Artist: Boo & GottiTitle: Perfect TimingRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Ra’Chelle Rogers
Boo and Gotti’s debut album, Perfect Timing would have been if it was released a few summers ago when they were first heard across radio airwaves alongside the Pied Piper of R&B (R. Kelly) on his “Fiesta Remix” single. Wisely, jumping from Rockland to Cash Money, Boo and Gotti are back with a debut album, and with the blingin’ popularity of their hood rich hierarchy the timing couldn’t be better.
Upon first notice, all the elements you would expect to find in a Chi-town hip-hop package are missing. Gone are the tricky Twista like flows, gold grills, Cadillacs, and mink and gator references. Yet it is immediately clear that Boo and Gotti are more than proud to be Chicago’s ghetto children. This sense of pride is evident throughout the album and at times causes it’s overkill. Raw and gritty portraits of the Windy City’s perilous streets are drawn on the album’s opener and title track, where they spit haunting depictions of the city’s ill fated streets. A far cry from the Broadway musical, Boo and Gotti offer their own rendition of “Chicago” on a heartfelt ode to their troubled hometown with lyrics like: “Chicago/Is the city we’ll ride for/What you know about rivals/ Its all about survival/ In Chicago.”
Boo and Gotti’s thug mentality becomes annoyingly repetitious on “Gangsta”, lacking in originality despite the solid production of C-town neighbor Kayne West. Their former mentor R. Kelly offers indirect apologies to the fans who continue to support him on the symphonious “Dear Ghetto”.
With the exception of “Chi-town” featuring Tateeze which sounds like the film score for Pootie Tang the Sequel, the production on this album is relatively tight. Fortunately, Boo and Gotti seem to have the support of some heavy hitting producers (Mannie Fresh, Jazze Pha). While their content is far too regional, the production adds the much-needed diversity to this otherwise tolerable rookie effort. With more exposure and a little more experience, Boo and Gotti have the potential to make a distinctive impression that will go beyond our demographical expectations. Of course, now all they need is a little more time.
