Prodigy
H.N.I.C Pt. 2
Reviewed by: MJ AKA Marissa J. Lonardo

Prodigy, one half of one of the illest Hip-Hop groups in history has cemented himself as an MC that delivers hard hitting, relatable rhymes every time he opens his mouth. His latest project, "H.N.I.C. 2" hits stores with the force of a forest fire scorching every song on the 13 track CD including a bonus song which has P rapping in Spanish. Creative touches like that really make the CD a break from the party music that has currently taken over Hip-Hop.

Although P is currently locked up he also spent months locked away in the studio creating his current release which takes keeping it real to the next level. He has also taken it to the future by becoming the first MC to use a technology on the album called Voxonic. The technology has the ability to take P's entire album and translate it into whatever language he wants. Now people in India can hear P rapping in Indian. It is truly cutting edge technology. But that's what we can expect from the person who invented his own language, the Dun language that Hip-Hopers use in their daily vernacular. I wonder how Dun is translated in Indian?

And with a line up of guest's that include Big Noyd, Big Twinz, and Un Pachino, P really gives his core fans what they want without being too collaborator-happy like most MC's are doing today. P doesn't shy away from hard-hitting topics; nothing is off limit.

With production by long time collaborator Alchemist, who gets the executive producer credit really helps showcase P's skills on the album. Up and coming producer Sid Riams, produced an astounding five tracks on the disc. And it couldn't be a Prodigy CD without his partner Havoc lacing tracks with his stellar beats and also gracing the mic on one track.

In all, the album flows like the Nile from beginning to end. The first track "Real Power Is People" gets you sucked in immediately with P's solid delivery and it has what I call a checklist of grimy lyrics with a hot beat to match. P really doesn't hold back with this one letting his conspiracy theories, illuminati and secret societies come to play; a theme that is felt in the greater majority of the album.

Other standout tracks include my personal favorite "Veterans Memorial part 2," a sad but great track that invokes visual images every time P graces the mic. The song is primarily dedicated to his father and the memories of his childhood, a touching track that will have you rewinding. "ABC" is another great track in which Prodigy goes after fake MC's who glorify gangster life but are really fakers who create a fake persona. The lyrics in this song are like the straight grit under your fingernails. "The Life" is a hot track, but it tends to come off somewhat contradictory especially since P himself has proclaimed that he doesn't wear jewelry and need material items anymore, but he’s in turn rapping about all those things.

I really can't say one track on the disc is wack. I thoroughly enjoyed each track from beginning to end. I also feel more than ever that I know the real Prodigy. He is who he is and this is his album, his opinions, his thoughts and he has no apologies.

The greatest part of the album is the lyrics and the fact that the production is on point. Although there are many different producers from track to track its very cohesive, flawlessly gliding from song to song without missing a beat.

So for all the true Hip-Hop heads that are sick of the no-rhyming rappers who wish they could tell a story with rhymes instead of lame lyrics like, "drop and give me 50." And for all those who crave a real MC with real personal lyrics, this album was made for you. Prodigy has wrapped it up and gave his fans and all that need good Hip-Hop in their lives; a better choice from the garbage being played on the radio. This album is a must listen for anyone who really keeps it real.