Artist: DVD ReviewTitle: Reality Check: Junior M.A.F.I.A. vs. Lil’ Kim (DVD)Rating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Alejandro Mojado
Ever since their “split”, one of the biggest Hip-Hop beefs has been going on between Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Lil’ Kim. This is related to perjury charges filed against Kim after her testimony in the now infamous 2001 Hot 97 shootout case. She was called to a Federal Grand Jury and many, including the media, watched the trial very closely. There were plenty of people who were subpoenaed to testify, among these, Lil’ Cease. Since then, Cease has been seen as a “rat” or “snitch” and has been ridiculed for allegedly violating the street’s code of silence. On Reality Check: Junior M.A.F.I.A. vs. Lil’ Kim (Phoenix Entertainment Group), Cease attempts to explain his position and separate the facts from fiction as well as clear his name.
Reality Check looks to expose the truth behind the hype. Hosted by MTV’s Sway, this DVD attempts to answer some of the questions everyone has been asking. The DVD itself is basically like a mini-documentary about the fall out between Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Kim, as well as the impact there could be to their mentor the Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy. There are a couple of comical parts, and with funny impromptu interviews with the likes of Snoop, Jadakiss and Method Man you can’t help but chuckle a little bit. Unfortunately, the interviews are short and you are left wondering when or if you’ll hear more of what they have to say.
The documentaries flow can be choppy at times with Cease kicking a verse just about anywhere, at any time. For instance, there’s a part where Cease is driving down the street, then all of a sudden he goes into a freestyle, then back to driving. However, one of the most interesting commentaries comes from Cavario (Don Diva Magazine) who first explains what a snitch actually is and the consequences of such a label in the Hip-Hop world. Then he reviews the actual court transcripts in an effort to shine light on what truly transpired in the courtroom. This helps because there are plenty of people who are just calling Cease a snitch with little regard to the facts; or at least the facts from the point of view of the M.A.F.I.A. and Cease.
Reality Check: Junior M.A.F.I.A. vs. Lil’ Kim is all in all a pretty entertaining DVD. It could have been longer with more in depth and it would have also been nice to see actual videos instead of a handheld camera approximation. But what’s good was Sway’s thorough method of interviewing. It will help viewers to learn the truth through the eyes of Lil’ Cease. With Reality Check, viewers will be provided with the evidence and allowed to decide for themselves who is guilty of what.
