Havoc – Hidden Files (2-24-2009)

Posted on Feb 20 in Reviewsby adminPrint

Everybody who is anybody in the east coast rap scene has spit over at least one beat courtesy of Havoc, otherwise known as Prodigy’s significant other in the infamous Mobb Deep. After a lengthy and storied career in the hip hop industry Havoc is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down as we gear up to embark on yet another decade. While his partner in rhyme sits his days away in a New York correctional facility Havoc is obviously busy holding down those cold New York streets with his latest effort Hidden Files. 

Havoc kicks things off on some classic and gritty New York gangsta shit with the slowly melodic “I Clap Em Up.” Even with a sonically appeasing backdrop Havoc seems severely out of the place on the forced “Watch Me.” On the album’s first single Havoc takes things back to the roots of real east coast essence with the aesthetically pleasing “Heart Of The Grind.” Cassidy shows up to lend a few bars to the domestically fueled “You Treated Me” while Havoc compares his selfless shit talking to that of Muhammed Ali on the ambitious “That’s My Word.”  

Havoc takes some time to discuss current events with the semi pleasing “The Hustler” and spreads the same notion a little further with “The Millennium” where he sends clear-cut warnings to all Mobb Deep haters. On the gritty “Walk Wit Me” Havoc displays his clear ability to still create the gutter sounds of New York street life. Infamous Mobb affiliates Prodigy and Big Noyd give the album some fresh perspectives on the likes of “On A Mission” and “This Is Where It’s At.” After a solid half an hour worth of good music Havoc manages to sour the G-mood as he ends with throwaway joints like “Don’t Knock It Til You Try It” and “Tell Me More.”

In the era of faceless hip-hop Havoc’s latest project will most certainly fail to garner substantial mainstream appeal. Fortunately for all of his long time fans things like that pale in comparison to some solid ass music. While most of today’s rap fans may be caught up on the whole Soulja Boy and “Stanky Leg” craze older cats will find solace in Havoc’s delivery of a well planned and executed album.

VERDICT – 14 / 20
LYRICS: 3
PRODUCTION: 4
DELIVERY: 4
CONSISTENCY: 3