Steve 'Flash' JuonIf you’re a long time follower of Bay Area rappers then you already know Philthy Rich. He’s a legend in Easy Oakland and not just because he’s released over 20 albums in a 20+ year career. Rich (born Phillip Beasley) is a true survivor of the streets, and I mean that LITERALLY, as in he was shot three times and still drove himself to the hospital and lived to tell the story. When he calls himself the “Realest Nigga on Earth” on the album “Trip’n 4 Life” he’s definitely earned enough stripes to claim it. It’s not a life anyone should duplicate or imitate, but Rich has been places in his life most folks will never go.
There’s a downside to Rich being the realest though. He’s been arrested multiple times and those years he spent behind bars could have spent pursuing his musical career. Sure he’s got a couple dozen albums as it is but picture how many MORE he’d have without six years incarcerated for drug trafficking. Here’s another thing you know if you follow the Yay Area though — cops be tripping. If you taste a little bit of success in rap they’re on your ass; if you dare floss it, they ride on you twice as hard. There’s no doubt in my mind Phil needed an Uncle Phil to intervene and put some cops in their place.
When you’re “Trip’n 4 Life” though you do make mistakes. A convicted felon has to be aware that the police are one excuse away from incarcerating you again, and a few years ago Rich wound up behind bars again for illegally possessing a loaded weapon as a felon. Even though he was firing in self defense after shots came his way it’s one of those “two wrongs don’t make a right” situations. Once again Rich lived to tell the tale but lost more time behind bars. He’s also something of a provocateur and a drama king, recording diss tracks about local acts like Messy Marv and Shady Nate. You might think people in the scene wouldn’t want to collaborate with him, but you’ll find Vallejo’s own E-40 on “Feel’n Like Pac.”
In fact “Trip’n 4 Life” proves he and Messy Marv weren’t always on opposite sides of a beef. You can hear the two of them getting along just fine on the song “Project Nigga” alongside Mitchy Slick.
For me one of the highlights of this album from 2011 is that he was getting along with so many of his peers. D-Lo and Sleepy D are on the bouncy energetic “Break Ya Pumps.” The anthemic “I’m a Ryda” features Husalah, Freddie B and Dubb 20. You can hear Yukmouth, Richie Rich and Young Noble on the very necessary “Feelin Like Pac (Remix).” Rest In Power to Young Noble, but also Rest In Power to The Jacka, who is one of many rappers found on “The Love of Money.” It’s truly an all-star lineup of guest emcees on this CD.
Let me make a long story short here — Philthy Rich is one of the most solid and decorated veterans of Oakland rap and “Trip’n 4 Life” comes near the arguable peak of his career. Between legal problems, between beefing with other local legends, he was capable of putting out albums like this. Clocking in at 78 minutes and 18 tracks total, it’s going to seem excessive to a younger audience weaned on albums under a half hour in length. Thanks to the production and the (almost overdone) amount of cameos though this release doesn’t wear out its welcome. It’s a welcome reminder of the time in rap where a local star could sustain a prosperous career without Spotify or Apple Music yet also not be forced to sell music out of their own trunk. Philthy Rich is bonafide and certified.