Review Summary: The best rap album ever to come out of Newport, South Wales.
"Serious man, your f****' missus is nuts,
My missus is nuts an' all,
She rings me at least forty times a day,
Serious."
Welcome to the REAL problems faced by REAL people. While Wu-Tang Clan may rap about subjects that most listeners will never have to experience (granted Wu-Tang are great), you never feel as though you can relate to what they are trying to say. Not the case with Goldie Lookin Chain. Safe as F*** is perhaps the most down to earth, and dare I say, greatest rap album of the last 20 years?
It's as though with Safe as F***, Goldie Lookin Chain set out to teach us the ways of the modern human. How to cope and succeeded in a harsh and unforgiving world.
Want to get the girls? Listen to Charm School-
"This charm school,
Where I learns from the master,
To get my finger in, just a little bit faster"
Want to know the dangers of doing drugs? Listen to Paranoia-
"Like a neon racer, speeding down the street
I needs a f****' spliff, i'd better be discreet
Skinnin' up on Newport bridge, am i out of my mind?
I looks in the mirror, the police are behind"
This a select example of the lyrical quality on show in this album. However, the album also has a darker side. Such as dealing with mentally disturbed friends -
"It was some time back in late '83
Benny Blanco was his name and he came round to tea
He made his excuses and went to the bog
Xain found him outside, shagging the dog"
Away from the lyrics, we have a group of rappers on top form, and this album lets each of their personalities shine through. Their identities are clear and unique. By the time you've finished listening to this album you would think that these lads were a member of your own local gang. Be it Mike Balls, Mystikal or 2Hats. The production is top notch too and really adds to what is turning out to be a 36 Chambers beating album.
As for the negatives, well there is not all that many. Adam Hussain is probably the weakest member of GLC, as his rhymes are pretty wack. And "Monkey Love" is the worst song on the album.
To conclude, this is a Safe as F*** record from a Safe as F*** group.
