X-Raided – Psycho Active

Album info

Released in 1992 under Black Market Records, “Psycho Active” by X-Raided is a seminal album in the gangsta rap and horrorcore subgenres. A step up from his underground EP debut, this album was professionally produced, yet retained X-Raided’s distinct raw and gritty style that was reminiscent of life on the streets of Sacramento.

Divided into two thematic sections, “Nigga Shit” and “Psycho Shit,” the album presents a grim, explicit portrayal of urban struggles and the dark aspects of the human psyche. “Tha Murder” serves as a brief but atmospheric intro that establishes the dark, violent undertones of the album. Tracks like “Still Shooting” and “Call Tha Guardz” showcase X-Raided’s lyrical prowess as he paints vivid, unsettling scenes laced with social commentary. “Who’s Tha Hoe?” and “Crazy Than A Mutha Fuck” make a return from his debut EP, this time refined to fit the album’s intense soundscape.

The “Psycho Shit” section delves even deeper into the mind of X-Raided. The standout track, “Fuckin Wit A Psycho,” is a six-minute saga that exemplifies the horrorcore style with its explicit lyrics and chilling beats. “Bitch Killa” and “Everybody Killa” maintain the macabre atmosphere, while “Shoot Cha In A Minute” serves as an ominous warning to adversaries. “That Sickness,” featuring an ensemble cast including Big-O, Lynch, Cyco, Kaos, and Young Meek, closes out the album in a collective flourish of grim storytelling.

The album’s production is notably helmed by Tha Brotha Lynch Hung for most of the tracks, with Cedsing contributing to the final track “That Sickness.” Executive producers Micko Your and Robert Foster and chief administrator Cedric Singleton further add their expertise, making “Psycho Active” a well-crafted project.

The album not only serves as a cornerstone for X-Raided’s career but also for the horrorcore subgenre, influencing a generation of artists who would embrace its dark themes and visceral storytelling. With its unflinching look at the bleaker corners of life and the human mind, “Psycho Active” remains a significant piece in the mosaic of early ’90s West Coast hip-hop.