Clipse - Exclusive Audio Footage

Clipse
Exclusive Audio Footage
Elektra
Production: The Neptunes
3 1/2 mics

Chances are the average hip-hop listener doesn't know too much about Clipse. Why? First of all, the two-man team hails from Virginia, and outside of Mad Skillz and the various members of Missy and Timbaland's camp, there aren't too many MCs reppin' VA. Secondly, they haven't been thrown in your face by guest appearing on every record from East to West like most debut rappers these days. Individually known as Malice and Terrar, Clipse provide a delightful deviation from the normal overdose of clutter flooding the current hip-hop market on their first trip through hip-hop orbit, "Exclusive Audio Footage". Various references to outer space and Star Trek invite comparisons to Outkast's "ATLiens," but Clipse quickly establish their own identity through their concept-driven lyrics and original, fast-paced rhyme style. You've already seen the highly stylized and very creative video for "The Funeral," on which the two tell of their demise in the past tense. But check "Hostage," where their lyrics race the track while the two rappers meta- phorically describe a hip-hop hostage situation with the hostage being anyone - from the wack rapper to the playa hater to the street enemy. On "Stick Girl," Malice and Terrar put an interesting twist on checking a mistress who doesn't seem to understand what purpose she serves. With production handled exclusively by The Neptunes (responsible for Noreaga's "Superthug"), the beats on this debut sound so different they further distinguish the VA-based production duo's sound from the competition. On "Power," they combine a repetitive bass music- reminiscent snare drum with a regal horn. Songs like "You Don't Even Know" and "Feel Like Me," both with catchy sing-songy choruses, are sure to have long lives simply because of their club potential. Of course, an album with 21 cuts is bound to have a few mediocre moments. "Bodysnatchers" and "Wild Cowboy," for example, just don't live up to Clipse's potential. But even on those tracks, the music comes across so uniquely it doesn't seem to hurt the album at all. Although the blood brothers more than establish themselves as lyrically and conceptually adept song- writers, the production on "Exclusive Audio Footage" really makes this first effort worth a listener's hard- earned dollars.