GUTTR is a newly formed super group consisting of Ras Kass, RJ Payne and Havoc. All three of them have already made their mark on the hip-hop scene, whether it’s Waterproof MC’s debut Soul on Ice, RJ annihilating anyone who dared stand up to him under his original name Reignman on the battle circuit, or last but not least The Havoc 1/2 Mobb Deep The greatest duo of all time, alongside the late Prodigy. Ras and RJ have collaborated a few times before, but hired one of the East Coast’s most underrated producers as their third member just in time to release a full-length debut album.
“Roll Call” featuring Lil’ Fame and Method Man is a dirty way to start the album, asking where all of this bitch’s real people are, while “Nostalgia” contains the trio’s soul sample, Pouring out a soul sample for all the fallen soldiers we were lost along the way. The title track, which features Kurupt and KXNG CROOKED, takes the cave route, talking about how they get cheese, but after “RNR Ep.1.” The 1-inch skit “Once Again It’s On,” starring Twista, crudely finds everyone getting into their battle raps.
“Different” on the other hand has a bit of a jazzy feel that begs not to be compared to any other artist here, while “Lo-Fi” comes right after “RNR Ep.1”. 2″ The skit affectionately tells the story of a tough atmosphere. Freeway & Raekwon’s “Stop Playin'” brings back the pianos and tells everyone not to play with them, but after “RNR Ep.1”. 3″ skit, the final song “Old Soul” ends GUTTR’s debut with a warning that chatting with them will clear your head.
Hardcore hip-hop fans will really find themselves drawn to GUTTR’s introductory album, and hopefully this is just the beginning of hip-hop’s first union.Largely due to Ras Kass and RJ Payne paying homage to Prodigy by channeling old Mobb Deep energy, Havoc sets a musical canvas throughout the album for both lyricists to paint their bars, with guests matching their intensity
Score: 8/10
