Child of the Ghetto
As one of the last few shining lights at Puff's crumbling Bad Boy empire, G-Dep's crisp, conversational flow was expected to help fill the gaping hole left at the label by the death ofBiggieand resignation of theLOX. Interestingly, Dep's solo debut actually does a decent job (along with Black Rob'sLife Story) of further cementing Puff's rep as a great spotter of talent. G-Dep cashes in on the street buzz that has been festering since his performances on the Bad Boy compilationThe Saga Continues...on "Special Delivery," a modest head-nodder with its minimalist loop and drum programs--Puff ad-libs notwithstanding. On "I Am," which teams up arguably two of the greatest MCs of all time (Rakim andKool G Rap) with Dep, and the Depster more than holds his own. "Keep It Gangsta" features an introspectiveShynewaxing cryptically about the court case that got him locked down, and the clubby "Smash on the First Night" is another one of those must-hear gems. Still, the album has problem areas. Why lazily lift a loop fromEric B and Rakim's classic "Microphone Fiend" on "Doe Fiend"? And why do two of the best joints on this album ("Lets Get It," "Child of the Ghetto") already appear on theThe Saga Continues...?--Dalton Higgins