Expansion Team [PA] by Dilated Peoples

Pros: One liners, beats, addictive songs.

Cons: Sometimes not deep enough? Slows down a little...

The Bottom Line: Excellent. Dilated have created a worthy successor to 'The Platform' that is immensely listenable and addictive. Nice one.

Review: It's often difficult to picture mentioning the words 'West Coast' and 'Lyriscism' in the same paragraph, let alone the same sentence. However, in recent years, groups such as Jurassic 5 and Blackalicious have begun to disprove the trend....

Pros: Great lyrics / production; Few skits; Guest appearances

Cons: Last 3 or 4 tracks aren't quite as good

The Bottom Line: Top lyrics backed by producers with obvious flair for the rap game.

Review: MCs Evidence and Iriscience really have it worked out now. Their lyrics have improved greatly since The Platform, and so it would seem has the production. Alchemist lends his hand on some tracks, and you have DJ Babu to thank for the rest. His scratches...

Pros: A great since of growth from their debut.

Cons: I didn't find any...

The Bottom Line: If you’re in search of real and meaningful hip hop, or just in need of hard beats and rhyming skills I strongly recommend you get this album.

Review: As rapper/producer/MC Evidence of Dilated Peoples stated in The Platform, "Dilated is to grow, we are people of expansion point blank," I was left to expect their new release, Expansion Team, to be just that; dilated. Their debut C.D, The Platform,...

Pros: Great lyrics, production, and guest appearances. Classic Hip Hop feel.

Cons: Needs just a few more high-energy tracks. A live performance would have been good also.

The Bottom Line: Dilated Peoples put together a very impressive work with Expansion Team. They have a well-defined and unique sound that’s great to listen to.

Review: The West Coast has always been considered the primary bastion of “gangsta” rap. Following the success of such hardcore groups such as N.W.A. and Ice-T, the majority or rap acts coming out of that region quickly adapted their lyrics to include gun...

Pros: Great intelligence/braggadocio lyrics mix. Wonderful production. Lack of skits. Freestyles.

Cons: Runs out of steam. Lyrics not in enough depth?

The Bottom Line: This is a strong sophomore album, that certainly dodges the sophomore jinx with its blend of old skool and new skool. A good purchase.

Review: The Westcoast hip-hop scene is very easily stereotyped into a one dimensional, thugged out gangsta rap scene with bouncing beats and less lyrical skill than it’s Eastcoast rival. There are many artists that defy all of the above points, who remain...

Pros: Good Lyrics, AWESOME production, Unique Style, Old School tracks, Freestyles

Cons: To much brag raps, some average songs and lyrics.

The Bottom Line: If you enjoy this type of hip hop, cop this album. Its a definite near classic, and one day, it may be classic. Who Knows.

Review: What do you think of when i say West Coast Hip Hop??

You immediately think of such artists as 2pac, Kurupt, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and many others. You think of Death Row Records, and of the classic early 90s G-Funk Era. You...

Pros: Lyrics, production and beats, guest appearances, originality, no intro's or interludes.

Cons: A few more freestyles could have been included.

The Bottom Line: Dilated Peoples have created, quite possibly, the best album of 2001.

Review: Dilated Peoples, are, unquestionably, one of the best Hip-Hop groups yet to not emerge from the Underground. Having heard their debut album The Platform, I had high hoped for this album. Blending social and political consciousness, battle...

Pros: typical Peoples CD

Cons: less intellectual than previous CDs

The Bottom Line: Must buy because it is the Dilated Peoples

Review: The Dilated Peoples have done it again, releasing yet another CD you can set around and listen to while smoking from your favorite glass piece of paraphernalia. Great beats as expected as well as original flows give this CD that certain Peoples quality...