“What U C Is What U Get…”
AUDIO By TSSCrew on April 29, 2008 at 10:13 pmWords By Patrick M.
It’s easy to forget what a force X to the Z was before “Pimp My Ride” was ever conceived. He led the way in representing the West Coast underground with the late 90’s releases At The Speed Of Life and 40 Dayz and 40 Nightz. Three songs off 40 Dayz… remain in constant rotation - “Chamber Music,” “Three Card Molly,” and “What U C Is What U Get.” These three songs resonate with me for their unified raw ferocity and the subtle differences between them exhibit the different ways one can make a timeless song.
On “Chamber Music,” the beat is the star of the show; the marching drums and bass from Sir Jinx’s beat sound positively apocalyptic. The random sound effects, violins and flutes add a sense of disharmony. Xzibit seizes on this vibe by anointing himself the apocalyptic force behind the “Chamber Music.”
“Three Card Molly” features a mellower beat, but the lyrics of Ras Kass, Saafir, and Xzibit more than make up for any lost ferocity. Any chorus that features a line like: “Pull your spine through your mouth and watch your body drop,” won’t be accused of being soft. The verses feature gems from Ras Kass and X of hardcore lyrical imagery and rhyme trickery, ending with the totally inappropriate “Picture yourself crushin’ Xzibit with your tough talk/that’s like Christopher Reeves doing the Crip Walk.” Like any classic posse cut, there’s a competitive edge to the verses, and in trying to outshine each other, the three cards take the game to greater heights.
Despite the Mortal Kombat references in “Three Card Molly,” it’s “What U C is What U Get,” that’s the real finisher. This song is built around a chorus that demands you chant along. The beat and verses are dope in their own right, but it’s the song’s build-up which peaks with the “Players, Pimps, Hustlers…” that stands apart. Also of note is the excellent execution by Xzibit of recognizing this structure and keeping the song moving that make it a classic.
Xzibit’s later commercial success was the result of luck and the help of the Good Dr. Dre, but these tracks got him noticed in the first place. These songs have held up over the last decade and deserve a spin in any Hip-Hop head’s summer rotation.
Xzibit - “Chamber Music,” “Three Card Molly” and “What U C Is What U Get”
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Posted in AUDIO, GENERAL, LOOSIES, MUSIC — Tags: Ras Kass, Saafir, Xzibit
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likwit family original
At The Speed Of Life
RIAA Admits Vinyl Sales Are Climbing:
http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/04/riaa-admits-vin.html
I don’t buy vinyl (cds for me!) but that’s cool I guess.
http://www.musicalessence.wordpress.com - check it.
The “Eye May Shine (Remix)” w/ Mobb Deep is one of my favorite songs.
Damn, that dude could spit.
some of my favorite rappers have been emasculated
X. Not sure why he doesn’t get more love.
Dude was the west coast’s Jadakiss but with better production. And less label drama early on.
It’s funny because being on MTV helped him in terms of doing shows, but he wasn’t moving exponentially more units being suburbia’s personal mechanic/lowrider mascot than beforehand.
Weapons bricked.
is he even on a label now? or is he going the indie route.
Too bad Golden State never took off. I thought they had possibilities.
my top 3 from 40 dayz:
1. recycled assassins [xzibit's verse is story telling at its best]
2. three card molly
3. handle your business
dopest rapper whose gubmint name includes Alvin and Nathaniel
Restless had some certified bangers on it.
That was before his career jumped the shark
x need 2 get back with dre..one of my favorite rappers ever. btw if u r curious, snoop dogg is my number one favorite rapper of all time, hands down. let me down a lil with ego trippin, but hopefully he’ll get back on that blue carpet ish. remember when eminem, dre, snoop, xzibit, and nate were rolling 2gether??? that was the CLICK!!!
^ yeah, the Aftermath clique from the Chronic 2001 days had dope chemistry
they fit so well 2gether u got 2 call them a click…save clique for 4 the sorority rejects lol
bun b 2 trill anyone?? pleeeeeease
^ you sure that Bun B is out?
sohh said it dropped 2day, along with hard candy and vyp lol
lil mama…lets just not go there.
Bun B - May 20th
Kidz In The Hall - May 13th
Go revisit Big Noyd’s Illustrious or something…
dammit really?? i guess im a peep this hard candy then
as much as flo-rida is garbage
elevator>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>4 minutes
smh at myself, y did i waste 150 mb on madonna? maybe i can snag a white woman with a fat booty who will listen 2 all my problems
wait wait wait theres a couple bangers courtesy of the bros. virginia and yeezy….might not be something i listen 2 on the regular but i’ll admit i havent liked madonna this much since she had cones 4 titties.
oo oo TSS can i write a review?
^ is there anymore Timbaland production on the Flo Rida besides “Elevator”?
might have to fuck widdit if the beats are like that
NO mail on sunday is HOT garbage my friend. elevator is hot because thats flo-ridas forte, those big pop types songs. its when he tries 2 rap rap that he fails miserably. priceless is another track i liked. american superstar would’ve been hot but weezy killed it and flo just sucked, even w/o comparing. i can listen 2 elevator 4 days tho
X was a major force b4 pimp my ride…id say i like his first 3 or 4 disc but the last few i havent been able to vibe with 2 much…its like hes trying to hard to be what everyone else is trying to be instead of staying true to himself and making good music like we know he can. 40 dayz and 40 night by far is my favorite disc from him by the way…that was back in the day with the craze of enhanced cds lol
Mail On Sunday is not garbage
-”Act Like You Know”
-”Priceless”
-”Roll”
-”Gotta Eat”
All got that knock…
And nobody killed “American Superstar”… its just there.
That joint he did with Premo is dope too…What A Mess
Fuck I love me some Premier beats.
i did not say it was garbage…i said it was HOT garbage. ur right, its got a couple hot songs but think about somebody else who could’ve BODIED those beats. the only times flo-rida fails r when he tries 2 do the whole “i can rap thing”, im not gonna deny his hitmaking ability.
Fuck the Spurs!
hey fuck it, its late. somebody gimme dat link 4 toastee porn
does anymore have the new Santogold?
oooo i gotta feelin yall dont like weezy up in here
i think it would’ve sounded nice on Carter 3…u gotta admit, with some of the garbage weezy has dropped lately, that was a nice lil treat and wit the beat its complete. so maybe he didn’t KILL it per se, but after hearing flo, sure sounds like it
Millionz continues to talk out of His ass, Ace Ventura style…
@ complexone - “What A Mess” = SO slept on, glad you’re up on that track, Primo blessed X, and X returned the favor by flowing nicely on it (though it’s hard to fuck up a dope Primo track, lol)
@ DeeDee - Santogold
http://www.shareonall.com/Santogold-turbocity_podw.zip
*samples Flo Rida tracks on iTunes*
Aye, can someone zShare just that “Elevator” track for ya boy? Hot damn, i sure fucks with some Timbaland
ROFL @ Amp (who came outta nowhere)
@ ET
Tell that to Group Home
Flo-Rida-Elevator
hxxp://www.zshare.net/audio/11294458545a70de
@TC
LOL Been lurking today, but I couldn’t help Myself…
Amp DID come outta nowhere…lol…prolly a GTAIV snack break
as far as Lil Dap & Malachi…they weren’t THAT bad, lol…the general consensus is that Primo makes most cats sound better…his production on Livin Proof was bananas…so the vocals take a backseat to the beats, obviously
good lookin’ out Amp, I see you got your zShare game up, lol
Thanks ET. =)
& those Xzibit tracks Patrick linked up…timeless. when 10 year old songs still bang like that, it makes me wonder about dude…
If Cube can still come out with the same swagger, then X should be able to too
yeaah amp is back wit dat promo. u captain of my street team homie!! every time u diss me i get like 20 30 more plays so keep it comin pimpin!
Tim’s beats = HBCU marching band beats + Star Wars
fuck videogames…I play with bitches feelings.
i like timbos horns on elevator
Amp DID come outta nowhere…lol…prolly a GTAIV snack break
==========
LOL
Stinkbox >>>> Xbox
real talk.
I stopped playing videogames in 2004.
….but I started humping way before then.
just wanted to clear that up.
^^LMAO worrrrrrrrrrrd. im gettin some of that gushy stuff 2morrow night
TLC crazysexycool…please?
I wonder if Eli & Denaun are long-lost cousins or something…Denaun should look out for Eli one time
The Foundation is my favorite song from At The Speed Of Life. Shit almost brings a tear to my eye everytime I hear it… Call me a pussy!
im gettin some of that gushy stuff 2morrow night
————————————
aint it great when you know ahead of time that your gonna get laid?
I still dont understand why people went in on him for doin Pimp My Ride
ELI PORTERS RESPONSE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s04UNV-YX94
ELI RIDES THE BEAT LIKE NEVER BEFORE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gaao2qW5pAk
hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gaao2qW5pAk
shits totally unrelated buuuuut… does anyone have a pdf or ebook or whatever of The Confessions of Rick James: Memoirs of a Super Freak by Rick James? I looked in a book store but couldn’t find.. cbf buying it online n waiting for it.
Werd to X…. *plays What A Mess>
A heavy right-left combination that’ll cave ya face in, they only got a few of us left
^ buy it. it’s worth the few lil dollars it costs lol.
At The Speed Of Life > 40 Dayz and 40 Nightz
Personal opinion of course…
That was when Loud was runnin things. They had one of the greatest rosters at the time…
* Wu-Tang (Rae might have been the only member to sign with ‘em, but I cant remember)
* Mobb Deep
* Big Pun
* The Beatnuts
* M.O.P.
* Tha Alkaholiks
* Xzibit
* Cella Dwellas
Back in the day the whole Likwit crew (Defari anyone?) used to get mad love on underground radio in NYC. They used to swing by Stretch & Bobbito’s show every couple months. Them, Pharcyde and Hiero (93 til Infinity still gets plenty of burn from me) are the main reasons behind my love of that TRUE West Coast hip hop…
@ petey
yezzir
^^LMAO worrrrrrrrrrrd. im gettin some of that gushy stuff 2morrow night
————————————————————-
Really? For some reason, I don’t believe you
PS- Cats sound stupid talkin bout pussy over Playstation. That goes without saying. Anyone who feels the need to constantly talk about gettin some cut up, leads Me to believe they aren’t getting it nearly as much as they’d have You believe.
XZ that nigga!Off 40 Dayz, I always loved Inside Job. Some realdeal Scorcese like Wessyde traphop over a mean KoolGRap&Polo Live and Let Die bass line.
@ A.V. Deck was on loud too
yes! 3 classics…fuckin a i love these joints…
the WYSIWYG vid is amazing too…