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On Blaq Butta-Phly’s debut, the eastside Detroit native melds Tupac’s flow and pathos with Lil’ Kim’s frank sex talk. She emerges as a competent MC with standard-issue contradictory content and a commanding, albeit derivative, flow.
On “The Hell With My Life” Ms. Butta-Phly suggests that her life is worthless if it’s not right with God. Later, on “Lay on the Ground” Blaq asserted her willingness to rob people. I don’t personally know God, but from I’ve read, I don’t think he takes kindly to armed robbery.
The chorus announces to potential victims, “This is a robbery, not a homicide” Well, that’s good to know. Then Blaq explains why she got the toast to your noggin: “Good intentions, never followed through ... had to borrow from Pete just pay Paul/ fucked-up window shopping at the local mall/ but Miss Jones, over there seems to buy it all/ and Michael Jordan made mils playing basketball .../ share your wealth, stingy ass, never gave a dime/ Now I’m taking yours and its about time.”
Instead of robbing accomplished (presumably black) people, why not ask how they achieved? Take advice, not ice.
But the record has it moments. Blaq softens her delivery on “Truth or Dare,” and deftly details a steamy tryst with lines like, “Patio, front porch, drive-in/ basement, swimming pool, dive in.” But generally, Blaq’s fairly impressive microphone presence is squandered on painfully tired tales of pimping, materialism and amorality. Offering a unique perspective or at least a unique spin on the familiar will help Blaq distinguish herself in the future.
E-mail Noah B. Stephens at letters@metrotimes.com.
