DJ Clue? Albums (5)
'The Professional, Pt. 3'
Release Date 5/23/2006
Tracks 18
Label Def Jam
See Album Tracklist and Review
'The Professional, Pt. 2'
Release Date 12/19/2000
Tracks 23
Label Roc-A-Fella
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Mixtape DJs have sure come a long way over the years, and no one knows that better than DJ Clue? The NY-based spinner got his start peddling mixtapes on the streets. A few years later, his album The Professional, Pt. 2 hit the Billboard Top Ten album chart. Looking at the list of artists on Clue?'s play list, it's easy to see why the album has had such success. This time out, Clue? enlisted the likes of Jay-Z, DMX, Beanie Sigel, Redman, Nas, Foxy Brown, Trick Daddy, and Eminem among many others. What is likely to draw the attention of hip-hop fans are the exclusive tracks on the album, including "Change the Game (Remix)," which mixes artists from both coasts such as tha Dogg Pound, Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, and Memphis Bleek. Another exclusive track is "What the Beat" with Method Man, Eminem, and Royce da 5'9". Also impressive are "Live From the Bridge" by Nas and "The Best of Queens" by Mobb Deep. While there aren't any dead spots on the album, The Professional, Pt. 2 suffers in comparison to some of Clue?'s other mixtapes because he plays it safe, relying too heavily on big-name rappers. One of the joys of a good mixtape is discovering new artists alongside more established ones, but Clue? offers too few opportunities to check out something new. Also annoying is Clue?'s habit of shouting over all of the tracks. While it's common for mixtape DJs to shout and give shoutouts over tracks, Clue? takes it to an extreme. There is a lot to like about The Professional, Pt. 2. He should let the music speak for itself. ~ Jon Azpiri, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Now rolling with Roc-A-Fella y'all, Clue?'s days of slinging tapes on your neighborhood corner are all but over. Recognized worldwide for reinventing the art of the mixtape, Clue? enlisted some of hip-hop's biggest guns for his major-label debut. Aiding Clue? in his quest for the Clueminati, Nas revisits his Illmatic roots with "Queensfinest." The pairing of Cam'Ron, Big Pun, Noreaga, and Canibus on "Fantastic Four" is worth mentioning solely for the hypnotic verse Canibus delivers. Jayhovah touches down, lending his labelmate a hand, combining forces with Ja-Rule for some "Gangsta Shit." Mobb Deep and Big Noyd are at it once again on "The Professional," as they are merciless on a fiery, violin-laced number from Vic. Meanwhile, EPMD and the Def Squad play hot potato on "It's My Thang '99" and Raekwon lends his lyrical swordmanship to "Brown Paper Bag Thoughts." Like any mixtape or soundtrack, you have to accept the good and bad with a grain of salt. Clue? makes feeble attempts to refresh cuts like "That's the Way" featuring Mase, Foxy, and Fabolous Sport and "I Like Control" featuring Missy, Mocha, and Nicole Wray, leaving them virtually untouched. Clue? definitely knows how to move the crowd and does serve up another installment of exclusive material, but he implements little of the turntable manipulation that makes DJs so vital to the art of hip-hop. As Pete Rock stated ever so eloquently, "This I dedicate to those mixtapes I hate/Exclusive sh*t/It holds no weight/Put your skills on the plate/Backspin to '88." ~ Matt Conaway, All Music Guide
