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Album Review: Screwball

By Alan Yang, Crimson Staff Writer

MUSIC

Screwball

Y2K (Tommy Boy)

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Of the Queensbridge, N.Y.'s rap supergroup Screwball's "Who Shot Rudy?", New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani had this to say: "I do not consider it one of the better songs of the year." Not surprising, as the song centers around a fictionalized assassination of a certain iron-fisted, tight-lipped future Senate candidate. Screwball is part of the Queensbridge Housing Projects' (not to be confused with Queens) hip-hop legacy, which includes standouts like Mobb Deep and Nas. Its four members pull no punches lyrically, but the hard-knockin' beats and surprisingly melodic riffs are like spoonfuls of sugar that help the violent gangsta-speak go down, while guest stars like Prodigy and Biz Markie add street credibility and variety. "The Heat is On" and yes, "Who Shot Rudy?" are standout tracks in terms of pure catchiness, and an honorable mention goes to first single "F.A.Y.B.A.N." (an acronym that stands for a string of unprintable expletives).

It may be argued that there is excessive crudity and violence in Screwball's music, but Y2K smacks of a certain gritty reality. Writing about such 'hood horrors no doubt serves as a release for anger and frustration; in the end, who can blame Screwball for rapping about what they know? B+

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