When the D.P.G. released the ultra-slick "Vibe" with a pimp single this spring they really set an expected mood for their album, but unfortunately the rest of the disc took a far more gangsterous turn and the world was left with another mediocre effort from the West Coast veterans. If only someone could come along and release and album that truly epitomizes the pimp hustle they might be able to capitalize on an audience that has not heard anything of the sort since the glory days of Suga Free. Strangely, the newest addition of the Oakland-ased Hieroglyphics Imperium label, of all sources, aims to do just that. Musab, might be a new name for many but he has made a name for himself in his home state of Minnesota alongside one of the landmark underground labels, Rhymesayers. This man that claims pimping to be his vocation under the alias Minnesota Slicks has so many images that it is hard to keep up with, but there is no doubt which one he tries to promote with the mack-tinged LP, "The Slicks Box".

The Rhymesayers namedrop should get any true hip-hop fiend interested and an explanation of his history seems to be necessary. Musab, who looks like a dead ringer for Nelly, has been around in the game for 14 years which is about the same time members of his new label started to get some buzz with the release of the classic Souls of Mischief joint, "'93 'Til Infinity". The team that he rolls with now was no doubt an inspiration. Originally, Musab went under the rap moniker "Beyond", but that was a short-lived stint which found him in the good graces amongst acclaimed music makers Ant, Slug and Brother Ali as part of The Headshots. The Minnesota rap scene started to bubble up like an looming volcano at this time. The highlight of his early years in rap would be the guest spot he landed on Atmosphere's landmark debut album 'Overcast' in 1998 (which was later re-released in '05). However, Musab wanted to move his artistic direction forward and switched to his real name for subsequent releases like the maxi-single "Actin' Rich" and the full-length musical biography "Respect the Life" in which he promoted this steady pimpin'. Musab continues his voyage as the Southside Mack on "The Slicks Box" despite outcries from those that prefer a less blunt nature.

The album kicks off with a bouncy and introspective look at his experience. Certain lyrics on the introductory joint really stand out as some of the album's best like "I'm trying to get it right for my daughter and my son, the more you want success, the harder it will come" and "Muhammad in the night of mirage, except I'm not a prophet, just a man fighting his war." His voice of hustle and struggle usually comes off as sincere despite previous reflections of himself.

On "Ay-Ay (Southside Accent)", Musab sacrifices hot verses for a corny hook--it is one of the few moments in which the audience gets too much of The Slick when he states, "Because we don't play, Ay! We like to say 'Ay! Got niggaz runnin' around sayin' Ay, Ay!". What is supposed to be an ode to his pimp style loses some of it's steam with this, yet the funky, distorted guitar grooves coupled with a particularly nice start up verse do enough to save it from mediocrity. The best efforts stray away from the over-glorification of the hustle and stick to the cold hard realities of it.

Sab does manage to stray from the played out subject matters of most gangster rap music. "I Won't Die" and "Baaang" are decidedly aggressive, but surprisingly stress the music and life more than bloodshed and death. The latter is a soul-influenced anthem with clanking piano keys.

The low-key "Confessions of Mr. Slick" is the real highlight of the album as it replaces Sab's sometimes iffy choruses with a smooth sample. More importantly, 'Confessions' focuses on his very specific experience as a hustler. It focuses more on how he can better himself, rather than being a typical narcissistic rap tracks. The album continues to surprise as the seemingly stereotypical "Kool Aid (Gettoe Juice)" unfolds with a Zeppelin sample. The beat does not hold up throughout the entire track, but it is a creative attempt nonetheless.

Musab has a pretty smooth flow and for the most part his rhymes are tightly written. He may not belong with the punch-line wordsmiths that consist of Hiero Imperium and he definitely would not sound at home with the boys from Rhymesayers. Whether a pimp or not, the man raps compelling stories over mostly solid beats and that is all that most people can ask for. In fact, there is not a single track on "The Slicks Box" that absolutely needs to be removed and there are not many that will blow you away either. Musab has gleaming moments that show great potential as he continues to tread his long journey in the rap game.

Music Vibes: 7 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 7.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7 of 10

Originally posted: June 19, 2007; revised: June 26, 2007
source: www.RapReviews.com