Review by Loose Cannonz

DJ Kay Slay - Let the Games Begin 3

On "Sharades," Papoose plays Hip-Hop Police to the cover of Nas' "We Will Survive," detailing the recent hi-jinx of rap-gone-reality with the conspiracy of ridding the world of this genre. Lyrically, Pap is as impressive as ever, flowing swiftly to the beat-this xylophone piece ain't easy-advising the industry on the third verse: "Freedom of speech, you all think so evil / Rather give freedom to my speech than give freedom to my people / Instead of watching us you shoulda watched Ground Zero / Schwarzenegger kill in the movies but he a hero / To all of the rappers we gotta stay incognito / To do it our way like Carlito / Cuz they want us thinking they way / If everybody looked at life the same way / We'd all meet our makers the same day." Swisha's Mike Jones says his name a zillion times as do Papoose on they collab with some ill lines and tight horn-driven beat. Props to Slay for the unique combo. More freestyles come from the resurgent Black Rob and the not-so-heard-from-lately Grafh spilling his multi-syllabic onslaught over "Get At Me Dog": "I treat bullets like my point-I get it across," and many many more. Heck, his whole conversational flow is filled with unlimited punches. The Fat Joe labeled "Freestyle" is actually a full autobiographical song, and hopefully with its Pulp Fiction-ish funky sax loops, it'll appear on All Or Nothing as well. Its jazzy backdrop is genius and props to Joe to trying something different-can't stop hearing this one ya heard: "You need that cosign, Joey holds weight / He put Pun on and J-Lo's the same / And since 88 I been blowin' my name up / The flow ain't the same every year's a change up / They say we can't rap nigga sharpin' ya game up / Another platinum plaque, niggas catchin the Vapors...." Then, with the pleasing "Listen Baby" and Nelly-featured, Cool & Dre-laced "Get It Poppin," Fat Joe's record quickly becomes one of the years most anticipated.

Aight, aight. What y'all wanna hear on this joint is that new Tony Yayo. Here FIRST, G-Unit's realest dude goes for the gusto on the Dr. Dre produced "Live By the Gun." This joint is hitting late night mix shows and Sirius as we speak, with a beat strengthened by that West Coast feel of crackling keys and synthesizing effects. Good Yayo only alters his flow to ride on beat, as his hood mentality goes nowhere: "Up early in the morning cuz there's money to earn / Cause the early bird we the one to catch the worm / We got nicks, trays, 20s, and dimes / Got my spot lookin' like a Soul Train line / Fuck doin' time I'm tryin to progress / Get that money nigga serve up ya projects / Hustlin' homie that's all I know / In the summertime I can make the whole strip snow." The "G-Unit The Gang" Yayo cut has more of a commercial vibe, still, the lyrics hit hard. The Mexican strings and hollow percussion are hot, and even with 50 sing-flowing, Buck and Banks joining Yay ("My heart's colder than Attica's yard.") can only mean dope. "5 Deadly Venoms" would be the true treat of the disc, a Kay Slay production featuring Ghostface, Kool G. Rap, Raekwon, Lord Tariq, and Big Daddy Kane (whaaaatttt), but it slices off after the G. Rap verse. Can't hate. Expect that one on Slay's Game of Death LP this summer. More goodies include: new Sauce Money; Doo Wop's cover "I'm Spanish"; a blend featuring Jada, Big and Prinz; the "I'm A Hustler" remix featuring Mary J. and new lyrics; Bad Boys Aasim and Black Rob on "Broken Bottles"; and M.O.P.'s remix to "Hip-Hop Cop" with Wyclef Jean completing Pap's "Sharades" cycle. Slay does it again, fans. Let the Games Begin 3 is the best pause tape of 2005 as we enter the second quarter

RATING SYSTEM
	Trash
	Step Ya Game Up
	Diehards only
	In the Deck
	Straight Crack
	Among Year's Best
	Mixtape Classic