Juice Crew was one of the earliest hip-hop groups formed in Queensbridge, New York, by the late Mr. Magic and Marley Marl. Other members include Roxanne Shanté, MC Shan, late Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, late Mister Cee, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, Craig G, Tragedy Khadafi, late Grand Daddy IU, late DJ Polo, late TJ Swan, DJ Cool V, MC Debbie D, DJ Fatal, DJ Chilly Q and MC Glamorous. We’d never gotten anything from them other than the “The Symphony” single, so hearing some of the biggest names reunite for a self-titled reunion EP, and having the almighty Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, one of my top ten producers, produce the entire thing sounded too good to be true.
After the songwriting introduction, Big Daddy Kane’s “Open Ya Eyes” is a rousing lead single that plays on some piano and delivers what the world needs, while Craig G’s “Makin’ It Home”, the late grandfather of IU Kool G raps into Bobby’s sample pack, dropping 3 hardcore verses without a doubt. Craig G’s “Lolita” tells the story of Roxanne Shanté, who ultimately created a reflective song of her own with “Roxanne the Truth.”
Masta Ace’s “Single Mothers” sent a consciously bright love letter to all the women in the world raising children alone in the final moments of the Juice Crew’s self-titled return, while “Game Over” addressed MC Shan’s absence from the project 4 months ago by having him perform a closing number about street smarts, which I’m sure was a win-win for everyone.
These guys paved the way for so many hip-hop groups over the decades from Hieroglyphs to Legion of the Pharaohs, Soulquarians, and Odd Future, plus I know some people are complaining about RZA making this extended show entirely for Juice Crew instead of Marley Marl, but I don’t mind because The Abbott’s boom-bap production suits every seasoned veteran who could produce the late Mr. Magic, Mr. Cee & Biz Markie is proud to still represent the culture we love more than 40 years after its inception.
Rating: 9/10
