Thug Mentality 1999
Theoretically, an epic hip-hop album could be compelling, but almost of all of the sweepstake entries are tedious, serving to diminish the artist's music instead of enhancing it. Nowhere was that more true than Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's overwrought third album, The Art of War and, unfortunately, that same sense of hubris characterizes Thug Mentality 1999 the ridiculously inflated debut solo album from Krayzie Bone Freed from the group setting but not necessarily the members -- who fill some of the obligatory guest slots, along with Bone family members such as Relay -- Krayzie doesn't hesitate to accentuate the already smooth surfaces of his music. Some of these cuts are positively smoove, which stands in direct contrast to the gangstafied lyrics, but that's always been a part of the Bone trademark. In fact, other than the occasional cut that veers toward urban territory, there isn't a whole lot to differentiate this from the average Bone release -- there's just more of it. A lot more of it: 38 tracks, to be precise. Breadth does not necessarily mean depth. Even though there is more depth than there was on The Art of War there's a whole lot of filler cluttering these two discs, including several tracks that feel as if they're designed to launch developing artists. Krayzie tries to keep it interesting by varying the flow, never putting too many similar tracks next to each other, but who the hell can make it through 38 tracks of this without a breather, even if some cuts are skits? It may be a cliche to say that this double-record would have been much more potent if it was trimmed to a single disc, but that doesn't make it less true, especially since there are enough songs to make a very good record, possibly one of the best things Krayzie has been involved with. It's just hard to discern that for certain in this guise. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
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Credits »
Niko - Performer
Snoop Dogg - Performer
Eightball & MJG - Performer
Howard Albert - Mixing
Ron Albert - Mixing
Mariah Carey - Performer
Dana Jon Chappelle - Engineer
Dana Jon Chappelle - Mixing
Jeff Graham - Assistant Engineer
Jeff Graham - Mixing
Niko Lyras - Engineer
Stephen Marley - Producer
Stephen Marley - Engineer
Stephen Marley - Mixing
Peter McCabe - Mixing
DJ U-Neek - Producer
Fat Joe - Performer
James Hoover - Mixing
David Bett - Art Direction
Arnold Turner - Photography
Christian Lantry - Photography
Tony Cortez - Producer
Krayzie Bone - Main Performer
Anthony Cutajar - Photography
Tim "Flash" Mariner - Engineer
T-Mix - Producer
T-Mix - Mixing
Big Punisher - Performer
Romeo Antonio - Producer
James Barber - Assistant Engineer
Souljah Boy - Performer
Gangsta Boo - Performer
Ann Mincieli - Mixing
Eric Nordquist - Producer
Layzie Bone - Performer
Kay Gee - Producer
Kay Gee - Mixing
Storm Jefferson - Assistant Engineer
Randy Ronquillo - Design
Leialoha Jones - Producer
Steve Lobel - Arranger
Steve Lobel - Producer
Susan Youngblood - Stylist
Marley Brothers - Performer
Jim Cooperman - Business Consultant
Pablo Munguia - Assistant Engineer
Cuban Link - Performer
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