After countless shout outs and guest cameos on Nas records, The Bravehearts (composed of Nas' little brother, Jungle, and best friend Wiz) are attempting to step out of the shadows with their cleverly-titled debut effort "Bravehearted."
So what does a duo do when they come into the game on the coattails of one of the illest and most respected lyricists of all time? Hopefully, they represent. But from the first tracks it becomes painfully apparent that Jungle and Wiz are not prepared to fill Nas' shoes. Expect no social commentary or ill wordplay from this duo. What you can count on is endless gun-busting and lazy rhymes.
Take, for instance, "B Train," the second track on the album. It has a clever concept of recruiting fans for the Bravehearts or "B Train." Subtle train whistles enhance the simplistic beat while Wiz and Jungle get a successful verbal volley going before they branch off into separate verses. Jungle spits lines so wack that they are deserving of XXL's "Step Your Rap Game Up" column: "Your family mad and sad/I'll be glad." Needless to say, there won't be many people waiting to get aboard this train.
Yet at times, Jungle is a competent lyricist, especially on tracks where big brother Nas graces us with his presence. Though Nas' appearances may attract his loyal fan base, unfortunately for the Bravehearts, they also magnify the disparity between Nas' skills and those of his comrades. "Twilight" is a perfect example of this disparity. The stirring piano keys, accented by the light drum pattern and cello cords, provide a great backdrop for Nas' unorthodox lyrics, which steal the track: "Yo I talk like a champion/Walk like a champion/Body like a god/And I promise that Nas will break you off."
Luckily Wiz and Jungle hold their own on "Quick To Back Down" (featuring Nas and Lil Jon)the lead single and highlight of the album. The song has a gritty theme, yet Lil Jon's signature growl and crunk style beat also make it an official party-starter. The end result is a gangsta club song. Hey, stranger things have happened.
The trumpet notes and scratching on "Bravehearted" conveys an old-school feel that compliments Wiz and Jungle's laid back flow. They both showcase impressive timing. However, Jungle bites off more than he can chew when he spits, "Jungle, we live by the morals of the street/Not like snitch CJ/Or b**ch Jay-Z." Though Nas is a worthy adversary for Jay-Z, Jungle doesn't have enough rap clout to tote Hov's nonexistent rhyme book. This is one fight he needs to reserve for his big brother.
The Bravehearts make critical mistakes on their first album. "Buss My Gun" (featuring Nashawn) is unintentionally funny with its rash thugging and inappropriate, ill-placed R&B chorus. "Cash Flow" is by far the worst song on the CD with its syrupy chorus, "First the studio/Then the video/Then we do a show/Count my cash flow," and overtly commercial beat which would better serve a merry-go-round or Chucky Cheese.
Three-fourths of the way into the album Wiz and Jungle switch gears and attempt to appease the ladies. "Situations" (featuring Jully Black) is the obligatory relationship song which provides a neo-soul groove. Surprisingly, the Bravehearts have enough charisma to pull it off.
"I Wanna" teeters on the line between sexy and raunchy in a fashion reminiscent of "My Neck/My Back" (Khia 2001). You know, the type of crass catchy song you're almost embarrassed to sing along with? The female-sung R&B chorus and soft guitar splices give it a mellow feel that allows it to stay on the sexy side of the line. However, the next track, "Sensations," is nothing but classless audio porn. In a lackluster conclusion, an Oochie Wally remix comes three years too late.
In all, no one said the Bravehearts were going to be like Nas, but because of their strong bond with the rap superstar, I hoped for more and was sadly disappointed. They don't push the envelope but do manage to create an album that seems to be an accurate reflection of who they are. So though not ingenious, it is honest and I suppose we just have to settle with that.
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