Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




T-Bone
Tha Life Of A Hoodlum



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 21 tracks
Street Date: 1993


Are you a fan of old school hardcore hip-hop? T-Bone's Tha Life of a Hoodlum is the album that will bring back some of those memories. With his 1991 album Redeemed Hoodlum, T-Bone provided fans of groups like Cypress Hill and NWA a fresh alternative by not slamming on cops and authority, but by offering the brutal truth of how demons will be negatively affected by his message. 1993's Life of a Hoodlum continues that hardcore message of the Gospel.

The album's opening track, which is also the title of the album, gives the listener an audio dramatization one's life as a thug or hoodlum. It is followed by 'Throwin Out Tha Wicked,' which has a similar vibe to "Lyrical Assassin" in a lyrical sense with jammin grooves and smooth rhymes. Next comes the haunting 'Thief In Tha Night,' which provides a horrifying yet thoughtful example of how a lukewarm Christian is to live his life once he has discovered he was left behind after the rapture. Things heat up lyrically with the track 'Straight Up Psycho,' another song where T-Bone discusses the issues of street life and once again slammin demons in the grill. The disc takes a rather emotional turn with songs like 'Pushin Up Daises' and 'Drunk in the Spirit,' a funky vibe about Bone's first experience feeling the Holy Spirit come over him.

Quite a few of the tracks include samples of other songs from artists such as Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, and Wu-Tang Klan, which fit nicely into the songs in which they are sampled. A highlight of the album is the song 'Life After Death,' which features guest vocals by Mista Grimm, who was a relatively unknown at the time but showed his ability to flow well with the music. One particular song however, 'Crazy Hispanic,' kind of reiterates some of the message described in 'Straight Up Psycho,' which isn't bad but might have worked better if the 2 songs had been combined. Like most rappers, T-Bone has several interludes on the album, of which a couple could have been left off, such as 'Shouts,' where he is acknowledging people who helped him in his career, even though he already accomplishes mentioning it in the album credits and the interlude where he is talking to Mista Grimm, even though it's a little humorous, it seems to take a little too long to get through.

The album closes with 'Another Hoodlum's Prayer,' where Bone says a prayer over those who are listening to the album as he is praying. All in all, Tha Life of a Hoodlum, despite the minor flaws, stands out as one of the best hip-hop albums released in the 90's. T-Bone has been around for more than a decade and still remains a dominate force in the world of hip-hop.

- Review date: 10/25/03, written by Paul Portell



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Metro One
. Album length: 21 tracks
. Street Date: 1993
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Tha Life of a Hoodlum
  2. Throwin' Out Tha Wicked
  3. Thief in That Night
  4. Psycho Ward
  5. Straight Up Psycho
  6. Amen Somebody (1)
  7. Drunk In The Spirit
  8. Pushin' Up Daisies
  9. Still Jabbin'
  10. 187em' Demons
  11. Amen Somebody (2)
  12. On & On & ..
  13. Too Many Pleitos
  14. Life After Death
  15. Crazy Hispanic
  16. Madd Skillz
  17. Off Tha Hook
  18. Lyrical Assassin (remix)
  19. Dave's Not Here
  20. To Tha Homies
  21. Another Hoodlums Prayer

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images