..." The honest emotion of the song along with the energy and determination wins the listener over. Lyrically, he breaks down the situations and you can't help but feel for him. The beat with the poignant sounding acoustic guitar is perfect for the sentiments of the track. This is a great track that will probably be overlooked due to the sung hook.\

"We Holden'", produced by Mark Walsh, is an incredible track. It starts off with this wild sound effect that sounds like a corss between a lion roar and a motorcycle. The upbeat track just gets you amped and there's even an electric guitar distortion sample that ascends over the track. The beat is saturated with these wild sound effects. Sahdeeq told me that Mark Walsh was this "white long haired Rock And Roll looking dude from around Paterson, N.J." This track is incredible and Sahdeeq kills the microphone. He starts the track off with an intense energy: "...I'm a winner! / Trust and believe when I tell you dog / Success is my b*tch and I'ma f*ck her raw / And even die from disease (or my kiss she'll ball?) / I spit styles, ill styles, never heard before / I'm sick, like a fiend without a hit of that dope / Cough up some ill sh*t that you want to toke / Never front on no tough guy sh*t but I smack herbs / Extradite your link, lover and iceberg / Slang superb! /  Spew words, Splash nerves! / Push cars to hug the turns when tires burn / For my BK n*ggas, NJ n*ggas / All day, outdoor, doe or die n*ggas / N*ggas give me no pounds / I don't need your love / I don't need your fake ass smiles or your fake ass hugs / All I need is cash to fold / Erb to smoke / Stocks and bonds / 'Nuff equities and homes..." S Double is hungry. His flow, delivery and lyrics make that quite evident.  The hook is layered. There's one part sung and there's one part chanted in the background. First, Sahdeeq rocks the hook: "We holding! - We done made it happen! - We done made it happen! - We done made it happen!..." Second, in the background, he chants "We make it happen - no doubt - we make it happen. We make it happen  - no doubt.." This was the b-side to "Bubblin" but Sahdeeq even wishes that he made this the a-side. The beat is just incredible. It instantly gets the head nodding and the hypnotizes with the rhythm. Sahdeeq's verses are also dope. He's hungry and filled with this incredible zeal. This is my favorite track on the album.

"Who's At My Door?", featuring Tahir and Kia Jackson, was also produced by Tahir of Hedrush. This is a song about urban paranoia. Some may say that it is in the same vein as "Mind Playing Tricks On Me" by The Geto Boys. The beat is weird and wild. It's not typical Tahir/Dead Prez sounding at all. This is a great display of Tahir's versatility as a producer. Also, this displays Sahdeeq's versatility as a lyricist. "Who's at my door? / Banging at like six in the morn / Could it be my girl when I got this next chick in her drawers? / By the couch, on the floor, I got a pound of raw - In a bowl / And if they bust in the door, I caught holding / Banging some more / Yeah, I kind of know it's the law / Coming to serve that warrant the way they got me before / I know they smell the purple haze smoke from under the door / Told shorty to keep it quiet / I tried to flush the raw.." Sahdeeq goes through a mental list of people after him or people who just could be knocking. Everyone from the landlady to the neighbors to cops to enemy drug dealers. Kia Jackson sings the hook: "Who's that at my door? - Oooooooooh - Who's that at my door? -Oooh oooooh oooh oooh" The vocal stylings are actually quite interesting and unique without being annoying. Tahir flips a quick verse that is decent but not as dope or colorful as Sahdeeq's verses. Tahir's true contribution is the beat. There's even door sound effects along with a thick electric bass line. The tambourine beat along with the snares gives it a nice touch along with the nice guitar/harp sounds. This is a creative track that may catch some people off-gaurd. It's better than filler but not mind-blowing.

"Party Skit" is short skit that does do a decent job setting up the next song. Personally, I don't think it should have been a separate track. It should have been hidden after the previous song or before the next one.  It's basically 2 people talking about getting ready and getting amped for a party that they are going to.

"Tonight", produced by Face, is an incredibly fast and short track where Sahdeeq rhymes with a vicious energy over 110 Beats Per Minute. This is dope! The organ in it thick and quick and so are the pounding rhythms. Sahdeeq quickly sets the track off: "...We never come up short / we drop the hits / Born to spit / Y'all better warn the kids / We out to stop all that boring crap / We out to sweep all y'all off the map / Y'all weak like baby arms, can't hold the gat / I'm 'pose to rap / Straight East coast connect / No frozen necks / Doo rags and baggy sweats / Jordon kicks / Don't slip, I'll snatch your chick / Pull off - in the Cherokee / Your chick with me / Outta state / Believe me, I'ma stuff her face / you soft like cake / (you) talk loud and run to jake / What does it take? -To let you know I'm one of a kind / Sinister sounds / Watch how the kid gets down / I'm here to stay / Got free like Amistad / See through your facade / See that you trying be hard / While I strike your b*tch with the lightening rod / She's back for more / Like crack heads banging my door / Scratching the wall / Your crew- bound to fall / I'm on my job / Make it clear to y'all / I got no care / No fear for y'all / Numerous bars that'll leave numerous scars / Numerous cars that'll bring numerous peeps / Stomp your street, stomp your fleet / You can't compete / S double break the beat / Who want beef? ..." He just rips the mic. It's a dope freestyle-like track that has enormous energy and power. The hook is chanted towards the end: "... We gonna tare sh*t down tonight - We gonna bag some chicks - Get laid tonight - We gonna get some green and choke tonight - We gonna get some drinks - Get drunk tonight...." Just when you think it's over and there's not much left in the song, he flips another verse. This is a hardcore underground party track that is extremely fast and has an old school feel. It literally pumps and can get anyone amped up.  Too bad it's so short but that leaves me wanted more of it. It actually fades out in the middle of the rapping. There's nothing corny about it. It's one of the best tracks on the album.

"I Still Love Her", features vocals by The Honerable, and was produced by  Tahir of Hedrush. This is a nice continuation of "I Used To Love H.E.R." by Common (Sense). Sahdeeq pointed out in an interview that Common "used" to love her but he "still" loves her. This is another Tahir track that shows his versatility. Sahdeeq also is very versatile using a woman as a metaphor for hip hop. He's doing different and creative things with his songs. He's not just battling or selling drugs. It makes the album flow nice and it is refreshing. Tahir's beat hits hard while maintaining the poignant sentiments of the track. The light organ is a nice effect too. The beat actually sounds very early 90's and old school. It's incredible. It instantly grabs the listener. The balance of the beat and the emcee is found on this track too. Sahdeeq's verse does the same. His energy, lyrics and delivery automatically grab the listener from the first verse and on: "...Common said 'I used to love her' but I love her still! / She got a couple of my peoples a house on the hill / And when I'm in the club, she all I wanna hear / My crew all here, smell that 'dro in the air / And it been that way for about 15 years / She took me through pain, sweat, and lots of tears / she change like a chameleon / One week she got her head wrapped / Next week, she got Prada on / She took n*ggas out the hood, got em' eating good / Got em' eating good, got em' feeling good / Got em' living good / The first time I met her, she came through the door with Rakim / she had me doing the wop hoping that feeling won't stop / Sometimes I caught her on the conscience tip / but most time, she want to yap about diamonds and whips / but she universal / She got all that wit her / Loving her body, I couldn't wait to hit her / I would've had to get her in my clutch and thrust / Cuz I love the lust and lust the love / That's how I feel / She's international / Shores can't hold her / Sometimes, she be in the hands of fake promoters..." There's a passion behind Sahdeeq's voice along with a hunger and a firm belief. He truly does love hip hop and the hook expresses that fact. Sahdeeq actually sings the hook in a half-sung half-chanted style: "...That's why I love you - Hip-hop - I don't know what you do to me but I love you - I've heard some say they lost careers bbutt all I know is I love you - Hip-hop - I don't know what you do to me but I love you  - That's hip hop, hip hop, hip hop, hip hop...." The hook works well because it's it's not sung in an RnB voice but not just chanted. The passion and sincerity behind it makes it all worth the listen. There's a precious melody to the hook. In the second verse, Sahdeeq delves deeper into the lady of hip hop: "...She took me around the world / Explored the globe / She took me through highs and lows, that's all I know / She ride in the whip with me on full blast / I love it when she boosts that bass, that fat ass / She flirts with guitar strings, pianos and things / (I've) been hitting her for years, not a one night fling / She be in the west with Snoop, the east with Jay / In the south with Ludicris / The mid-west with Nelly / And the studio, the tele where I bust on her belly / even though she a ho', I'm a pimp for sho' / She got alotta n*ggas p*ssy whipped / A lotta kids brainwashed running around with pistols and sh*t / Pac died in 96 straight freaking that chick / Big went to heaven in 97, loving that chick / And I spend a lot of time with her, in my room, alone / Blaze het back to back like I be doing dem stoves..." It's a perfect song! the third verse is incredible due to both the lyrics and the delivery. Sahdeeq truly raises the energy and the passion for a mind-blowing third verse to end the song. In a past interview, Sahdeeq said this is his favorite song on the album and I can see why. this is right up there with Common's "I Used To Love H.E.R." and the "Act Too (Love Of My Life)" by The Roots. This is a beautiful and emotional track that uses the metaphor in a very intelligent way. This is one of the best tracks on the album.

"You Need 2 Give It Up", features Brahma Bull, and was produced by Xtreme (who produced "Who's Next" by Dmx from DJ Clue's "The Professional Part 2"). This track has an extremely dope and complicated violin sample that  just glides along. First, the melody ascends with a somewhat middle-eastern feel but then, it descends into a more sinister feel. It's hypnotic and addictive. The hook is half-chanted, half sung by S Double: "...You need to give it up - Your crew can't f*ck with us - You know we gets it crunk - We headed for number one..." The hook matches the melody of the violins. Here, the melody overpowers the hook. Even though the lyrics for the hook are nothing special, the melody and the verses are. S Double kicks the track off: "....I takes off like a leer jet / Incredibly wet - off the Remi / Uptow! Saturday night draped in Fendi / Ain't worried about anybody, got the block n*ggas with me / And the spitfire semi / Grace of God right behind me / Find me / Blazing that Chron' with a 'slam mommy, fine body / and you with Gotti / Pull up beside me in a widebody / Behind the - suburban with seven hotties / talking about some parties / Sponsored by Bacardi..." Lyrically, this is more a party track and a 'mack-out' track. Brahma Bull does not have the dexterity of delivery that S Double has but his lyrics (on this song) are much more grimey and raw. Brahma Bull rhymes as he takes the second verse:  "...Picture me soft on a b*tch / All I got is hard d*ck / And bubblegum flavored rubbers / That's for blowing bubbles / Here come Brahma, n*ggas know they in trouble / Dunns scheme at the bar to put the beams on my car / Cuz I'm often caught up inside the scenes with their broads /  Unbuckling sh*t / Shorty don't be needing a bra..." Of course, Sahdeeq is a better emcee but Brahma adds a gritty and raw feel to the otherwise more commercial feeling track. Though this is not one of the better tracks on the album, the beat is very dope.

"Watch Ya Back! (Mambo)", produced by Xtreme, is a ghetto tale of a small-time hustler. Here, Sahdeeq displays his strong storytelling skills. He literally paints a vivid picture of ghetto streetllife. The beat is great due to the melody of the orchestra / violin loop. It's very drowning and hypnotic as the electric snares chug along. S Double tells his gritty tale: "..Never thought it would go down like this. / He got hit / Coming from seeing that girl from Cypress / I wonder if she set him up to get stuck / For jewels and the 3 pounds of weed in the truck / One shot (bloaw!) / Just to warn this n*gga! / To hand it all over or you just a goner n*gga! / But he ain't having that / Pick the right opportunity / Then he grabbing at / His name Mambo / Small time street hustler / Street tustler, muscular / Loud talking, rowdy n*gga / They gone have to shoot this man / Cuz I've seen him beat 3 cops with his bare hands / He already took four shots back in 94 / Playing ball with no heart with that n*gga Bart / And now all eyes on him / Cuz he inherit the block / Jewels rock / Speed through the hood slinging cock to all these young slime honnies / Pretty, long money / Now n*ggas want to see if they can get a piece / Nature of the beast - when hunger and power combine / They took the Calico and put it straight to his mind / And of course, he goes for it / He grabbed duke's hand / No he wrestling for the gun / It let one go / Mambo caught it in the hip, but he still ain't lose grip / The other cat from behind / Started to pistol whip / With his last bit of strength, Mambo threw that kid / another flew out / right to his crotch / All the tussling came to a f*cking stop / He fell to the floor / They took the jewels and the truck / Ran out of luck, now he look straight to the sky / Wondering why - he ever left his crib in Bed-stuy / To check that grimey ass b*tch / taste the blood on her lips / Trapped this n*gga with her hips, got him shot and pistol whipped / Blood stained the concrete / Life on the street / You can floss but hungry n*ggas got to eat..." The story is not only realistic but vivid. Sahdeeq brings a very hard edge to his album with this track. The beat as well as the lyrics to the story all contribute to the raw reality of ghetto life. The hook is chanted: "...Watch your back! The streets iz grimey now - No matter who you are,  you can get laid down - Once the word get around that you sitting on doe, you better  be ready to let slugs go. - What you thought? - Watch your back!.." This is a great song that will probably be overlooked. Sahdeeq's story telling talents are well defined and tight. He should do more songs where he tells stories because this is a good story telling track.

"Fed Up With The Bull", featuring The Honorable, was produced by O-Negative. This track is weird and wild and has some dope scratching in it. The hook is all sampled scratches that work well. The beat has a thick piano melody along with a some low orchestra-loops in the background. The hook is completely scratched and very dope: "Fed up with the bull! - I'm stressed - this sh*t here must stop! - Fed up with the bull!..." The Honorable kicks the first verse and has some cool lines but Sahdeeq steals the show. The Honorable has some lines like : "N*ggas think it's all about ice / Never know when a n*gga will live to see the next night / Cuz it's over / I'd rather die high than sober / F*cking close range like the Rover / Keep a level head / Verse one to a closure..." I have to admit that I do like how he ends the first verse. Sahdeeq rocks the second verse with his usual vervacious energy: "...This summer's the fever / I can smell trouble in air / Blood drip like tears every time you lose a peer / And if we got to light sh*t up, we will / But jail is real / Spend a quarter of your life barred down in a box..." Sahdeeq completely steals the track. I wish more of the album had some of these dope scratched hooks but at least it has this one. This is cool track and the scratched hook makes it even better.

"Keep Keepin' On", featuring The Honorable, was produced by Memo of The Molemen. This is a very positive track to end the album. It's very inspirational as it becomes a positive anthem of achievement and survival. The beat pounds along with an ease fluidity similar to "I Still Love Her". It's a certified head-nodding track. The keyboard melody is just odd enough to be unique but groovy enough to feel. Sahdeeq displays his strength and determination with his first verse: "....For life! /  I live what I spit / I spit what I live / Believe in God / He going to deliver me just in time / When I rhyme, I travel galaxies / Water speed with the time / Light years with the rhyme / I got to get mine / Yeah! / And I've been everywhere / Around the world and back again / And ain't no street or town that would never trap me down again / And I've been at the peak and then, came down again / And everything I've done, I could do it again! / And if the papers lag, we catch em' like freeze tag / Stick em' for that work or catch em' for that coach bag / I know it sounds bad but damn, we got to eat / And the pressure of life got me slumped down in the seat with heat / While them crabs in a barrell try to bring us down / They don't want to see us rise, they got hate in their eyes /  With our names on their tongues like they knew us for years / Like they've been there through the pain, sweat and tears..."  It's evident in Sahdeeq's voice that his lyrics are coming from his heart. There's a true and strong passion behind each word and phrase. The hook is chanted by Sahdeeq: ".. I want y'all to keep moving - Keep living your life and keep working - Keep hustling hard and keep striving -  Keep holding it down and surviving - Keep raising your kids and keep vibing - Keep making that music and keep riding - Keep being yourself and no hiding - Cuz the real sh*t is what we're providiingg...." It truly is a positive anthem that maintains it's street credibility while it inspires you to go out there and achieve your goals. It's a perfect way to end the album.
 
The BEATS on the album display the delicate balance of commercial and underground music. Although this is all underground and independent music, the beats are hard enough to be hardcore but not too grimey to gain universal or commercial appeal. The best beats are "We Holden" (produced by Mark Walsh) and "I Still Love Her" (produced by Tahir). Those 2 tracks represent the dopeness of the album. They have that mid-90's groove and fluidity to the rhythm yet they still possess the 2000 sound. "We Holden'" has a beat that instantly grabs the listener and will have their head in an involuntary nod. Even the more commercial sounds like "Bubblin" has dope qualities to them. Some beats are overshadowed by S Double's performance. "It's Nothing", "Can't Be Together" and "Who's At My Door" are the only songs where the beats take a backseat to Sahdeeq. A wonderful thing about the beats on this album is the diversity. The commercial glaze of "Bubblin" and "Can't Be Together" is balanced out by the hardcore and grimey sound of "Watch Your Back (Mambo)" and "Straight Like That". Even speed-wise, there is variation in the beats on the album. "Tonight" is incredibly fast while "Fed Up With The Bull" and "That's How We Do" is like slow chugging freight train. As for the rest of the album, the beats have that strong, independent, and underground sound.

The PRODUCTION of the album varies from dope to decent. The dope production is handles by Mark Walsh ("We Holden"), Tahir ("I Still Love Her", "Bubblin", etc.). Some of the weaker production makes the album 'sound' independent. The sound quality and mix is all tight but something like "Fed Up With The Bull" and "Keep Keepin On" has more of a less expensive sound. This "expensive" sound is demonstrated on the 'expensive' sounding glossy cuts like "Bubblin'" and "Tonight". Tahir shows incredible variation and quality. While his commercial sounding "Bubblin" is filled with nice spanish guitars, he also has a more underground and East-Coast mid-90's sound in "I Still Love Her".  Then, Tahir produces an odd and somewhat weaker beat in "Who's At My Door". The fake electric sounding baseline and tambourine sound does sounds more cheap than experimental. Overall, Tahir does an excellent job minus a very few setbacks. The scratching of "Fed Up With The Bull" does not have that precise and sharp quality that Premier, Pete Rock or Babu (of Dilated Peoples) have. Since "Fed Up..." is the only song on the album with scratching, it begs to be dissected. It's a shame because Sahdeeq rocked many beats with scratched with early Polyrhythm Addicts tracks and other tracks on Rawkus Records. This one does not possess the same quality. It's still decent but it's not up there. Overall, this sounds like an very well independent produced album which is a good showcase for unknowns and up and coming producers. Mark Walsh and Tahir truly drive the dopeness in the production aspect of the album. Where many independent albums sound extremely cheap, others sound like the money was well spent. Jeru The Damaja's "Heroz 4 Hire" is an example of cheap sounding production while "Disposable Arts" by Masta Ace sounds like an indie-LP where the budget was spent well. This is right under Masta Ace's level. Here, Sahdeeq steals the show over the production on most of the album but sometimes, the production of Tahir and Mark Walsh grab you.

The LYRICS of Shabaam Sahdeeq are unique enough to stick out from other emcees while they are universal enough to be apart of the underground hardcore hip hop world.  He's trying to stand out while being apart of the hip hop nation and he succeeds. He finds that balance. While many popular emcees like Jay-Z, Cash Money Millionaires, Fabulous, etc. rhyme about money and jewels and ice, that materialism means "nothing" to him. "It's Nothing" is a strong statement to kick the album off. It sets Sahdeeq apart from the typical mainstream emcee. Still, his lyrics hold the typical ghetto street themes in "Watch Ya Back (Mambo)" while having a party joints like "Bubblin'" and "Tonight". This versatility is an important aspect to his craft and this album. There are no just plain generic battling song and that's a good thing. Every song has it's purpose and separate theme. "Straight Like That" is a diss towards Rawkus while "I Still Love Her" is taking Common's metaphor for a woman named hip hop even further. "Keep Keepin' On" is an anthem of positivity while "Can't Be Together" is about failed relationships. There are many different sides to this album and many different sides to S Double. The only somewhat generic tracks are "That's How We Do" and "You Need 2 Give It Up". The later can be considered a battle track. Sahdeeq's lyrical dexterity is shown in "I Still Love Her". This song is incredible and it should make Common proud.  Even though "Straight Like That" is extremely bitter and harsh, I have to respect the emcee for not holding back. The street and ghetto life comes into play with "Keep Keepin' On", "Watch Your Back". "We R" and "Who's At My Door?". By balancing these tracks with more sensitive tracks like "Can't Be Together, Sahdeeq displays to us that he has his ear to the street with a strong grasp in his own family and friends. I would not go to say that he is a 'wordsmith' but he maintains focus, gets his point across and never bores. He's a dope underground emcee.

The CREATIVITY and ORIGINALITY is an important aspect to the LP. It's not too out-there or too metaphorical. It's a basic hardcore underground LP but every song has a specific theme and meaning. Of course, some are more serious than others but none of them are silly or wack. Lyrically, "Who's That At My Door" and "I Still Love Her" are the most creative tracks. "Who's At My Door?" does have a weaker beat and a just decent hook but S Double's verses are not only humorous but enlighten us to the world of ghetto paranoia. "I Still Love Her" is his version of Common's "I Still Love H.E.R.". Some may see this as a diss or not creative while others do. I think it depends on how it was executed. I think Sahdeeq did an excellent job on the track. In interviews, he respects Common and loves his song but wanted to continue on the subject. Saheeq brings enough freshness to it to make the song very interesting and emotional. Wheras the Common song focuses on the hip hop as a woman and her travels, Sahdeeq seems to get more personal as he deals with how the lady of hip hop truly changed his life. He could have done the same thing Common did but he chose to do something original. S Double's originality shines in other songs too. "It's Nothing" is a shining example of originality because he says that all the cars and the jewelry of the next emcee meaning 'nothing' to him. Here, he separates himself from the average or typical rapper and displays himself as a hungry underground hardcore emcee. The only track that does not score a high mark in the creativity or originality level; is "Bubblin'" since it's a somewhat typical attempt at a commercial track. Still, the hunger of his flow and the cool beat makes the track decent. Other tracks like "Watch Ya Back", "That's How We Do",  and "You Need To Give It Up" do hold some of the generic hip hop images and themes but S Double's approach and execution shines new light on old topics.

Versatility is extremely important to the  ALBUM FLOW. On "Never Say Never", Sahdeeq's diverse themes, topics and production styles make the album flow very well. A couple of the songs may be 30 seconds to a minute too long but they do not get boring. All types of ground are covered. The commercial track that actually has substance is "Bubblin'" while the ghetto hustler storytelling track is "Watch Your Back". The Rawkus diss track "Straight Like That" is balanced with a battle track called "You Need To Give It Up". The more sensitive failed relationship track of "We Can't Be Together" is balanced out with the extremely positive anthem "Keep Keeping On'". Even beat-wise and guest-wise, there's versatility. "Tonight" has an extremely fast beat while "Fed Up With The Bull" is this slow, pounding track that uses a scratched hook.  The RnB singing on "Can't Be Together" is balanced out by the much more gritty chanting on "We R". It all comes together to make an album that covers all the bases and finds the delicate balance between underground and mainstream sounds. Though it is more of an underground album, I think the average hip hop head could find something enjoyable due to the versatility of it.

"Never Say Never" has a somewhat high HARDCORE RATING but it's not too high. Although there is talk of selling drugs and hustling, this is not a Mobb Deep record. Although there are verses about failed relationships with a sung hook, this is not an Outkast record. If you think of the hardcore level of Rawkus Records, you may have an idea of the hardcore level of this album. There's enough street themes and gritty pictures of reality but it's balanced out by more creative lyrical endeavors of "Who's At My Door?" and "I Still Love Her". The fact is Sahdeeq is not holding back. "Straight Like That" is a cold and bitter diss track towards his old label which displays his strength in hardcore expression. With all of the industry politics and trends, he can stand on his own because the jewels and cars of the next emcee means "nothing" to him. "Watch Your Back (Mambo)" is a gritty tale which shows that he knows what he's talking about. He literally paints a vivid picture of a ghetto hustler with his lyrics. At the same time, other tracks like "Bubblin" and "Tonight" hold a less hardcore feel. They do have the hardcore energy though. Something like "Can't Be Together" is much softer but you have to respect the man for expressing himself and being honest to himself and to his audience.

Overall, "Never Say Never" is a surprisingly good album. I have to admit that once he lost his deal with Rawkus, I thought it was over for the man but he proved us all wrong. Many times when an emcee falls from a big label to a much smaller label, the results are less than good. The budget for production is never there and basement sounding albums like Jeru The Damaja's "Heroz 4 Hire" is made. Sahdeeq does not fall into this category. He made an independent LP that has some very dope beats, versatility and some dope rhymes. I was not only surprised that the album actually came out, I was surprised that it was as good as it is. He truly proves himself to be a true and hungry underground emcee who has weathered the storm of industry drama. This is an album for anyone who loves underground hardcore hip hop with a human element. Sahdeeq is no super rapper that is untouchable. There's something about him that is like your best friend or a regular guy on the street. It just so happens he can rhyme well. This creates a universal appeal. The versatility of the album makes it flow well displays his talents. As an emcee, he can handle many themes, topics, and styles over a variety of different beats. This is an inspirational album because it was over for the man. Everyone thought (including him probably) that he would "never" be back and be back strong. Well, there's a lesson for us all to "never say never".

Beats: 8.5/10.
Production: 8/10.
Lyrics: 8.75/10.
Creativity/Originality: 8.5/10.
Album Flow: 9.25/10.
Hard-core Rating: 8.5/10.
[ Overall Rating: 8.6 / 10 ]