Mc Serch - Return of the Product

"I'm the baddest white boy to ever touch a mic!" (4.5/5)

And if you ask me, that statement still holds true today. After the breakup of 3rd Bass, MC Serch hit the solo trail for his only retail album to date, 1992's "Return of the Product." This is an album that lives up to its era, and it's got hip hop at its finest from what really was the golden aqe of hip hop. Serch was one of the best characters in hip, not only a clever rhyme writer but a clever humorist and an ingenius social commentator. Throughout the album, Serch delivers laugh-inducing punchlines and thought-inducing commentaries. His flow is unique as his character, and he really was a one-of-a-kind MC. The production comes from an array of producers, most notably including T-Ray and Skeff Anselm, and the production is outstanding. While not revolutionary, it's incredibly catchy throughout, funky and upbeat, even a little jazzy at times. The fact that this album is out of print now is disconcerting only because this is such a standard for '92-era hip hop. Rap music as an art was at its finest when this album was released, and this album is a reason why.

The first song is one of the best, "Here It Comes." This song is the best musically on the album, a fast and head-nodding experience with a great chorus and awesome vibes, Serch raps quickly with clever punchlines and flow. "Don't Have to Be" is an exercise of Serch's social relevance on the album. Despite his being Caucasian, Serch stops at nothing to point out and preach dealing with the problems in urban society. The next song, "Back to the Grill," reunites some of the rappers from the Main Source classic "Live at the Barbeque" (yes, Nas) and introduces some new MCs for a more light, upbeat sequel. "Hard But True" continues on the social consciousness tip, the best part is the second verse which addresses the injustices surrounding a high profile New York City rape case in the early 90s. "Return of the Product" is old school hip hop at its finest. "Daze in a Weak" is the low point of the album. While not a bad song by any means, the beat doesn't match the others at all, it's kind of a winding, repetitive loop that doesn't go anywhere. "Can You Dig It" is clever and catchy. My favorite song on the album is "Social Narcotics," a true classic. This song deals with racism and problems with parents planting prejudice into their children, featuring an appearance from a young Joe Fatal. I can't think of too many songs as simultaneously thoughtful and entertaining as this one. "Hits the Head" is excellent, and "Scenes From the Mind" is nice. The album ends with a good remix to the first song titled "Here It Comes Again."

Today most people probably only know Serch as the bitter veteran on VH1, and that's a shame. "Return of the Product" isn't a perfect or classic album by any means, but it's almost a product of its environment. Given the situations and trends in '92, Serch was able to put together a superb album that somehow still escaped the mainstream eye for the most part. This album can still be found for a reasonable price, and if you get the chance, I highly recommend that you check it out. "Return of the Product" is one for the collection if you love early 90s east coast rap. April 5, 2007

Good Old Days

Great, great album...

Serch proved he wasn't just a white boy gimmick (like the Beasties were) and proved he could rhyme on this LP...the lyrics, the beats, everything about this is just pure crack...

February 7, 2007

The first dope white boy.

Nowadays, a caucasian emcee being ill isn't exactly newsworthy; underground emcees like Esoteric, Cage, and Apathy, along with mainstream favorite Eminem, have shown that white emcees can kick fly verbals just as well as their darker-pigmented brothers. That wasn't the case when MC Serch's Return Of the Product was released, however; with the exception of the Beastie Boys, about the only other prominent white rappers were Vanilla Ice and Snow. Not good company. While those rappers were releasing chart-topping hits, MC Serch was chilling with Nasty Nas "Back At The Grill."

A sadly underrated emcee, MC Serch is one of the dopest punchline emcees you're gonna find from any era. He may look more like a nerd than anything, with his glasses, his polos, his rather large hair, and carrying a little bit of extra baggage - basically, Serch really was the average man, but he could still flip rhymes with some of the greatest in the game. He dropped knowledge(some of which was 5% science - YES, that's strange, but not awkward at all when you're listening to Serch kick the wisdom) like a long lost member of the Wu, and threw knockout blows like a white Big L.

This being his only solo albums, it's an often overlooked album in the transitional period of hip-hop, from golden-age to modern - while it may not be strictly classic, you can't doubt the dopeness that oozes from this album. Old school tracks with bounce, and an emcee as tight as anyone else at the time - the only thing that really hurts this album is the wear and tear time has taken on it. While it's most definitely dope today, it doesn't hold up as well as an album like Redman's Whut? Thee Album released in the same year, but any head can appreciate this album for it's solid rhythm, and ill lyrics - no pun intended here, but this album was definitely one consistent product. Definitely recommended. November 11, 2006

Like No Other {4.5 Stars}

Man I tell ya, they just don't make 'em like this anymore. THIS is what I call real hip hop music. No frills, no gimmicks, no fluff, no getting jiggy, no ice. Just an ill MC getting busy over dope beats. It scares me that the next generation will come up on Ja Rule and Nelly records while albums like this will remain largely forgotten. Return of The Product is one of the illest albums I've ever heard. It's practically flawless. The production is handled by T. Ray, Wolf & Epic, and the criminally underrated Skeff Anslem. Even the cameos from Chubb Rock, Red Hot Lover tone, Fatal, and Nasty Nas (aka Nas) are all on point.

There is only one or two instances where the album is uneven, but not very often. The only slip ups I can think of happen on "Hits The Head" and "Here It Comes Again". Those are the only tracks that I skip from time to time because they're sort of boring. It's also a little strange to hear a white dude kickin' 5% wisdom, but I wouldn't call that a bad thing.

If you haven't heard this album yet, then go pick this up. This is what rap music would sound like in a perfect world. I highly reccomend this to any and everyone that considers themself a fan of rap music. In my opinion, this is a must have rap album.

Standout Tracks: Social Narcotics feat. Fatal, Don't Have to Be (My Favorite), Return Of The Product, Here It Comes, Daze In A Week, Hard But True, and Back To The Grill feat. Chubb Rock, Red Hot Lover Tone, & (Nasty) Nas September 22, 2006

People are Stupid

That last guy has no clue.

This is musical hip hop......Awesome.

(...) July 21, 2005

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