C-Murder – Life Or Death (3-17-1998)

Posted on Mar 17 in Rapaveli Retroby adminPrint

Exactly one month to the day of seeing his younger brother make his sophomore street date the middle sibling C-Murder was blessed with dropping his debut effort. Never before had a record company had the balls to drop two CDs within a month of each other but as we all know No Limit records was up to something different and bigger than what had already taken place. Life Or Death marks in my opinion one of the most solid No Limit releases ever. Between great production, vivid detail, good lyrics, and consistent subject matter C-Murder managed to put together one of the most slept on rap albums of all time.

All three brothers join forces on the album’s first and only single “A 2nd Chance.” Throughout the track C manages to utter a verse full of unforgettable bars over a well laid Beats By The Pound concoction. It’s hard to believe that it’s been all of ten years since Pimp C (RIP) came so hard on the beginning of “Akickdoe!”, and it may be even harder to believe that UGK seemed to be at there prime but the inclusion of the Port Arthur, TX natives made this track the album’s definite high point. Though “Constantly ‘N Danger”, “Don’t Play No Games”, and “Show Me Luv” are not any of the album’s high points all three tracks are quality and are a testament to the overall consistency of Life Or Death. “Picture Me” was always one of my low key favorite points on the album. The track sported a laid back but thugged out feel and even introduced Magic as Tru Records’ franchise artist. Both “Only The Strong Survive” and “The Truest Shit” are leather tough examples of C at his best even though he seems to bite Pac’s style just a little bit. “Makin Moves” definitely had the potential to be the album’s second single but for some odd reason the Mo B. Dick and Master P fan favorite was cut short of making a radio smash.

C-Murder, Master P, Silkk The Shocker, Fiend, Mac, Mia X, Big Ed, Kane & Abel, and Mystikal all found a way to crowd themselves on the KLC produced “Soldiers.” C displays a deep rooted passion for the hood on samples such as “Feel My Pain” and “Life OR Death.” Another one of my favorites had to be “Where I’m From.” The way that C started this track off alone was a convincing factor to hit the repeat button a number of times in a short period of time. Aside from “Ghetto Ties”, “Survival Of The Fittest”, and “Dreams” the last six tracks on Life Or Death are all pretty average.

Life Or Death is definitely an album that I still bang religiously to this day. With a fat 26 track serving I’m sure that won’t too much change in the coming decade either. C-Murder was without a doubt one of the best lyrical deliverers of the No Limit era. The only sad thing about dude’s career is that his first album is defiantly his best effort to date. Be sure to check out the youtube video for “A 2nd Chance” after the break. Another One By Ambition-1