The Reason to be excited about Beanie's sophomore effort is the obvious strides that he's taken as an artist. I thought his debut album was frankly wack and viewed him as the biggest hype about nothing since Gerry Cooney. It seems apparent that being surrounded by some of Hip Hop's biggest players has rubbed off on the South Side Assassin. Everything from the beats to the production to the comfort and command of Bean's delivery are light years ahead of The Truth.

Nothing Like It sets the tone for what's sure to be one of the staples of the Summer Hip Hop season. Beanie comes correct this time with feeling and heart. I have to admit that his transformation is nothing short of remarkable. The self titled track Beanie is a clever reworking of the Murder Was The Case hook that will no doubt garner major radio play across all regions. We're also privy to Beanie teaming up with label mate Memphis Bleek for a surprisingly satisfying update of the EPMD classic So What You Saying. It just seems like Jay-Z, Beanie and crew went more for an authentic Hip Hop feel this time and dropped the contrived and played out bling bling thing. You feel it amidst the prowling beat and cuts and scratches of Get Down. You feel the same funk on I Don't Do Much. The simplicity of the track coupled with a catchy hook spell video success for this one. I'm sure BET thinks the same thing. Even DPG (Dogg Pound Gangstas) duo of Daz and Kurupt bless the mic with Beanie. Daz checks in on the phat East Coast G Funk amalgam of For My Ni!@#$ while fellow Philly homeboy Kurupt and Sigel team for one of the album's few pedestrian tracks in the form of Gangsta, Gangsta.

Of course when you're on Roc-A-Fella ya know that there are many more collabs to come and The Reason follows the successful formula. Jay'Z's touch is no more evident that on the posse cut Think It's A Game. Jigga spits along with Beanie, Lil Chris and the newest member of the crew- Illadelphian Freeway. The quatro crew all step up with skillz that mesh well on this head-nodder. The next entry in the guestbook is Def Jam South's OG rhymesayer Scarface. He helps Beanie showcase a versatility that was absent from The Truth. Mom Praying adds another dimension to Beanie's repertoire as he waxes about the true rock of our community- our women. It helps to show Beanie more as person and less as the cartoon that I feared that he was. Jay-Z returns to ride the classic breakbeat Ike's Mood I that serves as the foundation for Still Got Love For You. This is another potential radio cut if for nothing else than the proven commodity of the beat.

rocafella.com

Reviewed by Funk Wizard Snow
Editor - PhillyHipHop.com
June, 2001