Mr. Khaliyl – Wages Of Sin / Street Team – 12Inch

Pizzo — Mon, 01 Jan 2001 07:00:00 +0000

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Mr. Khaliyl, (aka Mr. Man from the Bush Babees). In fact, hasn’t it been since “Fortified Live”? Anyway, Mr. Khaliyl’s coming back, sounding gruffer than ever, reworking his previous slick flow with a thuggish touch that I’m not completely down with but at least he’s not trying to sound like Ruff Ryders. Even so, I was left a little underwhelmed by the “Wages Of Sin” even with the Talib Kweli cameo. Sh*t was just kind of bland – the flows seemed like sh*t I’ve already heard a dozen times on comps like Lyricist Lounge and Khaliyl’s track is blip-happy but dull. But redemption comes with the flip of the 12″. the “Street Team”, featuring DCQ from Medina Green plus Pharaohe Monch is on some dumb hot sh*t tip. The bouncin’ beat reminds me a lot of “Vivrant Thing’s” herky-jerky kinetic power and I can see this one blowing up the club scene with a stick of dyno. Verbally, hard to mess with this trio though I’m still having trouble warming up to Khaliyl’s gun clap chatter. Bump it anyway. - O-Dub

I’ve been waiting for this kid to drop some solo shit since his appearances on “Fortified Live” and the Masterminds album and he’s finally crept out the woodworks. Being that he not only produces his own shit, but also rhymes, I’ve been keeping an eye out for him for a while. Seeking reinvention from his more vibey Bush Babees days, Khaliyl gets a little more aggressive with “Street Team”. The soundtrack is a bit crimey, but not so much at all thugged out, just tinged with more attitude, and I don’t think it takes away from the record at all. Monch’s verse is memorable, “Styles that’s gotta be in sync like five white boys with dance choreography.” The A-side, “Wages Of Sin” with Talib Kweli is also nice, making it hard to choose which side to spotlight on your mixshow / mixtape. A solid 12″ all around. – Pizzo

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Mr. Khaliyl – Wages Of Sin / Street Team – 12Inch