Hip Hop Album Reviews: QB’s Finest

December 31st, 2007

In this corner lurk Nas, Mobb Deep, Capone and Noreaga, Nature, Cormega, MC Shan, Tragedy, Roxanne Shante, Marley Marl, Craig G, Big Noyd, Bravehearts, Millennium Thug, and more. What do all these heavyweights have in common? The Bridge, dun.

“QB’s Finest” is more than just a tight compilation, it’s one of the best releases of the year. The fact that all of the talent comes from one project is just incredible. What’s even more phenomenal, is that Nas, the executive producer of the project, could bring all these talents together. “QB’s Finest” takes skillful lyrics, combines them with exceptional production, and leaves the listener wanting nothing but more.

QB beefs have been well documented in the media, such as Nature versus Cormega, or CNN against Tragedy. Thankfully, it seems that the ill feelings are set aside for the sake of the music. On “Da Bridge 2001″, the entire crew busts out and does credit to the old school original. Another classic track that was reworked for the album was NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton”. This time, it’s “Straight Outta QB” and Cormega, Poet, and Nas’s little bro Jungle handle the verbals. It’s definitely thugged-out, and every MC shines on this updated classic. Check out the crazy-ill beat by LES on “Find Ya Wealth.” Matched up with Nas’ dope lyrics, fans of Illmatic won’t be disappointed. Even Nature gets down on one of the few solo joints, “Fire”. Many peeps wondered about the absence of this track from Nate’s cd, For All Seasons. Thankfully, it didn’t go to waste.

The album is not flawless though. “Our Way” by CNN and Iman Thug shows demonstrates someone’s poor judgement. 5 seconds into the song, and Capone is repeatedly urging the audience to “drive drunk to this”. The beat sets in, and the finger instantly compelled to press the fast-forward button. Then there’s “Oochie Wally”, with the Bravehearts, which is getting radio love, yet this one’s only about getting ass and head. The beat makes it slightly annoying, but not as bad as Capone’s ignorant lines on the “Our Way.”

Overall, this is an exceptional album and great effort by the whole QB family. Honestly, with all the cats sprouting out of QB, this could have been a double disc, with some more solo performances. Hopefully this will be the foundation in a long line of QB collective’s. When a whole project of MC’s can come together and make an album like this, it’s straight beautiful.

Buy QB Finest Now!