| dead prez & Outlawz - Can’t Sell Dope Forever |
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| Written by Michelle Cavanaugh | ||||
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"Can’t Sell Dope Forever” and “Thuggin’ on the Blokkk” are the only tracks that fall short, maybe, because their messages completely contradict one another. While the title track encourages drug dealers to quit the game, in “Thuggin’” it seems they are glorifying being “married to the game.” The core of the album lies in the heartfelt tracks, such as “Like a Window.” stic.man, of dead prez, creates and embraces the tradition of storytelling against a soulful backdrop. On “U Ain’t the Only 1,” M1, also of dead prez, and Messy Marv offer words of hope to those struggling. The soothing blend of the keyboard and light drums make this one of the most memorable tracks. The assembly of Erica’s gentle choral hook, Scott Lo’s enunciated southern accent, and Stormey’s deep voice in “Searchin’” form a chill-ass, kick-back tune. This track embodies every element present in a love song. The most emotional track, due to its simple yet beautiful beat, “Fork in the Road” is destined to be a hit. The vocal harmony between Outlawz, Stormey, and Malachi is breathtaking.
The decision to place these back-to-back, besides a 7-second interlude, leaves the last tracks a lot to live up to. In “Believe” stic.man preaches to himself that he can quit doing drugs. The rhythm slows, almost to a complete stop, in “Holdin’ Up.” The only track that the album could have done without. A mellow but optimistic “Came-Up,” featuring Lazyie Bone, is the perfect ending to a near-perfect album. Download: “Like a Window” “U Ain’t the Only One” “Searchin’” “Fork in the Road”
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