“Lookin’ Down On Em” – Review Of 2 Pistols Death Before Dishonor
ALBUM REVIEWS By TC on June 18, 2008 at 12:43 pm
With the Sunshine State steady churning out rappers that continuously find loopholes in the industry’s current sales drought, it’s only inevitable that more and more Floridians will keep pressing their luck attempting to make rap their new hustle. Hailing from the Tarpon Springs area seemingly out of nowhere, 2 Pistols is the latest newcomer with his eyes set on superstardom as he puts his tales of acquiring currency on wax to fill out his major label debut Death Before Dishonor. As unproven rookies go, fear of the unknown generally proves to be the best assumption, but DBD actually boasts a handful of impressive moments.
Too bad 2 Pistols isn’t responsible for any of them.
If cliché was a felony, 2 Pistols would have received his “three strikes” on the album’s “Intro.” Point blank: nothing about this guy stands out. No matter what the title, 2P never fails to make mention of his “wrist game” or some sort of colored diamond. With consecutive song titles like “Been Throwin’ Money” and “Gettin’ Money Mane,” the content is self-explanatory but Pistols states the obvious anyway on the latter with bologna like “I’m poppin’ tags on my brand-new-clothesss/all white Charger with the suicide doors…” And with a delivery that never varies or even attempts to invigorate, he may as well be humming “Old McDonald” as he surrenders his entire presence over a windy instrumentation on the riveting “Let’s Ride.”
Luckily for 2P, he aligned his useless “swagger rapper” act with some of the more impressive production heard from his kind. Picking up right where Rick Ross’ Trilla left off, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League handle the bulk of the beats as they continue to excel in their craft, delivering diversified yet distinctive musical arrangements that stay true to their trademark sound. Showing some range, the trio lace the imposing “Eyes Closed” with stark tubas and a looming bassline then proceed to refurbish Mad Cobra’s classic on “Flex 2008″ with majestic layers of buoyant keyboards that scream summer anthem. And they hand 2P a certified gift-wrapped hit when T-Pain lends his platinum auto-tuner to their infectious melody on “She Got It” which also features Tay Dizm.
With the loads of forgettable verses Pistols drops, it’s the production and guest stars’ duty to see the album through. From Ray J. to Trey Songz on the hooks, to U.S.D.A. sergeants Slick Pulla and Blood Raw on the commanding “We Run It,” the outshining never ceases. Even a virtually unknown Tyra B. steals the show with her hypnotic chanting on “Candy Coated Diamonds” over another superb banger.
Death Before Dishonor never manages to make sense of its infamous title, but still comes across as a very listenable effort, to no credit of 2 Pistols. This is what you call “ryder music.” The type of album that’s easy finish a song without hearing one word. 2 Pistols may have a created an album he can market with moderate success, but it doesn’t mask the fact he’s perpetrating as a rapper over beats someone like Young Jeezy would have murdered.
Video — 2 Pistols ft. Ray J – You Know Me
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL, MUSIC, VIDEO — Tags: 2 Pistols, Death Before Dishonor, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, T-Pain
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14 Comments
4 in a row!
I was hoping for this dude to have a good album only because I (regretfully) like that joint with Ray J.
so how does an album that seems to be straight shit (from reading ur review) get 3 squares?
more like negative 3
2 Pistols?
I think his second name choice was probably “I Got Shot 2!” or “Ganksta Black” or “Lil Pistol Starter” or “Igetz$ninja”
Let me stop, these rappers are clowns nowadays
I’ll cop the torrent and check out the Justice League production though
To Paraphrase (ironically) Jeezy
You non rappin ass ninja’s, I’d rather listen to you instrumentals…..
*Heads to Limewire*
*types in Eyes Closed instrumental*
i listened to this album and i fully agree with the review. the beats are dope as hell. 2 pistols has nothing to say but the beats carry it to a level where i fuck with some tracks heavy. good review and score.
*getting a patent as Aggin for his “Artistic” rap name soon*
Hey! I had forgotten all about this dude but low and behold TSS ya’ll never fail too surprise me……………………………
My cousin and I stumbled upon this joint in FL about 2 weeks back nighas had it on the street giving it away so we popped it in and rode back north too it, yeah dude is on that bullshit but the beats r solid so I get the 3cigs, on point cause only ur ears can handle that shit……
Somebody school me on gettin the instrumentals!!!
square ass fake non rapper whoever buy this shit should be shot unless you cop it for the beats
man down here in Fla its too many real cats to not recognize him as a straight up phony, fraudulent, wannabe – dare i say plies, (plies is fake too so your posing as an imposter?) at least plies can somewhat pull off the act, what was justice league thinking staining their debut like this?
2 Pistols is a local nigga. That T-Pain feature got him attention he wasn’t ready for. So you end up with an album trying to catch the buzz before its gone. DEATH BEFORE DISHONER. We in Florida ain’t checking for 2 Pistols. Good to see a local cat get a lil shine but he aint got the skillz to succeed in the long run.
this album sucks…don’t waste your money. its a frizbee…. i bought it and tossed it right out the window….. this has to be one of the worst albums i ever heard. its commecial garbage really generic sounding bullshit. 2 pistols fuckin sucks.
I have been a fan of Pistols for about 2 years now and I think his album is hot. I live in the same city and Pistols is the real deal. If you think hes some fake ass bitch rapper you are dead wrong. Every song on his album has a real story behind it. Even the name 2 pistols has to do with him being a gemani and haveing 2 personalities. Everyone is should have an opinion on this album but just know he is real and he is a young boss. Ross