Styles P - Super Gangster/Extraordinary Gentlemen: Album Review

Styles P, returns with his third solo album, “Super Gangster/Extraordinary Gentlemen,” a play off his 2002 solo debut album “A Gangster and a Gentlemen.” Known primarily for his hardcore street lyrics and powerful messages, Styles is arguably the most consistent member of the trio the Lox group. After good reviews but bad marketing for his second album “Time is Money,” which came out last December, Styles is looking to make his triumphant return.

With a very dark mood set in the into, Styles quickly boast about being the best, period. It quickly picks up with his Swizz Beats produced hit single “Blow Ya Mind.” This track is a classic Lox song, reminiscent of his hit single Good Times (I Get High) off his debut album. However, just as quickly as the mood is set, it is put to a drastic halt with the next track Let’s Go featuring Ray J. Yep that’s correct, Mr. Super Gangster has a track with Brandy’s little brother. I must admit the beat is definitely a banger, but regardless of how many sex tapes he makes, Ray J’s not gangster, and this is a sure miss.

Obviously insecure about the Ray J experiment, the next few tracks, Alone in the Streets, In it to Win It (feat. Bully), All I Know is Pain (feat. The Alchemist), and Got My Eyes On You (feat. Akon) get real grimy and put S.P. back in his comfort zone. With the melodic piano flow and deadly sample for the hook, Styles gets back to basics on Alone in the Streets. In it to Win it, is definitely a loss, the hook is terrible and this dude Bully is wack. Thankfully, All I Know is Pain featuring Alchemist brings a classic Mobb Deep (pre G Unit) feel to this track. And Got My Eyes On You, is a typical hood banger/anthem featuring Akon, only thing missing on this track was 50.

Clouded by too many guest appearances, Green Piece of Paper, allows SP to stand on his own, as he gains perspective on all of the trifling things he’s done, and regrets that he has done just for money. Besides the terrible Ray J track, Styles once again tries to make a song for the women, on Look at Her. Once again a failed attempt, this song at best, will be a drunk dude’s anthem, with lines like “she reminds you of your first 22’,” yeah that will definitely get the ladies.

On the flipside, Styles has some very notable collaborations with Siegel, Ghostface, and Black Thought. Star of the State, pairs S.P. the Ghost with the Ghostface Killah. This song definitely brings a classic Wu feel, and although Ghostface clearly outshines Styles on this track, S.P. still holds his own. U Ain’t Ready featuring Beanie Siegel puts together the two most angriest/violent Muslims on wax. What’s dope about this track is how the two go back and forth with lyrical jabs, that reminds you of EPMD or Smif & Wessun. The last track on the album is Cause I’m Black featuring Black Thought. Clearly the most unique collaboration on the album, surprisingly Styles P actually steals the show from one of the game’s illest lyricist, although Black Thought definitely did his thing as well. This song is once again a reminder of the range of Styles’ flow.

The album only teases Lox diehards, with Gangster, Gangster, the only song featuring the trio. All in all, if you are a D Block faithful then the album is worth getting. Out of 19 tracks, 2 which are interludes which are funny as hell, there are about 5 garbage tracks, which all happened to be features. Not sure if Styles is that loyal to his fam, but he could have kept those on the mixtape.