DJ Paul – Scale-A-Ton (5-5-2009)

Posted on May 13 in Reviewsby adminPrint

For over twelve years Three 6 Mafia has been a prominent and stand-still force in the hip-hop industry. With leaders DJ Paul and Juicy J leading the way the entire time the Memphis natives have seen their stock rise, fall, rise, and fall again. In the midst of one of their most lackluster periods both DJ Paul and juicy J have decided that this should be the year they each fly solo, again. It’s been seven years since the last summer they both dropped joints separately so the timing couldn’t be better. DJ Paul’s Scale-A-Ton is the first of the summer’s two part series with Juicy J’s Hustle Til I Die dropping next month. Hopefully they can rekindle some of the old blazing flames from years earlier. 

DJ Paul’s flow begins a little annoying on the opening “You Don’t Want It” but luckily the track has a pretty enticing backdrop plus Lord Infamous drops a stellar 16 piece. Paul’s lyrical delivery is drastically enhanced on “Stay Wit Me” where he seems to be speaking to one or more ex-members of the Three Six Mafia or the entire HCP. After a minor tongue lashing Paul goes on to talk a boatload of shit about the things he’s managed to acquire throughout his career on “Jus’ Like Dat???” Paul obviously felt like the aforementioned track wasn’t enough time to talk about his lavish thug livin so he made another one just like it, except things get a little more outlandish on “I Spoils.” 

Lord Infamous raises the album’s stock once again on the substance abuse anthem “She Wanna Get High.” In a rare move DJ Paul actually constructs something to the effect of some of his older, smoother, yet still sinister work with the female pleaser “She Walk Like A Stripper.” The album reaches a boiling point on the Lord Infamous assisted “Fuckboy.” Instead of throwing salt on haters DJ Paul takes some time to understand their inner animosity on the retrospective “Wanna Be Like You.”

Equipped with a deep horrorcore backdrop DJ Paul and Lord Infamous count the many ways they can come up on a real quick meal ticket on “Gotta Eat.” Paul’s solo performance seems to elevate a bit as he tightens his own production behind the likes of “Don’t Get Up On Me” and “Ima Outlaw.” On the comical “Internet Whore” Paul speaks on Myspace, Facebook, and stuck up Starbucks chicks with a dead serious attitude.

Yes, Scale-A-Ton is more than full of audible ups and downs. The major concern here is DJ Paul’s lacking ability to make an interesting song all by him-self. Though long time Three 6 Mafia fans will be able to tolerate most of the album’s tracks it’s the ones that feature Lord Infamous that stand to satisfy those listeners the most. Guest spots from familiar faces: Project Pat, Juicy J, Frayser Boy, and Lil Wyte would’ve been much appreciated to help deliver this set. Hopefully this can be taken as small hint that the camp can work together to refuel their burning fire in the very near future.

VERDICT – 11 / 20
LYRICS: 2
PRODUCTION: 3
DELIVERY: 3
CONSISTENCY: 3