B.E.P.- Monkey Business, Review In Full Options

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Rating= 9/10

I've done this once before with a rather subpar artist, but I am attempting to rekindle my love for critique by reviewing a new and notable album each week or so.

Ok BEP fans, be at peace and grasp hold of serenity for the album of the summer is Monkey Business. Done basking in the glory of their new release? Good, now get up and dance. Dancing is somewhat of a lost art in hiphop. Oh, people still do it, but seriously, I'm not talking about doing dances that look like you're having a seizure or dances that are named the 'hoodchicken' or 'Headrat' or something of that nature, I'm talking about dancing until you can't dance no more. BBoys and BGirls unite and anyone willing to actually feel the beat, this is your album.

***Please wait: Author of article is breakdancing***

Let me just say that you shan't expect the lyrical depth of a Common or Talib Kweli album, but you can expect a song dedicated to Philipinos and the language. There's no violence or chauvinism, just lyrics of having a good time and shakin' what you got. Occasionally, as BEP will sometimes do, they'll make their mark with a standpoint of right and wrong. (Don't Lie, Gone Going, Union). Don't Lie is for all of you dogs out there that just want to relinquish that title and be legit in a relationship. Gone Going is about fame and materialism and how it destroys you asa person. Union is about changing the world and bringing us all together. Yes, thats music and that warrants artisitic merit. And guess what? They all have ill beats.

[Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl can't hold a candle to Fergie's My Hump]

CAMEOS, CAMEOS, CAMEOS, OH MY! Ok, ok, I knew BEP were down with Justin Timberlake, Talib Kweli, Cee-Lo, Kanye, John Legend, The Neptunes, ATCQ, Low Fidelity and many more from the hiphop scene, but JAMES BROWN AND STING?! You gotta be kiddin' me?! (Nope, Don, I'm serious). Well, the intrigue of having The Godfather of Soul on a track is enough to listen. So, do just that and get a backhand of funk and grooves that will make you get out of your seat and try to dance (don't worry, I'm not watching).

For an album to be good, it needs to have replayability. For it to be a classic, you should be able to play a track and immediately appreciate music in its entirety. Well, I've listen to this album a total of 27 times (not counting the individual tracks on my mp3 player). And as for appreciating music; this is the album for people who hate hiphop, people who hate funk and for people that are close-minded in general. If you already love a variety of music, then this is definitely an album to hold onto. As Big Tigger used to say, "Buy 3. One for the car, one for the crib, and one to keep in plastic 'cause you know its a classic."

~The Don

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So how do you guys like the idea of weekly album reviews via "yours truly?"