Note: It’s been 10 years since Blackout!, the classic debut album from these two legendary MCs and on-screen co-stars. They’ve released solo albums (and Method Man’s recorded Wu-Tang Clan albums) since then, but this is their official sophomore release as a duo.
Sound: A mixed bag of contemporary hip-hop styles – ominous gangsta grooves, r&b-flavored party jams, digitally pulsing street anthems, cinematic throwback funk and a Wu Tang-esque, horn-blasting banger.
Heavy Rotation tracks: none
Medium Rotation tracks: “City Lights” featuring Bun B; “Four Minutes to Lock Down” featuring Raekwon & Ghostface Killah; “Hey Zulu”
Recommended: Blackout! 2 suffers from an identity crisis. By having such a wide range of by-the-numbers sounds, the album lacks the consistent vibe of Blackout! And with more modern-sounding production, you might expect more modern lyrics. But often—Redman in particular—they get caught up in retro references about Club Nouveau, Tango & Cash, Herbie Hancock, NWA and more. Despite Blackout! 2’s disappointing qualities, it is still pretty satisfying to hear a new album’s worth of the rugged, carefree, comical and weed-loving rhyming we’ve come to expect from Red & Meth.
Grade: B-

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