Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label Number: JFR 011 CD
© 1998 Jazz Fudge
Instead of delving farther into abstract hip-hop, Mark B teamed up with the rapper Blade for his second album. The collaboration works quite well, as Blade and B (plus Mr. Thing from Scratch Perverts on scratching) construct a dense underground rap album that fortunately never moves too far into beat headspace. From the scratchy old samples on "Intense Preparations" (featuring Lewis Parker) to the 808 bump of "Use Your Head," Mark B displays his considerable production skills, and Blade matches him with verbal dexterity. As could be expected, there are a couple of instrumentals that get a bit bland, and (for better or worse) there are many sophomoric samples. Any way you dice it though, Hitmen for Hire is an excellent hip-hop album.
* Due to past abuse, comments for the Hip-Hop section have been disabled.
tags: mark b and blade, hitmen for hire, ep, 1998, flac,
