One look at their name, and it is obvious this NYC trio is all about offering an alternative to your average hip-hop. Furthermore, with their emcee monikers of Shred Lexicon and Phon-X, most would figure a dictionary is a required supplement for listening to these cats. Don’t get it twisted though, they aren’t the pretentious types who spend all their time trying to show they are smarter than you. RHP may be a vocabulary more extensive than your average thug, but that is because they have a lot more to say.
“Dog Fight” is just the second album from RHP, and already they have made major strides. While “Rat Race Vacation” was good (garnering praise from none other than Chuck D), it was far less polished than this offering. Phon-X once again produced the bulk of the album, which is where most significant improvements take place. Maintaining their unique sound, the beats are thick and layered. “Saloon Funk,” “Anthem Eater” and “Grand Illusion” are the finest examples. The latter is really dope, really original, and the best display of what Regenerated Headpiece offers hip-hop.
Surprisingly, the albums standout cut features the simplest production. Representing our generation of rebels against the 9 to 5, “Escape From Slavecamp” is an ill delivery of their frustrations as members of the working class. Forget the production for a minute though, lyrics are the bread and butter of RHP. Right from the jump, the first verse of the album: “You wanna provoke?/watch my nose spit smoke/my clothes rip like hulk/lyrical quotes/align rhymes with musical notes/is this a beautiful hoax or an atrocious reality?/I know my question has got you perplexed when/I look into your eyes and see my reflection.” Dope.
“Dog Fight” does suffer from a few afflictions though, the hooks being the biggest problem. They range from being bad to okay, with the title track being about the worst. Aside from that, and some increased consistency in the production, the album is quite an enjoyable one. Great rhymes, original beats, and crafty turntablism…underground heads don’t ask for much more.
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6/10
