Apache "Gangsta Bitch" (The Source, 12/92)

"The Flavor Unit's self-proclaimed "Hip-Hop Green Beret" slows the pace down with an ode to the woman of his dreams. The ruff n' rugged Apache is man enough to admit that he needs a special woman to fulfill his needs. Q-Tip's compelling slow jam tracks makes this "Around the Way Girl" parody even more captivating. Has anybody seen this girl? "I need a gangsta b!tch, she don't sleep and she don't play / Stickin' up girls from around the f#ckin' way ... She's got charm / A firearm to match mine / Goin' to the movies packin' his and her nines / Motherf#ck the weather / On Valentine's Day doin' stick-ups together." Ahh yes, the perfect picture of young love." Cont'd below...

"On the flip side, Apache gets down to business, and unleashed his feared, rapid-fire lyrical skills. Rather than let someone else criticize him, he does it for you. You won't be able to say anything he hasn't already said about himself after you hear "Apache Ain't Sh!t." It gets no ruffer." - The Source, December 1992 // The Flavor Unit eMCee Apache passed away in 2010, may he rest in peace.

Apache "Apache Ain't Sh!t" (The Source, 1993)

"The Flavor Unit has snuffed us in the grill with the hardcore rhymes from Naughty By Nature, the "trio from E.O." (East Orange, NJ). This year, the Flavor squad gives us a slamming debut from one of "Chilltown's" (Jersey City) best. Apache, the man who gave light to the "Gangsta Bitch," and got busy on Naughty's "1,2,3," gets things started right off the bat. After the intro track, he slides into "Tonto," a braggadocio type joint where he flips rhymes about hittin' skinz with his main man Tonto ... Another stand out is the innovative "Do Fa Self," where Apache flips rhymes with a nine-year old kid about the dangers of livin' large by foul means. While a good portion of this album deals with sex and could be seen as disrespectful to women, Apache is more than willing to make amends... Production-wise, the album thrills, with some of hip-hop's finest taking control. Diamond D drops by and digs in his vast supply of crates and comes up with plenty of dust on his fingers and a little slime under his fingernails. "Git Ya Weight Up" is sure to make a hip-hop junkie's hair stand on end with its hyped drumtrack and soulful horns. Not to be outdone, the Large Professor rolls out fat, island-tinged flavor on "Hey Girl." This album's diverse musical nature will make it a welcome addition to many collections. Apache is raw enough to appeal to underground heads, without closing the door on the casual, R&B oriented hip-hop consumer." - The Source, April 1993. (Updated)

The original review in The Source (April, 1993) is below...

R.I.P. Apache / Anthony Peaks (December 26, 1964 – January 22, 2010)