REVIEWS
M.O.P.: Foundation
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M.O.P.
Foundation
(E1 Music)
Throughout their career, M.O.P. have epitomized hardcore hip-hop. Now, after numerous mixtapes and side projects, the firing squad returns with Foundation, their first LP in nine years.
M.O.P.’s Lil’ Fame and Billy Danze waste no time delivering their patented brand of adrenaline-pumping music. With “Crazy,” Fame makes a clear distinction between reality television and the street’s harsh realities, as he spits, “This ain’t making of the band, this is making of the ‘BLAM’!” Never wavering, the duo keep it consistent on “Ghetto,” where over a creeping guitar and a wailing vocal sample they drop more gritty details about their impoverished Brooklyn digs. The angry barbs are not misguided, though—Billy and Fizzy Womack’s relationship is deeper than rap and thoroughly explained on the Statik Selektah–produced “Forever and Always,” an ode to the group’s humble beginnings.
There are, however, a few minor miscues. Like “Make ’Em Clap,” where producer Tailor Made’s staccato drums and organ stabs never really find their groove. And “Riding Thru,” featuring Redman, falters at the hands of a lazily crafted hook, if nothing else. Luckily, “Brooklyn,” a smoky, reggae-infused anthem about the county of Kings puts the project back on its proper footing, as Billy offers assistance to overzealous tourists.
Not many groups maintain an excellence of execution after 15 years in the game, but M.O.P. are far from ordinary. If anything, Fame and Danze sound as hungry as ever, and for fans of that hardcore, Foundation is just one more dose of that raw. –Paul Cantor
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July 8th, 2009
at 9:36 am
BeerGangsta says:
I don’t know nothing about these cats. I know one thing they don’t sell a lot of Records. MOP stand for Manager Of Pussy! LOL] I am glad they left G-UNOT.
Reply
July 8th, 2009
at 9:54 am
Pierzy says:
You’re such a herb.
Reply
July 8th, 2009
at 10:15 am
pete says:
you are a fucking idiot! nuff said.
Reply
July 8th, 2009
at 3:44 pm
Jesus Martinez says:
If you don’t know these cats you don’t know real hip hop.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 8:36 pm
Facts says:
@BeerGangsta
Pray M.O.P. doesn’t read this and twist that beer cap right off your retarded head. Oh, and that must mean you don’t like Premier either. Which must mean, you like Soulja Boy!
***points and laughs***
Reply
July 31st, 2009
at 10:37 pm
DJKPVOV says:
Realize you are FUGAZI!!!!!
Reply
July 8th, 2009
at 9:54 am
Pierzy says:
M.O.P. has to be one of the most underrated groups in hip-hop history.
Reply
July 8th, 2009
at 10:46 am
14snipez says:
God damn rite….da only downside 2 living down south iz dat dey dont promote projects like these. I’ma c if i can cop it off amazon.com cuz i’m feelin da tracks i heard n i been ridin wit M.O.P. since i heard Ante Up.
Reply
July 8th, 2009
at 12:30 pm
Doobie42 says:
Just picked it up today and i nominate it for BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR (So Far). That joint “Brooklyn” is fire even though the hook gets old.
Reply
July 8th, 2009
at 6:11 pm
Jriggs says:
“Just picked it up today and i nominate it for BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR (So Far). That joint “Brooklyn” is fire even though the hook gets old.”
How did you pick it up today? It hasn’t even come out yet!! Quit lying man!!
Reply
July 8th, 2009
at 7:14 pm
$ykotic says:
Nice. XL.
Reply
July 8th, 2009
at 8:47 pm
rich says:
MOP (mash out posse) is what the games been missing. They go hard. These dudes are the foundation. Hopefully, there new release leaves the door open for another LOX album. Because THOSE dudes go hard.
Reply
July 9th, 2009
at 8:47 am
rrahha says:
is it out?! bestbuy here i come….
Reply
August 2nd, 2009
at 3:37 pm
— AKOMPLICE says:
[...] XXL Mag interviewed Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame earlier this week. If you don’t know about M.O.P, you’ve gotta check it. They’ve been in the game for 15 years now and are deffinatly keeping it real. [...]
Reply
August 2nd, 2009
at 5:50 pm
Lil’ Fame Rockin AK for M.O.P Album Cover — AKOMPLICE says:
[...] XXL Mag interviewed Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame earlier this week. If you don’t know about M.O.P, you’ve gotta check it. They’ve been in the game for 15 years now and are deffinatly keeping it real. [...]
Reply
August 3rd, 2009
at 1:32 pm
NIGGAZTEKA says:
DA REAL HIP HOP IS BACK, BK IS ON DA MAP AGAIN AND HOW DON´T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT M.O.P.? PLEASE,THEY ARE BETTER THAN G-UNIT
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 4:43 pm
Mapsta says:
The Last Joint On Warriorz was Foundation. The Saga Continues….
Reply
August 13th, 2009
at 4:45 pm
Tony says:
Yeah Boy. The Saga Continues/ Last Joint On Warriorz was Foundation.
Reply
August 18th, 2009
at 5:20 pm
Not To Be Confused With Monkeys On Parole: New M.O.P.! says:
[...] Beats: XXL has a review of the album here. Sphere: Related Content No Comments, Leave a [...]
Reply
August 19th, 2009
at 11:04 am
Not To Be Confused With Monkeys On Parole: New M.O.P.! | Metal Lungies says:
[...] Bonus Beats: XXL has a review of the album here. [...]
Reply
August 24th, 2009
at 5:24 pm
Gideon says:
M.O.P. is exactly what’s missing in Hip Hop….real!
Reply