Album: Hell Rell - Black Mask, Black Gloves: The Ruga Edition

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Dipset have made a huge name for themselves over the years.  With an array of artists including Cam’ron, Juelz Santana and J.R. Writer, the reputation that Dipset has built in the world of street rap is of a highly recognized caliber. Hell Rell’s Black Mask, Black Gloves: The Ruga Edition is the latest addition to their big fat collection, but does it stand out from the rest?

The franchise that is Dipset is easily recognizable not only by something as basic as album covers, but in musicality, lyrical content and hell, even flow. This is where Black Mask, Black Gloves: The Ruga Edition is not much different from many other albums by members of the Diplomats. The beats are just past the point of ‘basically diverse’, as most just consist of similar tempos, big bass and synthesizer loops. A change is attempted on Think Of A Problem, in which A.Raab Muzik utilizes more cymbals and drums, but doesn’t successfully pull off the ‘busy beat’ kinda cut.

When the majority of your tracks have such a basic structure, you need to be one hell of a lyricist to carry the track on. Although there is a general lack of content (same old Dipset: ‘I’ve got more than you, I’m threatening you’ etc. with a recent rarity of eye-opening punch lines) Hell Rell is better than average.

However, on tracks like What Up, the appearance of producer/MC J.R. Writer is almost a necessity, as they carry it as a team without outrhyming each other, over a simply structured but well-arranged beat by Hell Rell and Hassidic. Perhaps more guest appearances –  that is, less Hell Rell – could have done better things for this album.

Aside from the 'oh-so-original' tough-talkin’ gangsta image that Hell Rell portrays, there is a joint on this album for the ladies, Come On Baby Girl, which isn’t half-bad. Over a laid-back beat with a nice sample loop (laid down by Hassidity), Hell Rell spits game to an unnamed honey. Although tracks like this are not meant to be dug into very deeply, you can’t help but think, “Okay, I’ve heard plenty of your self-bragging, when will I hear you talk about her?” If you need an example, just look at about 80% of each verse of the song. But it’s still a good track to just kick it to.

For any fans of Hell Rell (and/or the Diplomats), you get your money’s or megabyte’s worth with Black Mask, Black Gloves: The Ruga Edition. It follows almost the exact same formula as the last followed and the next probably will, but if you like it that much, by all means enjoy. To those who just happen to listen to a Dipset member song by chance, you might want to pass on most of this album but give a couple of tracks a listen – they might open up an unknown part of you which digs this.

Available through Babygrande Records