GeoReview: Sean Price, Jesus Price Superstar

First let me start right off by saying this album is flat out dope! This is so far one of my favorite albums of the year. Sadly, it hasn't and probably will not get the type of shine it needs to let the masses know how dope it is. With crazy production by 9th Wonder, Khrysis and others, this album definitely delivers. On top of the great production, you will get sharp, witty and sometimes just down right hard rhymes from the emcee that sometimes refers to himself as "The Brokest Rapper You Know". The unrelenting rupturing productions, a sample of 9th Wonder's mutinous talent, nearly gift-wrap "P Body" for Price's vocals. On this album Sean Price proves why is one of the best-known unknowns in the game. While going for his, he also manages to stay true to his Boot Camp family, with a few cameos from Buckshot, Rock, and others. Top to bottom this album is crazy with few if any low points.

This album could be summed up as a dysfunctional rehab where Sean's only exit is his same entrance, "I started out broke then I made a little change and then blew all my money on a damn dice game" Price confesses on "Hearing Aid". Sean shows his creativity in the clever song "Director's Cut". This song is like a scene within a scene complete with breaks, stunted takes, and incidentally, concise commentary on the false nature of hip hop videos, "in this scene the rapper disses you, here's the gun and action."

If I had to come up with something I think could be viewed as a bad point about this album, it would be its overwhelmingly violent theme. Violence seems to make its way onto just about all of the cuts on this album with the exception of one or two. However, I think in most cases it serves a purpose in each song. I think Sean Price masterfully balances the violent lyrics with good subject matter and creative story telling. This talent is definitely apparent on songs like "King Kong" featuring Rock (of Heltah Skeltah), "Cardiac", "Oops Upside Your Head", and at last, probably my favorite song on the album, "Violent". However there are examples of songs that almost serves as some type of redemption for the violence on joints like "Let it Be Known" featuring Phonte of Little Brother, an over and above all-eyes-on me policing track that gives itself the best coverage, "I aint lyin'/ but if you think that I ain't trying / to be the best you need to rewind this. Price is at odds with himself on the somewhat autobiographical "Mess You Made", where he questions his rap career, spittin' lines like, "rags to riches, riches to rags this cash royalty check can't get me a cab".

His hood kid charm and self-directed taunts ("I ain't have a hit since '96") are masterfully engaging. In his music he embraces his shortcomings while perfecting his flow as he gets his thoughts across. Price may never have that break through success commercially but it sure is fun hearing him give the industry a lyrical ass whippin' as he continues to strive for it. He may not sell the most records but he is definitely becoming one of the nicest emcees. I would strongly recommend this album to anyone who loves hip-hop. This album is crazy and it serves as a warning that Boot Camp is back and I cannot wait to hear what's next.

Overall, I think this album falls just short of being a classic. I believe most rap fans enjoy this album. Sean Price proves he is a rapper that can go lyric for lyric with anyone. Sean Price is definitely a problem for rappers in the industry. This album definitely made me an even stronger Sean Price fan and I am sure it will have the same affect on anyone who hears it.

I give Jesus Price Superstar 4.5 GeoGlobes.

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