Various – Capitol City Players

Album info

Released at the turn of the millennium under the Big Game Records label, “Capitol City Players” serves as a testament to the vitality and diversity of Gangsta rap in the year 2000. This CD compilation delivers a roster of underground talent, with a remarkable focus on the artist Lo Lo Luciano, who also takes the role of Executive Producer for the project.

Kicking off with “West Coast Dealers,” Marvaless, Lo Lo, and Young Nutt join forces to deliver a booming anthem that pays homage to the West Coast, setting the stage for the raw energy that permeates the album. Songs like “Situations” featuring Lo Lo, Young Ridah, D-Mack, and Nutcase, delve into the complexities of life in the street, capturing the moral gray areas that many face.

Tracks like “Ain’t Nuthin’ Changed” by Mic-C, Young Nutt, Lo Lo, and D-Mack fuse old school hip-hop beats with the contemporary ethos of the Gangsta rap genre, creating an enthralling amalgamation of styles. This willingness to experiment is also evident in “Who’s The Enemy,” a collaborative effort from Lo Lo, Mic-C, and Mac-A-Hoe, which ponders questions of loyalty and betrayal against a gritty backdrop.

“Real Predictaments” featuring Lo Lo, Greedy, Young Nutt, Ese Joker, and Nutcase, is another standout that captures the desperation and uncertainty that come with living a high-stakes lifestyle. The track “Get Em Up” by Louie Loc and Lo Lo makes no apologies for its aggressiveness, serving as a battle cry that’s bound to energize its listeners.

“North High Ridahs” gathers an ensemble cast that includes Caucasian, Young Nutt, D-Mack, Mic-C, and Ridah. It encapsulates the ethos of the compilation, serving as a declaration of pride and resilience. The project closes with a Radio Mix of “No Ones Gonna Plug U,” giving a mainstream touch to an otherwise edgy album.

Overall, “Capitol City Players” is an unfiltered look into the soul of late ’90s, early 2000s Gangsta rap, combining elements of realism, philosophy, and pure lyrical skill into a potent mix. Produced by a trio of capable hands, Hollis, H-Wood, and Steve Lambert, this compilation captures a moment in time when the streets spoke, and the world listened.