Raw Sylk - Sylk-E. Fyne

As one of the stable of Grand Jury artists, Sylk-E. Fyne doesn't necessarily stand out from the pack that much. Essentially, she's the Grand Jury equivalent of Foxy Brown, only without the explicit, near-pornographic sex appeal. Musically, however, her debut album Raw Sylk is in the same vein. Working with producers Gerald Baillergeau and Victor Merritt, Sylk-E. has created a polished record that keeps one eye on the streets and one on the charts. There are hard-hitting gangsta tracks, including a duet with Too $hort, but they're balanced by pop-oriented tracks designed for crossover airplay. As a result, Raw Sylk never quite forms its own identity, and it's loaded with filler, but the best moments -- namely singles like "Romeo & Juliet" -- are very good contemporary hip-hop, helping make the album a promising debut. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide