Method Man + Redman: Blackout! 2

The Method Man & Redman bond is even more exceptional due to their longevity as a duo; they are best friends and have been best friends with or without rapping, connected to the hip. Undoubtedly, this has provided for some great hip hop moments, too many to count, but perhaps this is why their debut duo release, Blackout! [read review], was met with such mixed reaction. While showing flashes of brilliance, some elements of BO just weren’t met to their full potential and this led to the album being just under par for the standards of these two high caliber emcees. 10 years later, here’s Blackout! 2. It probably isn’t a “new” attempt to make a better and bigger album, but it is fresh material from Reggie Noble and Clifford Smith; material hip hop has been craving for a decade.

BO 2 comes with a few changes from BO, and most of them are pleasant. The biggest shift is seen with the Iron Lung, who certainly steps his game up and completely murders the album’s “Intro” and the following Havoc produced cut, “I’m Dope Ni**a.” Meth continues his verbal slaughter on the Pete Rock summer time banger “A Yo,” which also reunites the #1 Soul Brother with the Brick City legend, whom also spits his buttery smooth flow alongside the catchy Saukrates chorus. Reggie, of course, is equally as impressive throughout the album.

While Reggie throughout his career has been consistent even on a bad day, Meth can’t say the same (see Tical 0). It has to come as a surprise that he absolutely bodies this entire album for the most part. Still, the chemistry between the two blunt heads is as perfect as ever. “Hey Zulu,” which might be one of the best tracks on the album, with a beat courtesy of Rockwilder, features a trademark Red and Meth flow loaded with weed references and braggadocio. Sure, they are having a hell of a time making tracks like this, but “fun” is a business to these guys and they do it right. Moreover, a song like “Father’s Day” works so well due to its ability to be so in sync and punctual. Not to mention laugh-out-loud lines that Redman drops: “my dog shittin on your lawn while you’re watering/ pay the fine/ order him to shit on your lawn again.” Awesome.

It’s hard to put a finger on the overall caliber of BO 2. The jazzy and soulful bounce of Buckwild‘s “Mrs. International” and even Pete’s “A Yo” are welcoming to a change in content for both Red and Meth because they obviously have the versatility to make that type of joint work. Especially with an album that is so in your face and aggressive with talk of weed and stomping on your face, these tracks make for a great escape. But, it’s the over-discussed subject matter from the duo that just gets beaten to death throughout the album. “Diz Iz 4 All My Smokers” might be one of my favourite tracks on the album, but it dedicates a whole song to listeners that are already getting album’s worth of similar content. This makes the album quite redundant. By the time “A Lil’ Bit” rolls around, everything that BO 2 wanted to say has been said about 4 songs ago.

It certainly drags on, and that’s unfortunate. The album should’ve and could’ve easily ended with the guest spots of Ghostface and Raekwon on “4 Minutes to Lockdown,” but it didn’t, and that hurts it. Moreover, the Vinny Idol (who?!) banger “How Bout Dat” features stellar Red and Meth verses that are sadly tarnished by good-try-but-no-thanks deliveries from Ready Roc and Streetlife.

On a song by song basis, Blackout! 2 rocks, but as a whole, it kind of tumbles toward the end and even on repeat listens. Sure, boredom ensues, but there will definitely be moments where you feel like hearing particular songs for the production (which is vastly improved this time around), impeccable delivery, or witty one liners. With the caliber that Red and Meth are known for though, they can obviously make better material that is more concise and focused-not only on weed. Hopefully with the upcoming releases of Muddy Waters 2 and Crystal Meth, they will deliver the best of the best, but make no mistake about it, Blackout! 2 is still one hell of an entertaining listen.

78/100

“Hey Zulu”

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“How Bout Dat”

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“Mrs. International”

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