This review was written by my friend Kevin for my old site three years ago.

Halfway through the intro of A Musical Massacre, the latest release from the Beatnuts, one can’t help but expect the whole LP to be a raucous ride through Queens a la Psycho Les and JuJu. This assumption would be correct if it weren’t for one fact: the Beatnuts are not your average rap duo. Those expecting predictably need not apply. While staying true to the classic street hip-hop aesthetic, the Beatnuts manage to do something they always do….innovate. They make it seem easy as they provide jubilant melodies over triumphant, hardcore drum loops and authentic scratches, blending the avant garde with tried and true.

On tracks like “Beatnuts Forever”, provoking strings mix with grimy and hardcore bass to solidify another Beatnuts. Just when you thought it was to label them, the Beatnuts show you that hip-hop ain’t all about grit & grime on the hilarious interlude “Spelling Beatnuts” with Lil’ Donny. They keep the fun, energetic vibe goin’ with tracks like “Turn It Out” (featuring the legendary Greg Nice) and the tunnel banger “Watch Out Now”. They also take an introspective look at the socio-economic deterioration of America with Dead Prez and Cheryl “Pepsi” Riley on “Look Around”. Once again, Queens’ latino deadly duo does it to you; proving that they can’t pegged or stopped, for that matter.

-Kevin

TRACK LISTING
1. Intro
2. Beatnuts Forever – feat. Triple Seis and Marlon “Perro” Manson
3. Muchachacha – feat. Willie Stubz and Swinger
4. I Love It
5. Slam Pit – feat. Cuban Link and Common
6. Wild, Wild, What!
7. Look Around – feat. Dead Prez and Cheryl Pepsi Riley
8. Cocotaso – feat. Tony Touch
9. Monster For Music
10. Spelling Beatnuts With Lil’ Donny
11. Puffin’ On A Cloud
12. Turn It Out – feat. Greg Nice
13. Rated R – feat. Nogoodus
14. Who You’re F**kin’ Wit
15. Story 2000 – feat. Patrick Blazy
16. Watch Out Now
17. You’re A Clown – feat. Biz Markie and Tyler Fernandez
18. Buddah In The Air – feat. Carl Thomas and Gob Boblin of the No Goodus
19. Se Acabo (It’s Over) – feat. Magic Juan from Proyecto Uno and Swinger