Rappin' 4-Tay Albums (6)
'Introduction to Mackin''
Release Date 10/26/1999
Tracks 16
Label Celeb
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Though given Rappin' 4-Tay's decade in the rap game, fans hardly need an Introduction to Mackin', the album turns out to be one of his best yet. Part of the reason is the great cast of guest appearances -- Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Daz, Frost, Jayo Felony -- but it's also due to 4-Tay himself, who provides a focus for each track, lends his production skills to the music-making, and wraps his rhymes around quite a few compelling grooves. It's nowhere near perfect, but Introduction to Mackin' is more than just another played-out gangsta fairytale. ~ Keith Farley, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A product of the San Francisco Bay Area rap scene, Rappin' 4-Tay is known for his associations with Too Short and the late Tupac Shakur, and sadly, he's also known for serving prison and jail terms on various charges, some drug-related. In fact, 4-Tay had been locked up in San Quentin Prison when Off Parole came out in 1996 and sold over 300,000 units. A positive and congenial tone defines 4-Tay's fourth album, 4 Tha Hard Way, which favors melodic, R&B-flavored tracks. "Lay Ya Gunz Down" and "Element of Surprize" lament the type of crime and violence he'd seen too much of among young Black men, and on the thoughtful "Ain't Nobody Coachin'," 4-Tay urges hip-hoppers to do everything they can to coach and help younger rappers. This decent but not remarkable CD made listeners hope that 4-Tay would heed his own advice and stay out of trouble. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
'Don't Fight the Feelin''
Release Date 1/1/1994
Tracks 16
Label Chrysalis
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
After a strong debut on his own label, Rappin' 4-Tay's second record only increased the profile of the strongest rapper in the second wave of Bay Area hip-hop. 4-Tay sounded equally smooth and confident on laid-back party jams (the rolling "Playaz Club," one of his best tracks, and "Dank Season"), but really raised it up a notch with his tougher gangsta material ("I'll Be Around," "Keep One in the Chamba"). Franky J's productions contributed a lot as well, syrupy and flowing like most of the West Coast G-funk tracks, but much more dynamic than the usual. Guest rhymers included JT the Bigga Figga, Fly, and Sef the Gaffla, with beats coming from RBL Posse's Black C and J-Mack, among others. On his future material, Rappin' 4-Tay would return to the same types of tracks he did here, but he never did better than "Playaz Club" and "I'll Be Around." ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
