What if I said "Victory" was done by Sean Combs?  Would anybody know
who I'm talking about?  "Puff Daddy" is world reknowned, as well as "Notorious B.I.G."  "Puff Daddy" is definitely a fine producer, and the king of sampling, which continues to be a professional issue, especially with the old rockers who define creativity differently.  "The Family" continues to pump out hits again and again, using samples from remembered hits and dance melodies and turning out a new mix.  "Puff Daddy" is a businessman that know what people like to hear. It's called marketing management.  The strategy seems to be a message, supported by a theme song, built in to increase the vibe.  The amount of creativity is incredible, and the options are endless. Even more amazing is how open everyone is about letting Mr. Combs use their music.  I guess Puffy's
artistry continues to thwart the contradictions, and he puts paper in many
pockets.  Who's to say when "The Family" will peak, as they continue to
climb and set their own pace, and are providing a new criteria for success.
Huge hits, such as "I'll Be Missing You," "Been Around The World" and "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down," has Bad Boy Records running platinum through their veins.

"No Way Out,"  produced by Stevie J., contains excerpts from "Agnus
Dei,"  a family, a prayer, and respect for where they've come from - survival, betrayal, and chalk.  An Intro that leads to a lesson in hip hop.

"Victory," written by C. Wallace, J. Phillips, S. Combs, S. Jordan &
B. Conti, produced by Stevie J. I reviewed the single in last month's issue.
The song is a bomb that doesn't explode until you hear the "Nine Inch Nails Remix." Then you get knocked on your ass.  "Busta Rhymes" is bad to the bone, and really rocks the vibe with his aggressive intense style.  It's a song adapted for the battle royal of life, which embodies portions of "Alone In The Ring,"  written by Bill Conti.  If you want to get  the full climax of the song, definitely listen to the "Nine Inch Nails" version of the song and get the full buzz of your adrenalin.

"Been Around The World," was written by G. Bowie, L. Stansfield, A.
Morris, I. Devaney, C. Wallace, S. Combs, R. Lawrence and D. Angelettie, and produced by Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence and Deric "D-dot" Angelittie.  It contains a sample from "Let's Dance" by David Bowie.  The knowledge of how they decide which song to sample is priceless.  A unique dance mix, full fledged hip-hop, with all the ingredients, and easily manipulated into club remixes to make it more danceable.  More evidence that creativitity breeds experience and success.  I wonder if they'll form a new level, like Titanium, for these guys, for the amount of records they'll sell.

"What You Gonna Do?" written by K. Jones, R Ross, S. Combs, and N.
Myrick, and produced by Nashiem Myrick, features excerpts from "It's Over," written and performed by Eddie Holman.  "You gonna cry like a bitch, or take it nice and slow.  Whatcha' gonna do it's your time to go." Gunfire rains out, and the struggle to survive is evidence that there is a higher power and you do have a choice. Just make sure not to eliminate the option of a choice, it may not be your finger that decides the issue.

"Don't You Stop What You're Doing,"  written by L. Simmons, A.P.
Yarbrough and J. Ellis, produced by Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence, has a sample from "Don't Stop The Music" by Yarbrough & Peoples Orchestra.  Lil' Kim is sexy, sassy honey that only sweetens the pot.  A definite dance mix that will rock clubs all over the nation, and again the potential for remixes are endless as the vibe is thumpin'.  Feat is smooth and will have you on the dance floor at the drop of a dime so "Don't You Stop The Music! Lil' Kim and Puff Daddy just keep on keepin' on."

"If I Should Die Tonight" is a serious interlude about life and death,
and the faith in a better place away from stress, paranoia and negativity.  Take some time to feel it or you'll lose it, and always learn from it.

Diana Ross put it so eloquently, "Do You Know?" Written by T. Gaither, S. Combs, D. Angelettie, G. Goffin, M. Masser and W. Turbinton, and
produced by Deric "D-dot" Angelettie, this song has a sample of "Do You Know Where You Going To,"  written by Gerald Goffin and Michael Masser.   The melody is smooth and Kelly Price captures the soul and doesn't let you down, keeping the soft vibe of the track.  The trials and tribulations of life with a new flavor.  Watch out for those potholes!

"Youn G's," written by C. Wallace, S. Carter, S. Combs, R. Smith,
E. DeRoven, and E. Howard, and produced by Rashad Smith, samples portions of "On the Hill" by Oliver Sain. Jay- Z and the B.I.G take you back to the "gutter."  It gets hard and heavy - literally. The reality of the dog eat dog world and every dog DOES have his day is the theme here. The bass is hot and the lyrics are tight. It just might cut off your circulation.

"I Love You Baby,"  written by R. Ross, S. Combs, R. Lawrence and L.
Baxter, and produced by Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence.  Contains excerpts from "Xtabay(Lure of the Unknown Love)."  Where the hell did they come up with this sample?  Life is full of temptation.  The school of hard knocks may provide a better education for success, but the life span may be shorter at the expense of heart and soul.  Love takes it's toll.

"It's All About the Benjamins (Remix)," written by S. Jacobs, J. Phillips, D. Styles, C. Wallace, K. Jones, S. Combs and D. Angelettie, and
produced by Deric "D-dot" Angelettie  Contains interpolations of "I Did It For Love"  by Linda Laurie, Teri Ihnger and Love Unlimited Orchestra. This song rocks.  The video definitely catches the vibe of the track.  It's lunch with an Ali punch.  It's all about the Benjamins, baby, Feat, The Lox get busy with Lil' Kim heavy on the trigger.  She'll light you up!  So Notorious B.I.G., there's a beginning for every ending, it's real and heard, the Family livin' large and loud.  A hot remix full of bump, grind and grunge mentality talkin' to all those soft MC's, ya better come hard if ya gonna get wild and loose, because the real deal is holdin' the line not just poppin a line.

"Pain,"  written by N. Myrick, S. Combs, T. Gaither, D. Angelettie and J.
Ian, and produced by Nashiem Myrick, features samples from Roberta Flack's "Jesse,"  again an incredible source of soul and blood through music.  The deep dark painful memories that will haunt lives as the motion picture continues, but one day, "the pain will stop," the storm will end with clouds of gold, and a gate to heaven will open, so keep the faith.

"Is This The End?" written by C. Mitchell, S. Combs, S. Jordan, L.
Johnson and M. Johnson, and produced by Stevie J., has Genuwine opening, and Twista, Feat and Carl Johnson finishing.  A scatty lyrical message of "I told you so,"  about the rapture, the coming, the calling.  Fast simplistic beat and bass displaying the rap talents of those above, blessed as it may be, shit happens and what are you left with?  Can you get up and do it again?  Or, "Is This The End?"

"I Got The Power!" Written by S. Jacobs, D. Styles, J. Phillips, J. Berk and S. Combs, and produced by Jaz, has Feat and The Lox bring it guerilla style with samples from "Don't Wanna Come Back." This is probably the weakest track on the album.

"Friend," written by S. Carter, D. Angelettie, M. Betha, I. Marchand,
S. Combs, S. Jordan and J. Astrop, and produced by Puff Daddy, contains samples from "Person To Person" by Stuart, Gorrie, Mcintyre, Mcintosh, Duncan, and Ball, and from The Average White Band recording of the same song.  Foxy Brown's smooth voice will make a lover cross the line.

"Senorita!" written by J. Graham, J. Phillips, S. Combs, W. Bell, L.
Bonner, M. Jones, R. Middlebrooks, M. Pierce, C. Satchell and J. Williams, and produced by Yogi, is a Spanish love song with a cultural flavor, a little sugar and spice, and everything nice.  Romantic and seductive for those that hear bells when things are right.

"I'll Be Missing You," written by Sting, T. Gaither and F. Evans, and
produced by Puff Daddy, features the ever popular sample of "Every Breath You Take" by the Police.  Feat, Faith Evans, and 112  hit the MTV Awards, and ignited the crowd with Sting live.  Can we still talk Titanium?  The devotional, emotional, immense and intense effect of the track just took over in the music world upon the death of Notorious B.I.G.  Whoever didn't know who Puff Daddy was then knows now.  After Sting, a strong writer and creative talent, sang it live, it kind of made it OK to use samples with such willing participation on his part.

"Can't Hold Me Down," was written by S. Combs, S. Jordan, C. Broady, N. Myrick, M. Betha, G. Prestopino, M. Wilder, S. Robinson, M. Glover, C. Chase and E. Fletcher, and produced by Carlos Broady and Nashiem Myrick.   How many hits can you have on one album?  My God! there seems to be no limit to the creative talent of the Family.  Mase is very impressive and is definitely going to be a hit solo also, if he chooses to go that route.

This one has the age old sample of "The Message" by Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, one of the pioneers of rap.  How can you go wrong? Remixes are hitting clubs world wide, and I'm sure there aren't too many top clubs that aren't playing one of these top songs through the night.

What can I say that already hasn't been said.  The creativity continues
and the artistry is left wide open.  "No Way Out"  will probably come close to the Titanic OST in sales.  The only thing left is what's NEXT!!!