DJ Quik + Kurupt – BlaQKout (6-9-2009)

Posted on Jul 15 in Reviewsby adminPrint

Both DJ Quik and Kurupt have been major staples in the west coast rap scene for the better part of at least two decades. Though DJ Quik has been relatively quiet for the past few years he is obviously still very embroiled in the game. Kurupt on the other hand routinely releases at least an album per year. BlaQKout should prove to be a saving grace in one way or another simply based on the parties involved.

DJ Quik’s spit game might be questioned but his board work is to be reckoned with as is Kurupt’s delivery on the opening title track, “BlaQKout.” Quik elevates his beat game to another level on the encore effort “Cream N Ya Panties.” The album’s first single “Do You Know” should very well be classified as the coldest track to come off the west coast this decade. On the aforementioned track Quik lifts samples from Raphael Saadiq’s “Anniversary” as well as Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life.” “

Ohh” will prove to be nothing extra special but the Quik’s clever chopped up hook makes the track stand out amongst other great ones on the collection. At first the island influenced “Hey Playa (Moroccan Blues)” plays pretty good but towards the end of things it starts to get a little annoying.

Things aren’t so favorable for the international “Exodus” which serves absolutely no purpose on this collection. “9x’s Outta Ten” and “Jupiter’s Critic & The Mind Of Mars” both turn out to be “what the fuck happened here” additions to the collection. Luckily for the sanity of listeners the duo redeem themselves on the hood educational “The Appeal.”

BlaQKout proves to be a roller coaster ride of an album. While things start off on a very high note midway through things begin to taper off just a little bit. The end of the album proves to be just a little better than the middle but the overall consistency is definitely a detrimental factor of the album. At worst, things seem to be rushed yet some of the album’s better features are key glimpses into what this album could have worked out like if it were properly thought out.

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