Father MC Albums (5)
What The Critics Say
In a genre where the average shelf life of an MC is less than two records (three at most), Father MC deserves special recognition for his longevity and commitment to the game. But after a three-year hiatus and yet another jump to a different label, My isn't exactly the stuff strong comebacks are made of. Aside from the title track, there isn't anything necessarily outstanding or anything that jumps out during the hour-long jaunt through Father's testimony to his city. The usual wide range of topics -- including partying, hustling, and lust for women -- is covered, and once again the ever-special obligatory dedication track to mama is present. It's not a bad record by any stretch, but longevity does not equate with quality and one can't help but wonder what would have happened if he would have taken a little more time and crafted My with a little more attention to overall production. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In the 21st century, rap and R&B are seriously joined at the hip. Urban contemporary singers go out of their way to feature major rappers, and even the most hardcore MCs employ R&B singers on their recordings. But it wasn't always that way. In the '80s, hip-hop encountered a great deal of resistance in R&B circles, and many hardcore rappers wanted nothing to do with R&B. Father MC did his part to change that. Like Whodini, Salt-N-Pepa, the Fresh Prince, Heavy D, and Young MC before him, Father envisioned a style of hip-hop that was commercial, unthreatening, R&B-drenched, and pop-friendly, but not lightweight or bland; arguably, his new jack swing-minded albums of the early '90s were the rap equivalent of Bobby Brown or Keith Sweat. While Close to You is hardly the work of a hip-hop purist, this 1992 release demonstrates that pop-rap can have integrity. Yes, the CD is full of urban contemporary slickness and romantic themes (as opposed to battle rhymes or hard-hitting tales of thug life in the 'hood), but Father's rapping skills are never in doubt; he flows with plenty of confidence, and his East Coast rhyming technique is consistently impressive. Close to You underscores the fact that not all pop-rap is created equal. The rhyming skills of some pop-rappers have been limited at best -- Vanilla Ice immediately comes to mind -- while the more substantial ones (Salt-N-Pepa, the Fresh Prince, Heavy D) have had no problem getting their flow on. Clearly, Father MC falls into the latter category, and his impact was enormous in the early '90s. Father's 1990 debut, Father's Day, is widely regarded as his most important and essential release, but Close to You was a solid, enjoyable follow-up for the Bronx native. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Before Puffy, Mary J., and the rest of the blingers went off to successful chart domination, there was Father MC. Perfecting the marriage of soul, R&B, and rap into a successful formula, Father's Day was not only important, it was a litmus test that launched the careers of both aforementioned artists -- as Combs was head producer and Blige made her musical debut as a background singer. Leading off with the new jack classic "I'll Do 4 U," it's immediately apparent that the trio was onto something big. Unfortunately, the rest of the album becomes somewhat formulaic after this point, but the impact of Father's Day's tone and textures would be felt for years to come. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide
