The Heart of tha Streetz, Vol. 1 [PA] (CD - 2005)

With LIFE AFTER CASH MONEY, former Hot Boy B.G. issued the post-mortem for his tenure on the legendary high-rolling label for which he worked ever since his pre-teen Prince of Rap days. For his follow-up Koch release, THE HEART OF THA STREETZ VOL. 1, he dives into his new life re-christened B. Gizzle. B.G. is patently in touch with who he is, setting the tone dispassionately on the title track, a philosophical reflection on street life.

B.G. has a knack for merging an absolutely hardcore view on life with a sinisterly melodic background, laying it all out with a raw, languid swamp drawl. B.G. rapped through a Southern haze long before it was the style, and the murkily alluring "Fool Wit It" and the eerie "Where Da At" (with a hypnotic heartbeat breakdown) remind us of how the products of his "pinball mind" work. When he gets energized, as he does talking about his home on "Chopper City," the effect is powerful. Overall, THE HEART OF THA STREETZ VOL. 1 succeeds on the merits of the easy confidence at the center of B.G.'s persona and style. minimize