Kevin|Nottingham: This Is Hip Hop » Review: One Man Band Man

Swizzy! Swizz Beatz, The Monster, finally drops his debut CD, One Man Band Man, this month. This is one album that I’ve been looking forward to since I heard the producer-extraordinaire was going solo. Highly anticipated, this CD has been pushed back so many times I about freaked when I actually got a hold of it. This actually isn’t the first CD Swizz Beatz has put out. Back in 2002, Swizzy released the compilation Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories; however this is the first time Swizz is providing his own MC skills.

Upon first look, I must admit I was a little disappointed in this album. For one, it only has eleven tracks!! And since we’ve already heard four of those as singles, that leaves only seven new songs. Add to that equation the fact that Swizz only produced six tracks on the album!! Let’s just say a little more work could have been put into this project.

The good news is that the album delivers. Even though Swizz Beatz doesn’t have the greatest lyrical skills, just about every song on One Man Band Man is FIRE! The beats are hot and this is one CD that I’ll be bumpin’ for a while. One Man Band Man comes out August 21st; so if your a fan of Swizz Beatz, make sure you go out an cop this!

“Product Man” - produced by The Individuals (6/10) - ok, Swizz is saying he’s got “that product”. Well if that’s the case, then where is it? Why didn’t he produce this track himself. Not sure who The Individuals are, but the beat is pretty hot and Swizzy’s lyrics are pretty repetitive. This is my biggest problem with this album is that Swizz didn’t produce the whole thing himself, which he easily could have done.
“It’s Me Bitches” - produced by Swizz Beatz (8/10) - man I hated this song when I first heard it months ago! But like most things, this song definitely grew on me. The beat is crazy and Swizz’s lyrics, although repetitive again, are pretty wild! Although I didn’t appreciate him sittin’ in his Beamer listening to Ether (the one song that lyrically destroyed my man Jay-Z). Anyway, you all know this song; either you hate it or love it!
“Big Munny” - produced by Nottz (5/10) - eh, not really a fan of this track. Nottz is a producer from my hometown, Norfolk VA and has produced tracks for Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, and G-Unit. Probably his biggest hit was Snoop’s “Like That”. This track doesn’t do anything for this album.
“Bust Ya Gunz (featuring Drag-On)” - produced by Needlz (7/10) - this track is ok. One of the few songs to feature a guest rap on this album, fellow Ruff Ryder Drag-On provides a decent verse and is probably the highlight of the song. Producer Needlz is relatively new to the scene and has done tracks manly for G-Unit’s Young Buck, Lloyd Banks & 50 Cent.
“You Know Your Boy Did That” - produced by Snags (8/10) - ok, this beat is pretty hot and is something that Swizz easily could have done himself. Not sure who Snags is, but he’s obviously influenced by Swizz Beatz. He should have switched up the beat a little towards the end though; it gets a little repetitive.
“The Funeral” - produced by Neo Da Matrix (9/10) - this song is interesting; very nice production! I’m loving the piano is the backdrop. It almost sounds like the piano riff from Alicia Keys‘ “Unbreakable”. I’d be interested to see if this song is sampled. Neo Da Matrix has been working with Swizz Beatz for a few years now. I’d like to hear more work from him.
“Take A Picture” - produced by Swizz Beatz (6/10) - ok, what the hell was Swizz thinking with this song?!?! Swizz Beatz is known for rarely using samples and here he uses one of the most known samples as the basis for this song. In case you don’t know it’s “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. Love the original, but this song just gets annoying real quick. Ugh!
“Top Down” - produced by Swizz Beatz & Eric McCane (10/10) - ok this is my new jam!! I can’t get enough of this track! I love the beat and for once — I love Swizz’s lyrics! I need to know what song Swizz is sampling though. So if anyone knows, please hit me back!
“Money In The Bank” - produced by Young World Music (10/10) - man, when I first heard this song I went crazy!! The beat is amazing!! I originally thought Swizz produced this one himself so I was really surprised when I found out new comer Young World Music did the beat. I don’t even know who this cat is. Why did Swizz rip the lyrics from Diddy’s “All About The Benjamins” though? Diddy’s not known for his lyrical skills either, but I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this track!
“Part of The Plan (featuring Chris Martin)” - produced by Swizz Beatz (8/10) - ok, why is ever rapper or hip hop producer hopping on Chris Martin of Coldplay? I’m not a Coldplay fan myself, but it seems like everyone has been using him lately; Jay-Z, Timbaland, and I think Kanye West has him on a track for his new album. The song’s alright. If you’re a Chris Martin fan, I’m sure you’ll like it.
“Snoop Skit (featuring Snoop Dogg)” - I don’t even know why this is on the album. I basically just sets up the next track and tells us that Snoop wants to work with Swizz Beatz. Big deal!
“It’s Me Bitches (Remix featuring Lil’ Wayne, R. Kelly & Jadakiss) - produced by Swizz Beatz (10/10) - this is when I fell in love with “It’s Me Bitches” and this is why Swizz needed to have more featured guests on his album. Lil’ Wayne and R. Kelly kill this track lyrically!! Seems like every remix Kells is on he turns it to gold! Easily the one of greatest remixes ever done and easily outdoes the original. The beat switch to Wu-Tang’s “C.R.E.A.M.” with Jadakiss is what I’m talkin’ about!! FIRE!