Tag: Cool V

audio review : I Need A Haircut ( album ) … Biz Markie

audio review : I Need A Haircut ( album ) ... Biz Markie

Cool V starts this with a lengthy dedication like it’s his album and says he’s going to do it again on the next one. I guess that’s okay since he handles the music production, giving him about as much artistic credit as Biz Markie whose silly raps are fun but almost never as listenable as the beats they’re presented upon.

The Biz is best when telling a story. He reminisces about a high school crush who caught the Vapors on What Comes Around Goes Around; one of his best songs. Other interesting tales include Road Block; about a girl who brings her friend along on a date; and Buck Wild; about a young rebel headed for a life of crime.

my rating : 4 of 5

1991

audio review : I’m Singin ( song ) … Biz Markie ( featuring Cool V )

This song, the drums of which sound like the first two cuts from the Cleared album this one is from, could be decent with a better hook. What Biz Markie sings is an annoying interpolation of Singin In The Rain, the ballad made famous by Gene Kelly in the movie of the same name.

my rating : 2 of 5

1993

audio review : All Samples Cleared ( album ) ... Biz Markie

audio review : All Samples Cleared ( album ) … Biz Markie

audio review : All Samples Cleared ( album ) ... Biz Markie

Biz Markie was sued for sampling a Gilbert O’Sullivan song on his last album. It was a historical case that changed the entire music biz. Rappers used to steal bits of other artist’s songs with little to no legal consequence. Now those Samples have to be Cleared.

The most recognizable bit is a fun disco anthem entitled Let Me Turn You On, which, perhaps because it’s permitted, not only samples but nearly karaokizes McFadden And Whitehead’s Ain’t No Stoppin. Other songs utilize their samples in a more conventional way.

The rapper also covers his own songs. Family Tree is a needless and inferior interpolation of the On And On verse before he started freestyling. In contrast, the first cut sounds like it was co-written by Big Daddy Kane. The album is otherwise slightly subpar.

my rating : 3 of 5

1993

audio review : The Biz Never Sleeps ( album ) … Biz Markie

audio review : The Biz Never Sleeps ( album ) ... Biz Markie

The first song encourages kids to stay in school where Biz Markie is the class clown. Imagine a wigged goofball making everyone in the science lab laugh except for the teacher who only wants to get thru another workday. This album is crazy and experimental. Biz raps about ferocious body odor and undercover transsexuals, but the best song is a feel-good anthem entitled Spring Again.

my rating : 3 of 5

1989