lost boyz

Mr. Cheeks, Freaky Tah, Pretty Lou, Spigg Nice. New York, Jamaica Queens. The '90s. Throw all these ingredients into one pot and mix them up with a good sense of style. No need for seasoning. I just gave you the recipe for a delicious and explosive dish, so put on your headphones, hit play, and enjoy. You're welcome, bro. Sorry if you fall off your chair and break your ass. No hard feelings. What to call this concoction? Just saying "Lost Boyz" isn't enough. Classic New York sound from the '90s doesn't cover it either. In the end, the name itself isn't the most important thing. It's the ingredients and the ability to experience it without a syringe. Of course, you'll get hooked after the first dose, but trust me, you won't get sick. As for the name, if I had to insist, I'd call it “Legal Drug Money. Here comes the real rough rap.”

I mention using headphones not by chance. That's how I started my journey with Lost Boyz. When I heard "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz" for the first time on good audio equipment, I said to myself, "Wow, this is awesome. What the hell is this? Why don't I know about it?" Easy Mo Bee's beats and Mr. Cheeks' rhymes! Although I knew about a group called Lost Boyz, somehow their music, all their singles, passed me by until the beginning of the second millennium. Right after my first third-degree contact, I started listening to Legal Drug Money non-stop. Only later, when I wanted to explore other LB albums, did I find out that the group practically no longer exists, one of their members is lying - in the grave, and another is sitting - in prison. I was shocked. A month earlier, Big L left New York and planet Earth (fortunately, he didn't leave my heart). Man, that's so sad.

So I dove in and got lost. This is so atmospheric. One of my favorite albums from the mid-'90s. I'm loving what Mr. Cheeks, the author of the majority of the rhymes, is doing. He could be considered the frontman of the group. I read some reviews of this album. In many cases, Mr. Cheeks was praised, but with a note that he's not a top-tier rapper, as if the reviewers were afraid to say that it's different, or it could be different. I don't know what to think about that; I agree a bit and disagree a bit. Sure, he's not on the level of Nas, Biggie, or Big L, but so what? The guy is awesome, and his rap makes you not only pay attention to not fall off your chair but also to avoid twisting your neck. It's rocking like that.

It's not a perfect album; there might have been a time or two when I skipped a track, but it doesn't change my feeling of fullness after the feast. Legal Drug Money was promoted with five singles and sold well, had good promotion, and solid producers. Take Easy Mo Bee, who also contributed to the last album I talked about, Shakur's Me Against the World (worth mentioning his masterful "Runnin' from tha Police"), or Big L, co-producer of "Keep It Real." Big Dex also served up some solid tracks. The album perfectly fits the vibe of 90s New York. If it were a bit shorter, it would be perfect, but hey, skipping one or two tracks isn't a problem. It's worse when you have to skip every other one.

Alright, let's get down to it. Standout tracks? A few, or maybe even more. First up, we got "The Yearn", (which also dropped on the America is Dying Slowly compilation) pushing the safe sex agenda. It was the '90s, and HIV was a way bigger deal than it is now. I ain't undermining the seriousness of the disease today, thirty years later, but the peak of the HIV/AIDS crisis was in the '80s and early '90s. It's cool to hear the tireless hype man Freaky Tah going strong.

The next four are mega hits: "Renee," "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz," "Music Makes Me High," and "Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless." Each of these deserves its own paragraph, but this ain't a fantasy saga, just a blog post, so keeping it brief, especially about the first two. "Renee" is LB's best-selling single (dropped earlier on the soundtrack for Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood). What a track, what a vibe. The opening notes hint at something serious. Mr. Cheeks as the narrator, a solid chorus, and a moody winter-themed music video. Similar vibes with "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz," but in a laid-back neighborhood atmosphere courtesy of Easy Mo Bee. I read somewhere that Craig Mack initially rejected these productions.

Now, a couple that, in my opinion, stand out above the rest, mainly due to their atmosphere and flow: "Legal Drug Money" and "Da Game." In the first one, I'm a bit annoyed by the chatter before the actual track (damn, the explanation of the album title is genuinely interesting, and I totally agree with it, but why isn't it in the form of a skit?), but the track itself is incredibly atmospheric. It's not easy to decide who spits better in this one. Mr. Cheeks or Freaky Tah? I think Mr. Cheeks wins the imaginary showdown in my mind with the third verse. It's a shame Freaky Tah doesn't get in the game more often. Both of them, in a simple yet excellent way, talk about street life and their own feelings. Freaky Tah summed it up beautifully: "Man, listen, I be keeping peace in my heart. But if shit hit the fan, I rip shit apart."

A similar situation occurs with "Da Game," with a slightly more laid-back feel and Mr. Cheeks' super flow. I love it when rap music rocks, and this track is one of the best examples on the album. I also think it's worth mentioning "Keep It Real," co-produced by Big L. The track has a killer chorus, which is a strong suit of LB. Most of the choruses, though simple in structure, fit the content perfectly, creating a good and cohesive overall vibe. There are a few more tracks that contribute to the solidity of Legal Drug Money like "Get Up" or "1, 2, 3" performed by Freaky Tah. Damn, why didn't this guy get in the mix more often?

I have a sentimental attachment to this album. Of course, I'm sentimental about many, many productions. After all, I've been listening to this music for 30 years. That's a long time. However, in my big heart, there's a shelf with albums I hold dearer than others, and it doesn't necessarily have to be the shelf with the absolute best ones. Legal Drug Money has the characteristic of possessing both those qualities. I listen to various genres of music, but once in a while, a wave of music floods me, music that was born in New York 50 years ago. LB often hangs out with me for a good few days during those times. Legal Drug Money is an excellent example of successful and atmospheric production. Classic New York sound from the '90s. It's a shame about what happened. Freaky Tah died in a stupid way at the age of 27, shot at Mr. Cheeks' birthday party. A few years later, Spigg Nice got 37 years for bank robberies. Well, it's 2024, 28 years have passed since the release of Legal Drug Money, and I'm nodding my head to "Da Game." Freaky Tah, for me, you're immortal.