| Product Summary | | Label: Uni/interscope | | UPC: 00606949062521 | | Release Date: 7/4/2000 | | Buy.com Sku: 60398210 | | Item#: MLRJL2 | | Buy.com Sales Rank: 25140 | Format:  CD |
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(P) 2000 Interscope Geffen (A&M) Records A Division of UMG Recordings Inc.
(C) 2000 Interscope Records
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| | Album Notes and Credits |
Notes & Personnel Info |  | Ruff Ryders: DMX, Eve, The Lox, Drag-On, Parle. | | Producers includes: Swizz Beatz II, Icepick, T.J. Beatz, Mahogany, Tod Cheek. | | Ruff Ryders: DMX, Eve, The Lox, Drag-On, Parle. | | Producers includes: Swizz Beatz II, Icepick, T.J. Beatz, Mahogany, Tod Cheek. | | Audio Mixers: Chris Theis; Tony Masserati; Rich Keller. | | Recording information: Battery Studios; Chung King Studios, New York, NY; Enterprise, Los Angeles, CA; Powerhouse Studios; sony Music Studios; The Hit Factory Miami; The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, CA. | | Editor: Chris Theis. | | The far-ranging stable of rappers on the second Ryde or Die volume ensures a diversity album of rapping styles, while the patented Ruff Ryders style of production throughout makes it a surprisingly consistent listen. Once again, producer Swizz Beatz steals the spotlight with his garish synth-powered rhythms, while the other producers -- TJ Beatz, P. Killer Trackz, Teflon, and Mahogany -- second his signature style. There are moments when the music overshadows the rappers, reaffirming the reasons why Swizz Beatz became such a renowned producer ("Holiday" and "2 Tears in a Bucket" in particular come to mind), and there are moments when his fellow producers lay down equally stunning soundscapes, particularly "Weed, Hoes, Dough" and "Got It All" by Teflon and "Go Head" by TJ Beatz. Yet there are also moments when Beatz's music almost goes too far with its excessive synth use, like on "WW III" and "Friday Night." In addition to the noteworthy production on the album, there is also some stunning rapping by the album's superstars -- Method Man ("2 Years in a Bucket"), Snoop Dogg ("WW III"), and Busta Rhymes ("Friday Night") -- along with some impressive performances by up-and-coming rappers in the Ruff Ryders stable: Drag-On's "Weed, Hoes, Dough" and Jadakiss' "My Name Is Kiss." There are a few disappointing moments such as DMX's mediocre "The Great," the awkward chorus in "Friday Night," and the questionable synth gaudiness, but these moments are seldom. ~ Jason Birchmeier | | The Ruff Ryders clique has spawned such acts as DMX, The Lox, and Eve, but it was their first collaborative effort RYDE OR DYE VOL. I that marked their territory as a powerful hip-hop crew. They return with the follow-up RYDE OR DYE VOL. II to reestablish themselves as the collective that just won't stop. | | Under the direction of producer Swizz Beatz, the Ruff Ryders rip the tracks like hungry rappers still looking for a record deal. The album showcases more new artists this time around, but remains heavy on the superstars, with artists such as the Ruff Ryders' own DMX as well as guests like Method Man & Redman contributing a track. With hits like Eve & Jadakiss' "Got it All," and Styles' solo effort "Holiday," the Ruff Ryders prove why they've come so far. | | The Ruff Ryders clique has spawned such acts as DMX, The Lox, and Eve, but it was their first collaborative effort RYDE OR DYE VOL. I that marked their territory as a powerful hip-hop crew. They return with the follow-up RYDE OR DYE VOL. II to reestablish themselves as the collective that just won't stop. | | Under the direction of producer Swizz Beatz, the Ruff Ryders rip the tracks like hungry rappers still looking for a record deal. The album showcases more new artists this time around, but remains heavy on the superstars, with artists such as the Ruff Ryders' own DMX as well as guests like Method Man & Redman contributing a track. With hits such as Eve & Jadakiss' "Got it All," and Styles' solo effort "Holiday," the Ruff Ryders prove why they've come so far. |
Producer: Todd Cheek; Swizz Beatz; Teflon |
Engineer: E-Plugg; Chris Theis; Carlisle Young |
Musical Guests | | Scarface | | Jadakiss | | Method Man | | Redman | | Trick Daddy | | Busta Rhymes | | Snoop Dogg | | Yung Wun | | Sheek | | Larsiny | | Styles | | Drag-On | | Swizz | | Twista | | The Lox | | DMX | | Parle |
| | Compilation Appearances |
| | Technical Info | | Release Date : 07/04/2000 | | Original Release Date : 2000 | | Catalog ID : 490625 | | Label : Interscope Records (USA) | | Number of Discs : 1 | | Studio/Live : Studio | | Mono/Stereo : Stereo | | SPAR Code : n/a | | UPC : 00606949062521 |
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| | Professional Reviews | | Rolling Stone (7/20/00, pp.140-1)
- 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...Hardcore hip-hop that's shiny as ice and as street as cement. There are superstar tracks from Eve and DMX. But studio Svengali Swizz Beatz is the real star here....bouncing like Mannie Fresh on mushrooms..."Rolling Stone (7/20/00, pp.140-1)
- 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...Hardcore hip-hop that's shiny as ice and as street as cement. There are superstar tracks from Eve and DMX. But studio Svengali Swizz Beatz is the real star here....bouncing like Mannie Fresh on mushrooms..." Entertainment Weekly (7/7/00, pp.128-9)
- "...Revels in the hard-Glock life....[They] present themselves as businesslike urban soldiers whose primary goal...is to fill as many body bags as possible....The beats are like staccato blasts of an Uzi, the choruses...are burly shout-outs..." - Rating: B Entertainment Weekly (7/7/00, pp.128-9)
- "...Revels in the hard-Glock life....[They] present themselves as businesslike urban soldiers whose primary goal...is to fill as many body bags as possible....The beats are like staccato blasts of an Uzi, the choruses...are burly shout-outs..." - Rating: B CMJ (7/24/00, p.30)
- "...Proves why Swizz Beatz is one of the most imaginative producers in the game....Elastic rhythms and twisted grooves are sprawled across this set..." CMJ (7/24/00, p.30)
- "...Proves why Swizz Beatz is one of the most imaginative producers in the game....Elastic rhythms and twisted grooves are sprawled across this set..." Vibe (8/00, p.164)
- "...Displays an angrier, darker side....offering solo spots and showcases fresh talent....Fans of VOL.1 may be surprised by the album's rougher tone...a strong showing." Vibe (8/00, p.164)
- "...Displays an angrier, darker side....offering solo spots and showcases fresh talent....Fans of VOL.1 may be surprised by the album's rougher tone...a strong showing." The Source (8/00, p.232)
- "...From beginning to end, the album's production intoxicates....delivering some jewels to hip-hop." The Source (8/00, p.232)
- "...From beginning to end, the album's production intoxicates....delivering some jewels to hip-hop." Rap Pages (8-9/00, p.106)
- "...Swizz Beatz flips his innovative production skills....'Twisted Heat' features Drag-on spittin' rapid bars alongside Twista's hybrad flow over tempo changes and all..." - Rating: A Rap Pages (8-9/00, p.106)
- "...Swizz Beatz flips his innovative production skills....'Twisted Heat' features Drag-on spittin' rapid bars alongside Twista's hybrad flow over tempo changes and all..." - Rating: A |
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