Quiet Loc "Problems of A Nation" (Saint Paul,MN)

Intro: I have been looking for this cd awhile and just found it recently. The main reason for searching out for this cd is because it was produced by Tanqueray ,the same producer who did beats for Ms.Chambers "Don't Judge A Book by Its Cover". This album was released in the year 2001 on Menaceota Music. The album has guest appearances from Tanqueray,Tai Stic,Lil Man,Mad Mod, Tequila, Gene Poole, and Tha Dogg but the inserts don't list which song they make their appearance on. After this review you will get a idea why it's worth buying.

Interlude: The "Intro" is pretty basic and features a cappella by a unknown rapper, who sets the scene for this album. "Life Of A Thug" is the first in the long line of classic songs on this album. The production has a Sacramento/Siccmade feel with some hard hitting sound effects and carribean drums throughout the chorus. Quiet Loc and the unknown rapper come hard as fuck on this song with the verses. Quiet Loc definitely has west coast influence on this style and flow pattern but with a sleight midwest twist. "Eternal Misery" is up next and represents one of my favorites on this album. The production has some killer piano key sound effects with a booming, concrete pounding feel. It's a beat that gives off a feeling of great anticipation as you listen to each verse. The verses on this shit pretty much perfect and pulls you in automatically. The chorus features a somewhat sinister and angry feel while adding even more atmosphere to this raw song. You can't do nothing but bump this song. "Stressin" is another sick song on a different vibe altogether. The production provides that different vibe with a slow and methodical beat that gives off a emotion of a heavy burden and that's basically sitting on your chest. Quiet Loc flows rides the beat well and showcases rhymes that make you want to rap along with the song. The chorus fits in well also. I rarely bump the song "Crumpest" but it's pretty decent for a party/balla song. The production is a little to bouncy for my taste. I fugging love the next song "Insane". The production has creeping in the dark feel with some clean professional sound effects that fill the beat out well. The rhymes very precise and shows great emotion on this song. The chorus has a lot of sorrow and sadness in it's passes. Press repeat on this shit. Damn Quiet Loc doesn't let up with "Serial Killer" either. The production has more of reminiscing on past sins and the skeletons in the closet that haunt you. Quiet Loc flows show great direction and pulls you into his world of thinking. The chorus has a zone out and carefree feel with drunk sounding wordplay. "Stuntin" is your basic interlude for the classic song "Laid 2 Sleep". The production has somewhat Traxster feel with the heart thumping and nicely placed sound effects. It's a one of those beats you won't forget and gives off that feeling that something bad is about to happen. The verses on this shit is off the fugging hook and shows no holes or flaws in the performance. Whoever guest appeared on this shit definitely held their own. The chorus goes like this: "Now we Lay Them Down to Sleep, We Know his homies gonna creep. And if we die Before We Wake just bury us with straps and weight. If We don't your homies run off til last one is dead. Nighty Night muthafucka take your bitch ass to bed." Classic shit nuff said. "Bang With Me" is a solid song that's worth a listen. The production features a lot of chimes with a sinister mobbed out feel. Basically a good song with decent flows and ok chorus. "Lock Down" is another classic song in very phase. The production stirs up emotions of a adrenaline rush at it's highest level with pulse tingling sound effects. Quiet Loc delivers another magnificent performance on the mic again. I usually skip the next song "Bounce" due to production and content. "Mama Told Me" is proof positive that Quiet Loc and Tanqueray makes a great combination. The production gives a midnight riding vibe combined with a harsh mobbed out feel. Quiet Loc and the unknown rapper go hard on this song and holds back nothing. The chorus also provides a bridge to each verse throughout the song. Bump this shit at it's fullest. Damn another tight song with "You Never Know" which makes it harder and harder to explain how tight these songs are without actually hearing them. Just listen to this song you'll get the point. "Game Don't Wait" usually gets skipped but it's not a horrible song overall. "Something In My Soul" is a solid way to end and sends you off with the idea of wanting and desperately waiting for his next album.

Outro: The production by Tanqueray was at such a high level in terms of beat selection and overall execution. His beats were definitely inspired by the sounds from Sacramento rap or Siccmade albums from the late 90's. Quiet Loc really hit the ground running with this album because it did seem like this was really his first album. Quiet Loc has a tough,nonsense,and gritty flow that demands your attention. I believe this is one of the better minnesota rap albums you can get your hands on. This album just recently became found able and you can buy it cheap at http://cdbaby.com/cd/quietloc2 (R.I.P Quiet LOc)

Rated:5 out of 5