Sorry, Goodie Mob was a hip hip quartet that rose to prominence during the mid nineties. Today, they're simply known as Cee-Lo Greens rap group. He was undoubtably the breakout star, but there were still three other members. They were all members of the legendary collective Dungeon Family, alongside producers Organized Noise, the obscure Parental Advisory, and Outkast, one of the greatest duos of all time. Outside of Scarface, they had the only rappers to contribute anything positive to the South. I'm sure that's an ignorant overstatement, but who the fuck honestly cares. Goodie Mob consists of star crooner Cee-Lo, and Big Grip. They got their first push on Outkast's Southernplayalastickcadillacmuzik, (the most frustrating album name I've ever heard. I'll admit that it is fun to say after you decipher it) on the song "Git Up, Git Out". I'm not sure how it happened, but somewhere down the line of these recording sessions, they added two more members. Khujo and T-Mo were quickly inducted, but never remembered for anything more than their association with the group.
The groups name has always weirded me out. Say it out loud and someone will probably think you're talking about some weird ass candy store next to a Mexican grocery. Maybe that's just me. In one of these songs, they say that if you convolute the name enough, it eventually forms GOOD DIe Mostly Over Bullshit. I don't want to start any controversy, but if you thought they had that in mind whenever they created the name, I want whatever you're smoking.
If you're a big fan of Outkast, you may want to proceed with caution. While Big Boi and Andre were rhyming about hoes and being pimps, Goodie Mob chose to go in the complete opposite direction. Racism and politic are the underlining theme, but that was still common during that age of rap. Even though those themes dominate the album, they can still pull an Outkast, releasing a fun and lighthearted song. Outkast could also pull a Goodie Mob, so they complemented each other to perfection. Now imagine how great the Dungeon Family would have been if any of the other members did shit.
I was shocked to see that Soul Food has actually been certified as a gold album. Other than making Cee-Lo a star, this might have made enough money for the other members to quit their day jobs. Since, its all but fallen into obscurity to the normal population. Cee-Lo has all but made a joke out of himself, appearing as a judge on the voice and joing Gnarles Barkely with Dangermouse. (That is still weird to think) adding insult to injury, his single "Fuck You" sold more copies than every Goodie Mob album combined. I'd like to say I'm excited to hear their new album, but I'm relatively scared to see what they've cooked up. Just not repeat World Party and I should be good.
But that's for another day...
1. Free
We've gone through this process enough times for you to know that I'm always happy whenever there's not an intro. That's only half the case here. It is technically an intro, but its just a minute an a half of Cee-Lo's singing. He has one if the worlds most distinctive voices and apparently its always been like that. His music may be terrible today, but he's never lost his ability to sing beautiful. Ehh, I dug this track.
2. Thought Process (Feat. Andre 300 & Joi)
Goodie Mob chooses to bring the same vibe that was on "Git Up, Git Out". A safe move, but one that ultimately works. The biggest surprise to a new listener will be Cee-Lo's rapping, which is actually really damn good. The instrumental is mellow as hell, but works for the most part, although I'll do wish they would have brought some harder hitting drums. C'mon guys, you want to make an impression on the first real track. This is a good track until Andre shows up. Three stacks rips his verse into shreds, making this a great song. Hell, he even makes the beat disappear.
3. Red Dog
A twenty-three second skit, which is one of the longer ones on the album. Oh yeah, it's one of those kind of albums. Might have been some political statement here, but I couldn't really bring myself to care.
4. Dirty South (Feat. Big Boi & Cool Breeze)
With a lineup like that, this song could accidentally be awesome. Thankfully everyone seems to put in some effort, making this song one of the best on the album. Big Boi has always been in the shadow of Andre, but I would argue he was close to the same level in terms of rapping ability. Yes, Andre is still the better artist, though. I'd really like to know what the hell happened to Cool Breeze. I swear some of these rappers just fall of the face of the earth. The beats pretty nice on here too, completely the total package of being a good song.
5. Cell Therapy
I may not have grown up with any of this music, but I was familiar with Outkast way before Goodie Mob. After discovering their debut disc, I eventually branched out to Cee-Lo's group based off the strength of "Git Up, Get Out". Since this was the first single of theirs, this was the first sing I checked out. I wasn't fully with the G-Funk southern rap at that point, so I wasn't feeling this at all. Eventually my senses came around and I realized how good this song really is. This is also the first time I realized how damn dark this shit sounds. Man, I was exposed to too much shit as a child.
6. Sesame Street
I never cared for this track. It sounds all too similar to the rest of the songs and has no distinguishable characteristic. The verse from the Cookie Monster was entertains as shit, but the hook was equally terrible. It may have seemed like I was trashing Khujo and T-Mo earlier, but their rapping is just as good as the other two members. If anything, the emotion in their voice is admirably. Still, the overall boringness of this song means I can't co-sign it.
7. Guess Who
As a costum of rappers who pretend to be emotional, this is a track dedicated to Cee-Lo's late mother. I've never been a fan of these, but I actually love this song. There's something about it that doesn't seem completely forced and contrived. Just as a fair warning, we may have more than a couple disagreements whenever we reach the discography of Tupac Shakur. I'll get my ass ripped if I develop a bigger audience by then. So, spread the word and post these reviews if you want to see me get verbally evisserated by overly attached Pac fans. I welcome it!
8. Serenity Prayer
Not long enough for me to formulate a feeling towards it...
9. Fighting (Feat. Joi)
Were back on track after one of several unneeded skits. This isn't all that memorable, but I enjoy it. The verses are your normal ass ripping with Big Gipp providing my favorite performance. The beat is what separates this from the rest of the pack. I think that's the sound of crickets chirping in the back ground. There's something soothing about hearing these angry ass guys rhyming over such a peaceful sound. This eventually leads up to a campfire setting where one of the members talks about his rights as a black male. He brings up good points, but I wasn't interested.
10. Blood
Only a minute long, but I wouldn't classify it as a skit. Cee-Lo again shows that he could rap at one point in his life, but apparently he couldn't hold into a thought. Would've been cool if they made the topic into a full length song.
11. Live At The O.M.N.I.
I don't know if this was actually performed live, but it was one of me least favorite songs either way. Big Gipp's verse is really nice, but that all its got. While the beat fits into the context of the boring, it bored me. This albums been pretty damn great so far, but it might be time for a change of pace. We're reaching the point where these songs would sound excellent by themselves, but blend into the surrounding songs. Not terrible, though.
12. Goodie Bag
I had to go look this up to make sure, but this was never released as a single. That's surprising, as I was familiar with the song before I ever heard the album. The title may have some connection with my candy store analogy, but I'm not making any statements I can back up. Never mind, what the fuck is a damn Goodie Bad. Anyways, Cee-Lo is far and away the best performer here. He summons hs inner Cappadonna (that may be my favorite thing I've ever types out) and rap for what seems like thirty seven minutes. For the record, that would be longer than Run The Jewels.
13. Soul Food
Another weird case where the title song is actually good. The lyrics are extremely vivid while they all describe the food at their dinner table. There's a deeper meaning to all that but I like to think of this as an ode to their favorite cuisines. The beat comes off even more understated than the rest of the album, giving a clear spot for the group to beautifully sing the hook. The theme is to show them in a vulnerable position, which is a lot less awkward than I made it sound. This apparently lets them get in touch with their sensitive side, hence the awesome hook. This song summarizes everything Goodie Mob is about.
14. Funeral
These skits just continue to get more useless.
15. I Didn't Ask To Come
Ok guys, this is not the time to start getting lazy with the delivery. It could have been better but all is make better by the amazing beat. Not all that apparent, but this is the closest thing to a tempo change we're going to get. I still think the vocals could have been sharper, but that doesn't diminish any of the lyrics. Great storytelling and message, but Cee-Lo's rapping is again the highlight of the song. Damn, I'm impressed. I might check out Age Against The Machine just to see how his rapping has held up.
16. Rico
Another skit just in time. I wish I wasn't using sarcasm, but my god this is getting absurd. Rico Wade from the Organized Noize crew makes an appearence, but doesn't make the song any more unneeded.
17. The Coming (Feat. Witchdoctor)
The last of three singles brings back the concept of having guest appearences. The tempo stays up beat, building upon the last track. That's impressive, as there's skits separating half the fucking songs. A lot of this reminds me of Outkasts later work. Considering the success of this album and their close relationship, this song may have had something to do with ATLiens sounding the way it does. Witchdoctor was annoying as hell, but not bad enough to ruin the song. One day I'm going to write a book about weed carriers and their role in hip hop. Its safe to say this particular one won't make the cut.
18. Cee Lo
Another fucking skit! I was joking about them separating each track, but that's exactly what's happening. I'm sure De La Soul is loving this right now.
19. The Day After (Feat. Roni)
Not my favorite track, but a great way to end your debut album. All the rappers take one last chance to get all emotional and talk to their fans. The beat has moved back to a lower tempo, which gives the album a sense on closure. That's to be expected, as this is one of the most cohesive albums I've every heard. I'm not even slightly familiar with Roni, but she does a fantastic job on the hook. Peaceful song that's ends Soul Food on a high note.
Rating: 4/5
Take away all the skit and we have a perfect album. People love to call Soul Food a response to Outkast's debut, but that's not accurate. Instead of fighting the pimps and hoes, Goodie Mob joins their Dungeon Family brothers and make a companion piece. Both albums are on par with each other, but this has the better production. Every beat perfectly fits the theme of the song, but never takes the shine away from the rappers. Southernplayalastickcadillacmuzi is the winner in the rap category. Big Boi and Andre were both amazing, while I was constantly left wanting for Cee-Lo and Big Gipp. Khujo and T-Mo aren't terrible, but I can't help to think this album would have been better had they not been involved. Its essential you check out Cee-Lo's rapping on here. His singing is just as good as it is now, but you'll be shocked at how good his rhymes are. In fact, you have to buy this entire album. That's not a suggestion, its a must. If you haven't caught on yet, four stars is kind of a big deal and this album hold up very nicely. Enjoy this while I work up the courage to listen to their new album.