Artist: Bang ‘Em & DominationTitle: God Giveth, God Taketh AwayRating: 3 StarsReviewed by: Brent Woodie
Avenging a well publicized beef with the biggest selling rap artist in the game, 50 Cent, and boasting a new label deal with the biggest independent company (Koch Records), Bang ‘Em and Domination debut with their release titled God Giveth, God Taketh Away. Before you go on thinking that God Giveth, God Taketh Away (Koch) is a sixteen track dis record, know that there is only one track dedicated to 50 and crew (“When You Was Down”), with the other fifteen focusing on hood struggles, crew loyalty, and the ever so-popular subject of ladies. Passionate lyrics, strong delivery, and a diverse subject matter leave God Giveth, God Taketh Away a pretty solid debut.
God Giveth: Thank God and the duo for giving us tracks like “Rowdy,” “On My Side” and “Ghetto,” which show Bang ‘Em and Domination at their best. “Rowdy,” is a M.O.P type track, with a hard knocking bass beat that plays perfectly violent driven yells from the two MCs, as they warn other crews that they will beat down security and intrude any party “20 Deep.” Showing an introspective element, “On My Side” plays a slight siren on the backdrop with a nice piano riff to compliment Bang ‘Em and Domination as they share their thoughts about teen pregnancy, police brutality, and poverty in the hood.
God Taketh Away: The duo does not fair well on tracks like “We Just Friends” and “We Got Those.” The former is the typical track dedicated to the honeys around the way with a sweet drum and piano melody, but Bang ‘Em and Domination take away from the otherwise charming beat by coming off too aggressive in their tone, which would have the ladies wondering if they are trying to holler at them or rob them. “We Got Those,” is a stale track that does not capture listeners because of the dull hook and typical bang bang shoot ‘em up topics.
God Giveth, God Taketh Away proves Bang ‘Em and Domination can provide a good album independently. With no help or A&R shaping their artistic direction, the duo should be a problem in years to come.
