Rappin´ 4-Tay – Introduction To Mackin (Celeb Entertainment 1999)

This right here is the 6th effort from 4-tay. I don´t want to say by far, but still this is his best in my ears, it´s really an untouchable disc, but being that Celeb released it, it never received any major attention. They are a good label but I would say that the main focus when thinking of them is their latino rappers, I don´t even know if 4-Tay is signed to the label anymore.

Anyway, the album provides a totaly new side of 4-tay, on previous albums he´s been the playa, never the hard gangsta or killa. Always been the playa, nut now he´s the pimp, still got a playa element but the heavy influence from Max Julian who makes 6 skits and is featured on the cover of the CD don´t go by unnoticed. At first I was doubtful, why fix it if it ain´t broke? The formula on previous 4-tay CDs was mad tight. But a quick listen made me change my mind.

The first song is the title track produced by Fredwreck. Now that´s one of the most underrated beat providers to me. He always delivers banging beats, so those he here. A great piano beat, with the perfect amount of base. “Sweet Love” has an intro by Big Pimpin, might be a lil to long. He talks for 1.30 minutes before the track begins. But damn it features production by Daz Dillinger and vocals by Daz and Kurupt so this is without a doubt one of the greatest 4-Tay songs to date!

Almost all tracks will blow ya mind! Take number 3 for instance “Nothin From Nothin” featuring Blaq Thoven on the beat and Massive and Cap´N Hook on the rapping side. The chorus are lovely: “Nothin from nothin/Makes me wanna go and get mine/before I lose my mind/I’m already tripping of this feeling of/Nothing from nothing/Makes me wanna do my thang/Before I go insane/I want be something if I’m stucked here with nothing”. Sure pretty simple but it works in a perfect harmony with the beat!

“Get High With Me” produced by Shorty B features Celeb affiliate Frost as well as Cell and Cap´N Hook. Everybody delivered tight rhymes but Frost verse is the one that really stuck in my mind. 4-tay´s smooth voice along with Frost raspy dark voice is a perfect formula!

   “It Only Rains Sometimes” would be the only track that really could have been left of the CD. It features Outlawz, their thug life style combined with 4-tay´s pimpish playa style just dosent match. The beat by Shorty B seems to be made with the knowledge that they have different flavors and with the intention to fit em both. Well the outcome dosen´t really work out for the best. Cool that he brought em ombord but nope the beat don´t fit any rapper on the track!

“You Really Don´t Wanna” featuring Jayo Felony and Cell is probably one of my top 5 favorite 4-tay songs. All MC´s cames mad tight, especilly Jayo and Tay. I could see them making more songs, hell give me a Jayo and 4-tay album! That´s how tight this is!

   I love the beat to “Get Ya Swell On” – well who don´t? It was produced by none other than Black C of RBL. Too bad he don´t rap on it to!

“Think It Over” with Bobby Womack really brings it back to the macking days, 4-Tay probably loves this track himself, that´s my guess! Massive provided a good beat on top of that! An even tighter beat is provided by the same on “Ho Over My Homie”. Which begins with Max Julian telling 4-Tay to never but any hoe over a homie. You also get the female perspective on the issue, provided by Nina Ross. I don´t know if this is the same Nina Ross married to the CEO of the Miami based Full Moon Records DJ Fury. Anyway she delivered an okay verse.

“Throw It Up” was the last song Roger Troutman recorded before he got killed. He Snoop Dogg, Tray Dee and of course 4-tay all came hella nice here. The song is now also featured on the compilation “More Bounce To The Ounce” but it first appeared here. A real Troutman song, bump this at any block party or in your ride, you will love it!
 
Overall Anthony Forté is a rapper that should not be slept on like he have been. He has great skills and really his own style, you don´t get him mixed up with any other rapper on any song he on! So many rappers sound the same, but not 4-Tay! He is among my top 10 favorite rappers and has been for many years hope he comes back with a new disc soon, this album has been out 3 years now! Pick up this CD and pretty much all his CDs if you sleeping – wake up!

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