Big Punisher - Capital Punishment

Some rappers die because they get shot. Some die of AIDS. But corpulent Latino rapper Big Punisher died of a massive coronary; at the time of his February 2000 death, he weighed over 600 pounds. While this made Punisher a suitable poster boy for the dangers of conspicuous consumption, on his platinum 1998 debut album, Capital Punishment, he's eager to poke fun at the creed of greed: "I'm not a player", he announces, "I just fuck a lot." But while Capital Punishment is perfectly adequate gangsta fare, Big Pun doesn't deserve the deification that dead rappers so frequently receive; here, he deviates little from the egomaniacal posturing that the Notorious B.I.G. branded his own. "If it doesn't make dollars, then it doesn't make sense," splutters compadre Fat Joe on "Glamour Life." Suitable, then, that Big Pun died in an industry where rigor mortis is the ultimate unit-shifter. --Louis Pattison Amazon.com

Spring '98 Memories (Rating: 9 out of 10- -4.5 stars)

Big Punisher couldn't have such a great career, but at the same time, very short. Two years after releasing this album, he would later die of a heart attack. Pun was such a great lyricist that would be remembered along the east coast, with various hits like "Still Not A Player", and "You Came Up". Pun saw himself as one of the best Latino rappers here in the game, and with his debut he set out to prove that point.

Not a whole lot can be said, since everyone has covered every aspect of this album. My two cents are that some of the standouts are the best songs I've heard in a minute. The track "Super Lyrical" has Pun and Black Thought of The Roots going back and fourth over a sick beat. "Still Not A Player" featuring Joe (who updates his song here) still remains to be his biggest hit of his career. The track is edited, probably because it was his lead single. Tracks like "Punish Me" (with Miss Jones) and "You Ain't A Killer" also work well. Further down the album "Caribbean Connection" with Wyclef Jean is dope (hell, even Clef spits a dope verse). Pun shows he can work with the entire Terror Squad on "Glamor Life", which is also backed by some great production. My favorite song here is the original version of "I'm Not A Player" ("I'm not a player, I just **** a lot..."). That track as a classic. Joe and Pun trade verses on the hit song "Twinz (Deep Cover '98)" which will remind listeners of an old Snoop Dogg song ("It's still 187 on an undercover cop"). Towards the end there is the bragging "You Came Up" featuring Noreaga, as Pun looks back on how he came up in the rap game. "Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)" with Prodigy and Inspetah Deck is a sick cut. Pun finishes the album with "Parental Discretion" with Busta Rhymes doing the hook (his signature wild screaming he was known for back in the 90's).

Many look at Big Punisher's debut as a landmark in hip hop music. It takes me back to when every guest appearance was a hot artist (especially with Wyclef). Pun's lyrics shined on every song, that I still know who is reciting his lyrics till this day. Majority of these tracks are highly on point. Even the skits are hilarious ("Pacinamac" literally had me rollin). Pun might have had a short music career, but he sure as hell left his footprint here in the game. Rest In Peace Big Punisher.


Lyrics: A+
Production: A
Guest Appearance: A+
Musical Vibes: A-

Top 5 Tracks:
1. I'm Not A Player
2. Super Lyrical (featuring Black Thought)
3. You Came Up (featuring Noreaga)
4. Caribbean Connection (featuring Wyclef Jean)
5. Parental Discretion (featuring Busta Rhymes)

Honorable Mention:
1. Still Not A Player (featuring Joe)
2. You Ain't A Killer
3. Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy) (featuring Prodigy and Inspetah Deck)
October 9, 2008

Classic

Absolute Classic album that still sound just as good today as it did 10 years back how fu#king dare the amazon reviewer say Big Pun doesn't deserve the deification that dead rappers so frequently receive he is more lyrical than 99.9% of rapper of all time lyrically metaphorically he had everything punchlines and flows for days. Genius April 16, 2008

Great album with a heart-breaking disappointment

The album as a whole, was nearly perfect. Pun displays "super lyrical" skills that compete with the most elite of rappers. His delivery is always on point, and the flow is one other's should strive to compete with. However, THE EDITED VERSION OF "STILL NOT A PLAYER" IS THE ONE PLACED ON THE ALBUM. Nothing could have disappointed me more when playing the album. I was utterly disgusted when I heard the blasphemous disrespect shown to one of hip hop's greats. Whoever is responsible for placing the track on the album censored has done a horrible thing. September 23, 2007

Lyrical Genius......R.I.P

Now, I am not the one to give respect to albums regardless if the artist is gone from this world. I am the first to call it like I see it. However, I can't front....Capital Punishment is probably one of the greatest hip hop albums to be released ever. The late Christopher Rios with the help of his "twin" Fat Joe puts out what might not have even been anticipated but on time with this solid debut. Pun's word play and lyrical prowess, in my opinion, would take mentor Fat Joe out in a freestyle competition any day. Pun's production is quite possibly the best compliment to this gem and the guest appearances are on time and on point. My favorite would have to be "Punish Me" featuring Miss Jones, displaying Pun's lyricism in reference to love, relationships and fatherhood. My second fav would have to be the posse cut "Glamour Life" showing Pun and his fellow Terror Squadians speaking of aspirations of fame and fortune(which is not one of my favorite topics in hip hop however when you have an excellent lyrical delivery on this subject I will make an exception). In short, this is a must have from quite possibly the "best" member of the Terror Squad camp. March 23, 2007

Remarkable...the album behind the legend

During Big Pun's unfortunately short lifetime, he released only one album, 1998's "Capital Punishment," and with this one release he amassed the reputation of one of New York's greatest MCs ever. Listening to this album, it's not hard to see why. Pun shows simply amazing technique, lyricism, and versatility on the album that made him the first Latino rapper to go platinum. Pun flawlessly tells stories of crime and dangers in the streets of the Bronx, but he also makes some deeper tracks about life and philosophy. He is simply an awesome lyricist. Also, the group of guest rappers is among the best ever assembled for an album. In addition to his group of Terror Squad peers such as Fat Joe, Cuban Link, and Noreaga, other appearances come from rap legends like Prodigy, Busta Rhymes, Inspectah Deck, Black Thought, Dead Prez, , and singers such as Joe, Wyclef Jean, and Miss Jones. The production is outstanding throughout the album, coming from such accomplished beatmakers as the RZA, L.E.S., Rockwilder, and Dr. Dre. Overall this album is a complete classic that deserves to be a part of any hip hop collection.

After the intro, the album begins with "Beware," starting the album with a hard lyrical track with great production. "Super Lyrical" is just that, a collaboration with Roots rapper Black Thought. "Still Not a Player" was Pun's most successful single, the song that made him famous and a legendary classic. Over an awesome, Latin-inspired beat, Pun drops hilarious, well delivered verses in between great singing from Joe, who also sings the classic outro. "The Dream Shatterer" is very well produced and is a hard, street-level song. Miss Jones collaborates on "Punish Me," one of my favorite songs on the album. With a subdued, thoughtful beat, Big Pun talks about a relationship gone sour. "You Ain't a Killer" is another New York classic. The hard piano laced beat fits great with Pun's threatening lyrics and great punchlines. "Glamour Life" features the Terror Squad, where they talk about the reaps of a life of crime over a great beat. The title track follows in the trend of hard, well-produced tough songs. On "I'm Not a Player," Pun speaks again of his character and interactions with women, the song utilizes a great soul sample. "Twinz (Deep Cover 98)" is a cover of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's classic song from 1992, where Pun and Fat Joe collaborate for one of the best songs from either one of their catalogs. I really like the interlude "The Rain and the Sun" with Dead Prez, it's relaxing. "You Came Up" may actually be my favorite song on the disc, though. With Noreaga, Pun discusses his rise to the top of hip hop, and the saxophone loop is perfect, Terror Squad always shines on this type of song. RZA produces "Triboro Trilogy," a standard New York anthem featuring legends Inspectah Deck and Prodigy. "Fast Money" tells an awesome story, and the album finishes with the Busta Rhymes-assisted "Parental Discretion," where the rappers warn parents of the dangers of raising children in the ghetto and exposing them to the dangers.

"Capital Punishment" is so amazing because it is a perfect combination of a truly special MC, great guest appearances, awesome production, and perfect execution. This album is so complete and well rounded, easily one of the best albums from the late 90s. I recommend this album to all kinds of hip hop fans, it has something everyone can enjoy, because it's such a classic. December 18, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...