Album Review: Cormega-Born And Raised
By
Malice Intended
In the mid 90’s, West Coast Gangsta Rap ruled the airwaves and Billboard charts. Faced with increasing irrelevance, East Coast rappers developed their own form of Gangsta music that chronicled the crack trade and the perils lying therein. The formula proved successful, yielding some truly gifted artists and classic albums. Unfortunately, some of the more credible artists were relegated to “underground” status, receiving high praise in certain circles but never gaining mainstream acceptance.
Cormega has long been one of the unsung heroes of that movement. His latest offering, Born and Raised, continues in the tradition established on his previous releases. The album is rife with tales of the crack game and observations on life in the projects. It is also injected with a sense of remorse and introspection not normally associated with this kind of music.
Things get off to a lively start with the opening track “Prelude/Intro: The Third Coming”, produced by Khrysis & Bear One and featuring Marley Marl. Mega goes rapid fire over a dramatic piano sample supported by thumping boom-bap style drums. It plays like an opening credit sequence and sets up the album nicely.
The album hits its first (and thankfully biggest) stumbling block early on with “Girl” produced by L.E.S. The track is yet another obligatory ode to cocaine done in the form of a love song that characterizes the drug as a beautiful but dangerous mistress. The song is hampered by the laughable production which interpolates elements of “Gina’s and Elvira’s Theme” from Scarface over plodding drums. It comes off as awkward and unintentionally funny.
“Love Your Family” is meditation on the importance of acknowledging and spending time with your loved ones. Producer Havoc provides acoustic guitars and sparse drums that suit the mood of the song while keeping the focus on the lyrics. “Get It In”, produced by the legendary Easy Mo Bee and featuring Lil Fame provides a shot of adrenaline. A rock guitar screeches over a muddy bass line as Fame’s vocals get the blood pumping as only he can.
“The Other Side”, produced by Fizzy Womack, is a true stand out. Soothing saxophone and violins provide an emotional backdrop. The title is self explanatory as each verse explores the less than romantic side of street hustling. “Journey,” produced by Large Professor, is another introspective song, but features ‘Mega sounding more robust and confident. Whimsical violins breeze over a keyboard bass line that carries the listener along at a smooth pace.
The dream-like “Rapture” has a Mega spitting abstract, yet boastful rhymes over a surreal track provided by Ayatolla. The loop consists of soft, high pitch vocals that coast over peaceful violins. It’s effective, and serves to help Cormega’s lyrics further penetrate the psyche. The album closes out with the all star posse cut “Mega Fresh X” produced by Buckwild. The line-up features golden era all-stars Parrish Smith, Grand Puba, Krs-1 and Big Daddy Kane. All provide credible verses, but Kane truly knocks it out of the park. He infuses his verse with an energy and intensity few would expect from him at this stage in the game.
The mostly credible album is hampered by a few shortcomings. A few big names turn out less than stellar work behind the boards. Primo drops in to provide backing for two tracks: “Make It Clear” and “Dirty Game”. Both are merely adequate and neither is among the maestro’s best work. Pete Rock provides an uncharacteristically generic beat for “Live and Learn.” Also, the brief running time of many songs makes the album feel oddly short even at 14 tracks.
In all, Born and Raised is a solid effort that extends Cormega’s catalog without really building on it in a meaningful way. It stays true to the patented Queensbridge sound and the themes that have become synonymous with it, but does nothing to further those traditions. Cormega has never been the most charismatic performer or the best lyricist, but his sincerity and penchant for self-reflection have always separated him from the pack. Born and Raised shows that while he may have reached an artistic plateau, Cormega’s skills have not atrophied.
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