Call Me D-Nice : Special Edition

D-Nice had two albums as a DJ with Boogie Down Productions under his belt when he went solo with Call Me D-Nice, and he was still a youngster at the time. Though hardly a masterpiece, his debut album proved that he didn't go out on his own for the sake of ego. Anyone expecting something on the level of BDP's best work was clearly asking for too much; that's a big cloud that many put over D-Nice's head. After all, there are few MCs you can compare to KRS-One, so why compare an MC whose primary talents are as a DJ and beatboxer? The album delivered a bona fide classic with the title track, full of boastful rhymes and instantly memorable swollen organs and buzzing basslines. Only once does he attempt edutainment, and that's on "Glory," a school report in the form of a song that summarizes the Civil War film of the same name. Otherwise, he keeps it to bragging, throwing requisite bones to the R&B lovers ("It's Over") and the fellas who stood poised to label him a softie ("Pimp of the Year"). The production is spare and basic for most of the duration, and it complements the remainder of the BDP-related releases just fine. ~ Andy Kellman