Review: Brotha Lynch Hung - 24 Deep

Artist: Brotha Lynch Hung
Album: 24 Deep
Year: 1993
Label: Black Market Records

Brotha Lynch Hung hails from the Garden Blocc district of California's capital, Sacramento. Lynch Hung is most known for his notorious 1995 release "Season of Da Siccness" which was so controversial both his label "Black Market Records" and the distributor "Priority Records" warned him that he had to lighten up lyrically in the future. Brotha Lynch came up in the mid 90's along with X-Raided, Sicx and Mr Doctor to cement "Black Market Records" (run by Cedric Singleton) as one of hip hop's best underground record labels.

This 10 track EP, "24 Deep", was released in 1993 and it was Brotha Lynch Hungs first release. The EP isn't as much of a full blown horror record in comparison with "Season Of Da Siccness", its more gangsta orientated although he still adds in a fair few cannibalistic rhymes. The EP was produced by Lynch Hung himself and as with his other albums (and X Raided's albums) the production is dark and provides a perfect background to his hardcore rhymes.

The first track is just an intro, the second track is the EP's title track "24 Deep", it was the first Brotha Lynch track I ever heard and as soon as I heard the first line I knew I was going to love his shit. His flow seems almost effortless, his voice is original and insane and his rhymes are on point as well - what more could you ask for in an MC?

The third track is titled "Had 2 Gat Ya" and the hook samples Sen Dog's famous line "You know I had to gat ya" from Cypress Hill's classic "How I Could Just Kill A Man" (among other samples). This track is pretty much just about shooting people, as you can gather by the title. The track isn't groundbreaking but I can still play it over and over without getting bored of it. Brotha Lynch's flow on this track is crazy and as a result he gets away with rhyming words that usually wouldn't rhyme....now thats a skill!

The fourth track is just a skit with some girl saying how much she loves Brotha Lynch and how everyone should go out and buy his album, the next track is almost seven minutes long, it's called "Lose A Hoe, Gain A Hoe". From the start to finish he sets the ground rules, bro's before hoes, to him bitches are a dime a dozen, he also doesn't mind beating up his women.... "You gotta drop her, cop her up against the wall, and straight smack her back up kicked her in the gut, and then sock a blood clot in that bitches ass, but don't bruise her 'cause a toe down hoe don't make no cash" - alot of people would get offended by this track, but fuck 'em - IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T LISTEN!

The sixth track is called "Back Fade", this track is filled with lyrics about ripgut-cannibalism, Lynch made this style his own in the years to come. It's hard for me to imagine how this track would of been received back in '93 but I'm sure it would of tripped quite a few people out. Lynch has said in interviews that he grew up watching horror movies and that they influenced his music. I'm guessing he was a huge fan of cannibal movies, he even made his own cannibal horror-comedy in 2000 called "Now Eat - The Movie", I haven't seen it but I'm keen to check it out one day...

The next track is "Jackin' 4 Joints", it is under two minutes long but it is incredible. One of the albums biggest let-downs is the fact this track is so short, it should have gone for twice of long, if it had done, it could of been one of my favourite tracks ever! "You better hook me up proper or die from my loaded heart stopper", I love his raw aggressive delivery on this track, he lightens up on the next track "Walkin' 2 My Funeral", the track is alot slower than the rest of the album and although it's still a quality track I don't like it as much as the rest of the album, I much prefer Lynch's fierce flow in comparison to his laid back swagger. The albums outro is a conversation between Lynch Hung and the devil, the album ends with the sound of Lynch firing a single gunshot at the devil.

Overall this EP is incredible, if a couple of the tracks were longer I would give this album 5 Daytons out of 5. If you can find yourself a copy of this EP and you're into gangsta rap or horror rap I definitely recommend you buy it (if you haven't got it in your collection already). Brotha Lynch Hung has had some legal problems with Cedric Singleton and as a result his fans have suffered, but with all things looking to be on the up & up he is set to release "The New Season" with MC Eiht in January 2006 so be on the look out!!

MP3's:
Brotha Lynch Hung - Jackin' 4 Joints
Brotha Lynch Hung - 24 Deep

Rating: 4 and 1/2 Daytons out of 5