Great Background Music, Just For The Overall Sound. First of all, let me say that I own every Paris album, and I know all about him, so anybody tryin' to trip and tell me what's up can hold their tongue and not waste the oxygen. Paris has always had great beats, with heavy bass and that west coast vibe that fans of the genre will love, however, lyrical content leaves much to be desired. Not because Paris can't flow, which isn't the case, but because as a white listener I don't enjoy hearing repeated comments about how "whitey" needs to be skinned like a pig, and that all "devils" must be destroyed. It seems a little bit silly for those who feel that they have been treated with unfair suppression and disrespect due to their race, to turn around and perpetuate the same type of cycle. I say have your opinion, be angry about the racism that has existed for years in this country, but don't become racist yourself, or you defeat your own purpose, consciously or not. I am white, and I don't hate anyone for their race, even though there are many people that I hate for plenty of other reasons, so if you want to hate me for my race then stop pretending that you're better than a klan member, cuz you're not.
Paris and Friends bring the necessary heat Paris and a couple of good comrades come together for what is probably the most important compilation out now. Guests include Dead Prez, Conscious Daughters, T-Kash, The Coup, Mc Ren, Kam(where have these last two been?) and others. Standout Tracks: CANT BREAK ME, STILL AINT FREE, CANT HOLD US BACK, THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED, THROWYAHANDZUP, RAID, GHETTO MANIFESTO(shout outs to The Coup), DOWN WIT US(surprisingly good) and LAY LOW(what starts out as a conversation turns into a lyrical assault on hippoppers and studio gangsters). This track is also on Paris's album Sonic Jihad. Filler: NONE!!! Bottom Line: Hard Truth Soldiers vol.1 is the best compilation out now and is definetly a highlight album of 2006. Paris holds it down with the production and his rhymes plus the guest appearances are on point too. Nothing but political and social gems from track to track. From beginning to end they are bringing you back what youre missing in hip hop: HARD TRUTH!
Elegba This album was blessed with so much talent. But the sad thing is the kats who denounced this album don't know where they stand politically let alone politics. As for MC Ren don't you remember 100 Miles And Running. If you never liked Paris or the other Artists why preview the albums. As an African American we need to hear songs other than dancing and all that other mess. That glorifying money, cars, clothes and degrading the African American woman, who do you call the sellout. I applaud all the rappers who keep it hip hop not rap. Like Wu said rappers are rapping R&B(Rap and Bull****). No wonder Nas stated Hip Hop Is Dead.
Viper Bites The Hard Truth Hard Truth Soldiers V.1: 4 1/4 Stars
The reviewer that goes by the name of 'Viper' is not unlike many here in America. It's no great stretch to assume that Viper is from the same ilk that either endorsed/supported the current presidents election (read election as 'stolen election') or didn't care. Viper's caught up in the spectacle of mainstream media, news propaganda, worthless entertainment & other mindless dribble - ill conceived programming designed for our detriment and demise, so we never become aware that the common U.S. citizen (and world citizen) is the direct target of 'domestic' enemies, that do indeed exist (must see video: Loose Change). Viper's thinking patterns are clearly revealed within his direct quotes lifted from a portion of his approximately 140 Amazon reviews (140?!?! whew! sup whid dat?).
Viper on conscious & politically oriented hip hop in general, and a few similar artists in particular...
"This political rap garbage needs to die out and it makes me happy to know this junk flopped... I've always hated Public Enemy, their music has always been dull, boring, and pointless... Paris and Sister Souljah also suck... This is nothing more but but stupid and idiotic bashing of the mainstream hip hop industry which there is nothing wrong with... This is typical political hip hop. Rants, slander, and completely moronic and asinine conspiracy theories... I usually respect an artist's political beliefs but not when they try to force it on the rest of us by making a whole album about it... It's simply the same B.S message that we've heard from Chuck D, Paris, and other similar and just as crappy artists. This is not entertaining, and there is no intelligence here either. It's just a collection of rants disguised as music and an attempt to cash in on the recent political climate... I've never liked any of this concious rap garbage that has come out and this is no exeption... This is just another attempt by the American lefts and the extremists in the hip hop purist movement to push their beliefs on the rest of us and to politicize music and entertainment in general even further... I'm glad to see that rap has gotten more commercial and less political... The state of the music industry makes me sick because instead of making records, these artists are more concerned about fighting for a bunch of lost and idioctic causes [my personal favorite >_~]... One of the worst groups ever. These songs are stupid and idioctic rants over a beat about corporations, cops, and the "system". Avoid this along with any other Public Enemy album because this political preaching non-sense are the worst things to happen to rap and music in general... Public Enemy has always been a bad group and Chuck D knows absolutely nothing about politics. He's a stupid conspiracy theorist who thinks he's some kind of rebel. [naww, actually THAT one is my personal favorite >_~]."
Viper on Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11...
"This film was nothing more than a stupid attempt to influence the last election and a sad shameless cash in on the 9-11 tragedy and the war in Iraq... He's the kind of person who could make Hitler look like a saint."
Annnnnnnd cut! - ok, print that. Whew! Viper: The word brings to mind venomous poison, the United 'Snakes' of America, corporations like Chrysler (Lee Iacocca) and what they all represent. Actually, and for the record, I think Viper is a beautiful person, in that he's openly honest about his current state of mind (albeit ignorant to the subject matter: reality) - letting us all know e-x-a-c-t-l-y where he's coming from. This type of openness allows me to clearly & quickly discern truth from lies, ignorance from knowledge & friend from foe. Imagine... if everyone you know or knew followed Vipers openly honest way of expression. You'd have no more tales of '10 Knives & One Back' to tell. At the very least, you'd see it come'n, yah know? I also understand that i'm just as weird to Viper, as he is to me - which is ok. Everybody has the right to be wrong, even if as you're reading this, your rights are rapidly diminishing. Hmmm... I wonder if Viper is aware of that fact. Are you?
Oh, and as for Paris's Hard Truth Soldiers Vol. 1 CD... well, if your looking for some truth, in the form of words with a beat - regardless of what others may naysay, yu'll find some here. If you're an aware individual, then think of HTS Vol. 1 as another piece of positive reinforcement to add to your existing arsenal - ready for those times when you really need the boost to fight the machine, re-establish your thoughts or combat the daily stream of 'ill programming' (Can't Break Me). n'In case you have no clue as to what i'm talk'n bout (just like our good friend, Mr. Viper), then write this down: 'HTS Vol. 1 - Clues found here!' There yah go. Now just take that to the record store. There's more then enough food for thought on this CD (a better mind meal found on Paris: Sonic Jihad). As with all humans, there are a few weaker moments on HTS Vol. 1 (yeah, one or two). None-the-less, it's more then worth the price of admission. Yah can't go wrong here peoples.
Politicized Junk I've never liked Paris, he's always been a terrible producer and an even worse rapper. Every song on here sucks. MC Ren officially sold out when he hooked up with this clown. I respected Ren for helping overshadow this politicized garbage when he was with NWA and I frankly can't belive that he is helping them now. And Kam sold out too since his albums weren't heavily politicized either. These songs are boring, idiotic, and unlistenable with weak lyrics and wack beats and with distorted messages that only braindead idiots would listen to. This is one of the worst albums of the year.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
