The heralded NYC spot known as the Lyricist Lounge has become a cherished hip-hop institution. Its original platform was built around exposing up-and-coming verbalists, and the list of then unknown names who frequented the Lounge is an esteemed one; Mos Def, Rah Digga, Dead Prez , Mobb Deep , Last Emperor , Cocoa Brovaz , Talib Kweli , and the late Notorious B.I.G. (among many)—many of these now familiar faces are enlisted to pay back the favor here.

Lyricist Lounge 2 takes on a decidedly different direction then its predecessor. While the first installment catered towards breaking new talent; names like Prime , Mike Zoot , and Sarah Jones  have been phased out, and replaced by Erick Sermon , Beanie Sigel , and (gasp) JT Money. Though this facelift may leave Rawkus’ precocious underground following feeling neglected. The transition is fairly smooth, and considering that the Lyricist Lounge has expanded from its open mic night roots, into a successful MTV comedy show, this revision is not entirely surprising.

While Lyricist Lounge 2 is a more commercial friendly device, it is not lacking diversity. Though not without filler-material, Lyricist Lounge 2 , achieves what most compilations promise, but never deliver; a satisfactory LP that will appease both the chest-beating backpacker, and the bling bling tunnel faction. The quest in trying to meet this goal is really half the fun, as some interesting collaborations unfold; some backfire – Q-Tip & Wordsworth’s “Makin’ It Blend”- some work - Beanie Sigel & Hi-Tek’s “Get That Dough” – and some merely blend in - Mos Def, Pharaohe Monch, and Nate Dogg’s “Oh No”. However, the closest example of what Lyricist Lounge 2  aspires to be is captured on Redman and Saukrates’ “WKYA” (Will Kick Your Ass), as the gorilla funk of E-Double, and the easily accessible, yet fiery rhymes of Red and Sauk are truly universal in their flavor.

The underground portion of Lyricist Lounge 2  is more redeeming, and it is here where the true jewels of the LP reside. Kool G Rap and M.O.P.  face off on “Legendary Street Team”, and Royce Da 5-9 follows-up the momentum of “Boom”, with the autobiographical “Let’s Grow”. While Royce’s hunger is evident, it is the production of fellow Detroit native, Jay Dee, who impresses most, as his frenetic organ wails are manipulated at the tracks climax, as it slowly snowballs into a lumbering acid house hybrid. However, “Sharp Shooters” w/  Talib Kweli & Dead Prez  alone make Lyricist Lounge 2 worthy of purchasing. The team revitalizes the pro-black ideology over Hi-Tek’s spaghetti western guitar riffs on the eye-opening track.

While the inclusion of Erick Sermon’s “Battle” and Master Fuol w/ JT Money & Pastor Troy “Watcha” will surely have Rawkus’ mainly underground following screaming blasphemy. It does not prevent Lyricist Lounge 2  from becoming a more concise, and well-rounded effort then its bland counterpart. Though Lyricist Lounge 2 may not portray the idealism, or spirit that the Lyricist Lounge was initially founded on, it does successfully represent the differing tastes of all hip-hop fans. That in itself is Lyricist Lounge 2 biggest accomplishment.