REDLIGHTDISTRIKKT: HELTAH SKELTAH- THEY AIN’T GOT NO RESPECT FOR YOU LAMES

What the hell was your dick doin' in the milk man? Twelve years and three albums later, that now infamous question posed on Nocturnal, Heltah Skeltah's 1996 debut, has yet to be answered. When Sean Price a.ka. Ruck,"Got shit on the Ave. / I make cake outta state" and Rock a.ka. Da Rockness Monstah, "hard to blam/ got soldiers in front like I play quarterback" first emerged unto to the scene in '95 by way of Smif-N-Wessun's Da Shinin', it was apparent that this impeccable duo was one to reckon with. Their contrasting styles made evident by Rock's baritone, no nonsense or beating around the bush style and Sean Price's enigmatic double entendre filled verses affirmed their nonpareil partnership. These attributes left audiences clamoring for more- and the delivery came with the aforementioned Nocturnal. Like most of the music from their camp, that album was not exactly radio friendly yet it's still deserving of a classic nod. On the other hand Magnum Force, the duo's sophomore opus, didn't maintain the standards set forth by their debut.

September 30^th marked the release of their third album, D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team) which features production and appearances from Evidence, Marco Polo, Khrysis, Buckshot and Smif- N-Wessun to name a few. A decade removed from their last release, it is obvious that the "super niggas from the ‘ville" still have plenty in the magnum chamber. Unlike many before them who have painfully decided to change with the times, the duo is comfortable with sticking to their guns, as this statement proves, "...We ain't with all that worrying about what the people this and the third shit. We just go in and make our music, hopefully y'all like it." Clearly the two, whose chemistry is paralleled by only a chosen few, are comfortable in their own lanes; opting to perfect theirs as opposed to confining themselves to the changes ever so prevalent within hip hop. They both acknowledge, "Everything is Heltah Skeltah" yet it's just going through it stages, "Let the shit do what it do, I [Rock] ain't scared."

Perhaps the only thing that might scare Da Rockness Monstah is the fact that he can't find clothes in his own size,"...I can't even find a shirt in my size. Cause' I go to the store and everything is small, everybody's jean is getting slimmer....fucking vice grips." Yet both do admit that they as they grow older their clothes aren't as loose as when Karl Kanis were the ish. Although as Sean P candidly states, "I don't want my jeans showing my manhood (I concur)."

Discussing hip hop put things into retrospect for the two, causing P to joke, "Thanks a lot man. You make me feel like an old man." Still that is what's so incredible about this rap team; despite a decade long hiatus the duo is still a wanted commodity with a solid, devoted fan base. Through their growing pains they have witnessed their independent label, a shining example of nepotism, Duck Down, expand, something P was particularly proud of, "A few years ago Duck Down was (shit sound) but now it's the place to be. We have been independent ever since independent wasn't cool to be."

Clearly the remarkable, charismatic duo could care less if this was an election year, since they aren't particularly concerned about what the people think. Needless to say, it should come as no surprise that there will not be a Fab 5 album, "We mean what we say and say what we mean...no means no (Word, take notes sexual deviants)." Still it should be recognized that there's no bad blood between them and OGC members as revealed by Rock, "The only problem I have with saying that is that people be thinking that me and Starang be out in the back fighting and shit."

Fortunately with Heltah Skeltah it is never a mystery, as listeners know what they are getting- hard pounding beats and lyrics with a dash of humor. Never the ones to be compliant or apprehensive, why would they? "...you see the way niggas rhyming now, doing that bullshit."

There will not be a Fab 5 Album