With Soundbombing, Vol. 1, Rawkus introduced a ravenous stable of hungry underground MCs, but more importantly it also laid the preliminary groundwork for
Mos Def and
Talib Kweli's Black Star movement. Both play a large role in the development of
Soundbombing, Vol. 2 as well.
Mos screens a preview from his impending solo LP, the high-tech "Next Universe," and divulges "Crosstown Beef" with his
Medina Green outfit.
Talib and Hi-Tek's manifestation as
Reflection Eternal contributes two highly illuminant tracks: "On Mission" and the cultivated "Chaos" (featuring
Bahamadia). Rawkus' latest coup,
Pharoahe Monch, gets militaristic with Shabaam Shadeeq on "WW III" and the virulent "Mayor."
Eminem works his magic over a cartoon-like
Beatminerz track on the neurotic "Any Man."
Soundbombing, Vol. 2 contains an abundance of prolific collaborations, exemplified by
Common and
Sadat X's elegant "1999,"
Dilated Peoples and
Tash's regal "Soundbombing," and
Sir Menelik's "7XL" (featuring
Sadat X and
Grand Puba). One relatively minor blemish arises in
the Beat Junkies' control of the LP's continuity -- their cutting and blending methods are peculiarly ineffective, and oftentimes lack direction. User friendly for underground or mainstream fanatics, SB 2 is the quintessential Rawkus project, and the label's finest moment to date. ~ Matt Conaway