Mixtape Review:

Reviewed by Loose Cannon. ---------------------- Nobody wants to wait for The Growth to come out as Joe Budden—who only released one tape last year and a few guest spots here and there—still remained a contender for lyricist of the year. Nobody comes off more personal than Joe Bud and shit, the man’s got a reason for that. With all the label woes at Rocafella, Mood Muzik 2 serves as the follow-up album, giving heads that much-needed lyrical heat and even some production credits in the linear note. How many mixtapes do that? To me, Joe Budden’s self-titled debut was disappointing. Aside from “Pump It Up,” “Focus” and “On Fire” with Busta Rhymes, the shit wasn’t really pushed by Def Jam. But even if it was, the production wasn’t really that good. Now, with tracks from Ron Browz, C4, Scott Storch, and Scram Jones, among others, Buddens finally receives the backdrops he deserves. Another reason for Joey’s lack of huge success on the mainstream: no gimmicks. Aside from a few minor beefs, Buddens doesn’t flaunt himself in any other way than lyrically. The opener is that real talk, as Buddens squares that fine line between responsibility and mayhem (kids or the booze?). It’s never that simple. “Old School Mouse” speaks on the Rocaproblems Joey had with Hov—such as how listening to The Blueprint just isn’t the same now that he feels blackballed—and how mixtape industry cats will give you dap knowing they don’t like you. Now it’s time to put the past away. “6 Minutes of Death” with Jae Millz and Stack Bundles? Ohhh! The future’s now. Kinda like Pittsburgh blowing up on the Colts this second. Unreal. Great rhymes from the kids, but a beat change midway would’ve been beneficial. On this sequel to Mood Muzik it wouldn’t be hard to say somethin’ special about every track…but we got a limit here. “Young Niggas,” “World Takeover,” and “Dumb Out” (the jumpoff!!) got Jersey’s finest deliverin’ that heat; “3 Sides To A Story” proves that no one is better at REALLY long hip-hop songs; while “The Future” has Buddens adjusting his delivery and vocal presence to the soul of the beats. “If I Die Tomorrow” is just soo chill. Man, I miss this type of shit. Joey B can sure speculate, contemplate, and narrate too. Now if he can only reach the people the way Fifty does, we’ll all be aight.

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