The growing influx of new hip-hop artists has caused hip-hop music, as a whole, to become watered-down. The flood of new material released over the last few years has caused a tidal wave of devastating proportions. In an effort to increase volume and capitalize on sales profits, artists are rushing to release albums much more quickly. Unfortunately, this process blindly disregards the key factor in success: 'quality.'

Mobb Deep and Nas are the two prime examples. Over the last few years, their albums have lacked the finesse of their early works. Now, in 2002, with Jay-z acting as the catalyst, they have both released albums worthy of praise. Call me naοve, but I think that Jay-z recognized their potential and also recognized their recent shortcomings. Jay-z's disses seem to have worked, as fires once again burn bright in the eyes of street rappers, Mobb Deep on their latest album, Infamy.

The first single, 'The Learning (Burn)' is as hot as its title implies. I can't get enough of it! 'Nothing Like Home' reaches deep and delivers strong. Disappointingly, the second single, 'Hey Luv,' seems like the antithesis of this whole album. 112's pop/R&B chorus is as soft as this album is hard.

Infamy is a solid street rap album. Both the beats and rhymes are hard. Mobb Deep's lyrical content isn't as prolific as that of Nas, but that's to be expected. Overall, the album was above average and enjoyable. This album contains real thug rap, so don't expect any buttered up pop hop.

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