January 26, 2021

King Tee "Tha Trifflin' Album" (January 26, 1993)


Between albums the Compton King has been staying in shape by participating in a number of St. Ides malt liquor commercials. If you are not familiar with some of the best rap commercials ever made, King Tee has included one ("King Tee's Beer Stand") to let you know what the hype is all about. It was once said that King Tee "can't think without a drink" and I am inclined to believe it because much of this album's subject matter seems to have been inspired by St. Ides. The title of "Drunk Tekneek" speaks for itself and "On The Rox" takes out Spice 1's "187 Proof," in telling a story that cleverly weeaves alchol-related metaphors into the lyrics. Tee, who has always had skills, shows that you can always get better, and he proves to be a master wordsmith on that cut. In keeping with the album's theme of skills and alcohol, Tee unleashes the Alkaholiks--two brothers whose lyrical styles add serious strength and versatility to the album. On "I Got It Bad Y'all," they question the rhymes of other MC's: "Some people use the word funky too loosely/How many rappers say they kick it like Bruce Lee?" On "Bus' Dat Ass," they flaunt complex, East Coast flavored rhyme skills. And "A Hoe B-4 The Homie" features Tee, Ice Cube and Deadly Threat rapping over a slow hustler groove. As an added bonus you get to sample Marley Marl's remix of "At Your Own Risk." In stepping away from his gangsta image and varying his tempos and rhyme styles, King Tee has produced (unlike last time) an album that is consistent. And at a short 45 minutes in length, this is clearly Tee's finest effort since the days of "Act a Fool." - The Source, February 1993. Revisit this classic album below...


The full review in The Source magazine + physical copies...