Mystikal - Unpredictable

Don't mistake the rollicking, cantankerous, belligerent, and scattershot verbal delivery of Mystikal as a marker of ignorance. Behind those layers of verbal masking lies some of the most insightful and capable lyricism coming out of the entire No Limit camp. Not that that's a high bar to cross, but Mystikal is apt to fall into the cracks, too easily dismissed as a vocal novelty. On Unpredictable, supported by the requisite Beats by the Pound production team, he dances with the usual themes, though his lyrics and presence are a notch above the rest. Most absorbing are "Murder 2" and "Shine," both tracks written for his murdered sister. The latter is an ode, and the former a harrowing fantasy of revenge against her killer, both delivered with an additional, pained twinge of vocal expressivity. --Jon Caramanica Amazon.com

Anything Else Is Unacceptable

The Crescent City's own Mystikal releases his third album and the first as a No Limit Soldier, Unpredictable was surprisingly a stratigic move for establishing a name for himself. Immediately opening up embracing his position in the army with a salute on "Born 2 Be A Soldier" featuring Master P, Silkk The Shocker, Fiend & Mac as "Ain't No Limit" featuring Silkk The Shocker. Continuing to release his anger of his sister's death on "Murder 2" as he confronts her killer as "Shine" mourns her death with memories. The production was unlike any other No Limit release going outside Beats By The Pound seeking the talents of Rick Rock for "Murder 2". Paving the path to his career and time span on "13 Years" goes into detail. The title track contains a looped sample to emphasise the rapid, tongue twisted hook highlighted the production by another outsider DJ Darryl. Being a product of the ghetto, "Ghetto Child" featuring Master P & Silkk The Shocker is humbling experience of overcoming obstacles destined for those growing in that environment. Mystikal takes excerpts and punchlines from some of his other songs to create "Did I Do It" taking credit as the author. "We Got The Clout" featuring Mia X is a great duet speaking on their status without a hook and or chorus still is one of the most memerable tunes of Unpredictable. Explaining his addiction of smoking on "Still Smokin'" where smokers can relate to the events over the production by The Legendary Traxster that should have been extended to complete the session. The hook alone expresses the feeling and contents of the hook on "U Can't Handle This" because of his lyrical capabilities also evident on "The Man Right Chea". Showing his sexual prowness on "D*ck On The Track" goes into a musical composition being conducted for comparison. Confessions of infidelity on "Sleepin' With Me" featuring O'Dell confronts his actions of being in a relationship. Stepping up to classic New Orleans bounce style, "It Years" gives the album more depth as a near dance track incorporating mixing and scratching. With a smooth swing and layered guitars complementing the slow groove of "Gangstas" featuring Snoop Dogg & Master P completes the albums effectiveness and overall feel. Mystikal's Unpredictable was just as titled as his emphasis or lyrical delivery was deemed necessary to agressively get the point across. March 23, 2008

No Limit Classic

Anyone trying to tout the former glory of No Limit Records should be happy for CD's like Mystikal's "Unpredictable". This disc is by far one of the greatest No Limit releases, right there along with "Ghetto D",and "Tru 2 Da Game". Tracks like "Born To Be A Soldier" showcase the perfect marriage of No Limit Soldiers over Beats By the Pound tracks. The songs "Man Right Chea" and the title track are vehicles for Mystikal to fully showcase the depths of his rapid fire delivery and gruff vocal tone. Any real Mystikal fan would tell you that Mystikal was close to his best on this CD. Definitely a good idea to pick releases like this up because you can't really get these in stores anymore (tell P to pay his producers you need bread if you produce 10+ albums a year). November 30, 2007

Unpredictably his best album

Mystikal was doing his thing with Jive before No Limit. Mind Of Mystikal was great and I didnt think was going to top that one until I heard this one. The first track Born 2 Be A Soldier was slammin(even though they could have kept Silkk away from that song). Murder 2 picks up where Murderer on the first album left off as Mystikal lets off some steam at his sister's killer. Unpredictable, 13 Years, U Cant Handle This, The Man Right Chea is Mystikal at his best. As usual Mystikal always has his smoke record on each album and Still Smokin' is the best one out of all of them. D*** On The Track and It Yearns(which samples T La Rock's Its Yours) are Mystikal flexing his lyrical muscles and he does a good job too. Even though this album is tight it does have its flaws. Silkk The Shocker should have never been on Aint No Limit and Born 2 Be A Soldier. Sleeping With Me is kind of bland and Gangstas(features Snoop and Master P) was soso. The album ends with a nice tribute to his sister which is called Shine. Bottom Line: Mystikal was at his best on Unpredictable which is his best album to date. He was hungrier here than he sounds now and the production was great. This unquestionably one of the best No Limit releases. Standout Tracks: BORN 2 BE A SOLDIER, MURDER 2, 13 YEARS, UNPREDICTABLE, GHETTO CHILD, HERE WE GO, STILL SMOKIN, U CANT HANDLE THIS, THE MAN RIGHT CHEA, D*** ON THE TRACK and IT YEARNS. June 24, 2007

mystical in my top 5 best rappers of all time...

mystical is sick he can rap slow he flip it and he can be metaphorical with it the only other rapper out there that can do that is luda but what people dont understand is that mystical has been doing this for 12 years still selling gold and platinum albums and so called mc's in new york or the east may have invented the game but please dog dont hate on the souf cuz we comin... p.s. never bite the d*ck that feed u suckas mystical's crunk dog. "haters"..... April 15, 2006

Good album --- What are you listening to??

The best album ever, PLEASE, this album is not even close to being good. Of the 17 songs on here, 2 are good, about 6 are ok, and the rest are just plain bad. My least favorite No Limit cd of the 15 or so I have (clkose with Snoop's "Da Game Is to Be Sold..." album). Not even the No Limit guests (which oddly there aren't nearly as many as any other release) can bring this up to even an ok album. Yeah Mr. Puzzleface can rap fast but that don't make him good. His flow is way off beat and he can't rap either, and the sad part is this is his best cd. Production is decent, but not as good as Beats by the Pound crew usually is (the wack rapper on the mic is probably the main reason). Craig B does 6 songs, KLC does 5, O'Dell does 2, and Rick Rock, DJ Darryl, Studio Ton, and Legendary Traxster all do 1. So when he asks -- Did I Do It? I answer yes, you made a horrible cd. Unless for some odd reason you're one of the bunch of idiots who like him or comemrcial down south music save you money and ear drums on this one.

#1 - 8 (f/ Master P, Silkk the Shocker, Fiend, Mac)
#2 - 7 (about his murdered sister)
#3 - 6
#4 - 6
#5 - 7 (f/ Silkk the Shocker)
#6 - 5 (f/ master P & Silkk the Shocker)
#7 - 4
#8 - 5 (f/ E-40, B-Legit, Master P)
#9 - 4 (f/ Mia X)
#10 - 7.5
#11 - 6.5
#12 - 8.5 (nice beat)
#13 - 6
#14 - 4.5 (f/ O'Dell)
#15 - 7 (nice beat)
#16 - 5.5 (f/ Snoop Dogg & Master P)
#17 - 7 (deeper song)

Michael Tyler -- New Orleans, LA

check all my reviews August 10, 2005

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