Why did The Firm flop? Led by Dr. Dre's evolving production, this Rap super-group failed to garner merit from fans and critics alike. With three decades of distance amassed, not even nostalgia for classic 90s Hip Hop elevates its status, a mostly forgotten and overlook East-West collaboration with aims to end the rivalry.
Firmly rooted in concept and execution, The Album delves hard into Mafiaso Rap, a subgenre then in its prime. Chemistry between artists isn't its downfall. The concepts explored perhaps lack depth but my gut tells me they leaned to far into this Mafia lifestyle inspired motif. Its better tracks share something in common, a narrative. The best lyrical strides come through occasional story telling, leaving the bulk of the album recycling lifestyle braggadocio picture painting rhymes as its main thematic reflection.
The Album does give one a curious window into Dre's evolution. These beats pop off with snappy percussive drums, slick suggestive instruments, assembled tight and precise. For keen ears one can heard the aesthetic foundation for his classic 2001. Five Minutes To Flush slaps with a hard gated reverb bass kick. It recycles the synthetic vocal tricks heard on California Love. Firm Family share a spirit with Jay-Z and Memphis Bleek's Coming Of Age. I love hearing these links in Hip Hop records.
At the time, the star studded cast probably cast a big shadow of expectation. Revisiting this decades on with out any presumptions, a fair and competent record emerges. Armed with a diversity of beats for one to pick favorites, it ultimately lacks substance and depth in lyrics content, painting gangster portraits with predictable rhymes. As suggested earlier, it leans to hard on a single concept, lacking hooks and concepts to back it up. If you're not a fan of Mafiso Rap, this will be a tough sell.
Rating: 5/10