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Group Home: Livin Proof

Beats That Will Make Your Dome Split!

Let me be perfectly blunt. If you are freestyling in a circle of fierce lyricists and the boombox isn't playing a "Livin' Proof" instrumental, then you are in the wrong cipher. "Livin' Proof" is an undeniable record that is essential for any aspiring producer. Personally, I feel that it contains the most consistently dope beats from start to finish. Hell, even the intro was too ILL to be a mere forty seconds.

The singles, from the title track to "Superstar," still sound wicked today as they did when they first dropped. Primo's ability to cut and paste vocal samples with skilled scratching techniques is unparallel to any other. Just check my personal favorite, "Suspended In Time." The melodic beat is irresistible with a brilliantly sampled [Inspectah Deck meets Das EFX] chorus. "Don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk,"; "The crew bringing the ruckus no doubt" - Chorus. Like that reviewer T to the Triple XXX would say...COMBUSTIBLE! "Inna Citi Life" is another example of how only Primo could flip a simple drum pattern and still come out on top.

However, no other song on "Livin' Proof" captures DJ Premier's breakout moment better than on "Tha Realness." The tinkling pianos with the strings are deceptively creepy. The bassline sends chills to make your hair stand up. I can't stress how on point that Prodigy sample was. Needless to say, I couldn't and still can't stop playing that joint.

Unfortunately, I don't need to talk about Lil Dap and Melanchi's lyrical abilities. It's not that they aren't good at their craft, it's just that they really don't grab your attention at all. I still love them because they represent the real hip hop. If Primo handed these beats to Jeru, I guarantee this would be more addictive to me than Bobby Brown on PCP. Just remember to have a chiropractor ready to massage your body for serious neck trauma, after listening to this.