By Trenton Shaw
There seems to be this unwritten law applied to rappers, of needing to pull your homies out of the streets with you. One doesn’t have to look far for evidence, superstar rappers trying to bring up their struggling crews–Eminem’s D12, Freeway’s Ice City, and 50 Cent’s G-Unit are prime examples. In some cases giving fellow rappers a shot isn’t a bad idea, but unfortunately, Terror Squad doesn’t do much besides sink their flagship superstar. Fat Joe, the most successful individual of the group, clearly outshines his comrades with his lyrics and delivery.
The raps of Tony, Remy, Geddy, and Prospect do show some promise. , but most of this can be attributed to the album’s all-star production. Remy, featured the most after Fat Joe, doesn’t offer anything above the typical female MC routine, while Tony Sunshine seriously lacks even the slightly sliver of conviction.
Nonetheless, many of the tracks off True Story end up sounding hot, thanks to heavyweight producers Cool and Dre, Dj Khaled, Lord Finesse, and Scott Storch. The track “Hum Drum” is laced with a killer accapella sample bringing all the intensity possible out of the less than stellar members of the group.
The album’s most impressive song is, by far, “Bring Em’ Back”. Classic and deceased rappers Big L and Big Pun, put the Terror Squad’s youngsters to shame, rhymes spilling forth with the greatest of ease.
In Big Pun’s absence the weight of the group falls on Fat Joe’s shoulders, and he is the only one who doesn’t disappoint.