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Psychopathic Records has a history of gems released in the form of solo albums from long-time groups of the label. Arguably, one of the best is the Shaggy 2 Dope release, F.T.F.O., the incredibly long-awaited follow-up to the 4-track EP released 12 years prior (Fuck Off!). The dozen years between the two releases was a storm of hype, delays, and flat-out shelving of the project. Let’s hop in our time machines and go back a full decade to the year 2006. Psychopathic just wrapped up what I have come to refer to as its True Golden Year, 2005, having dropped a devastating 9 collective albums and rolling comfortably into the new year. One of the first releases to burst through the doors is the highly anticipated, mother-fucker-this-better-have-been-worth-the-wait F.T.F.O.! Let me tell you right now, ninjas… this album did not fail to meet expectations!

1. Prelude
The album opens up to a lyrically simple track, reintroducing the world to the Southwest Strangla. The beat is laced by cuts done by Shaggs himself, who we all know is a beast on the turn tables. It’s short, sweet, and has a strong lasting power that isn’t found too often in opening tracks.
Score: 4 out of 5

2. Fuck The Fuck Off
This track is draw-dropping. You will never hear Shaggy flow so freely and unobstructed on any ICP album, as it isn’t much of a secret at all that they are largely Violent J driven. But don’t get it twisted; J is all over the album. He’s in the reverse role as he normally is, this time driving home the hooks. This track is simply addictive, and is best listened to as loud as bearable in the car with the windows down.
Score: 5 out of 5

3. Keep It Scrubbin
This banger here is the single released prior to the album’s official release. The flow is unique, once again driving home just how accomplished Shaggy has become as a rapper in his own rights. This is a hype track, and has easily become one of the Juggalo Anthems we all know and love.
Score: 5 out of 5

4. Forever And Always
The pace of the album starts to slow down a bit with this track, but comfortably so. It is a reassurance to us all that Shaggy, Psychopathic and the underground is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Score: 3.5 out of 5

5. Make It Happen
This is the second feel-good track in a row on the album, bringing to the table a sort of motivational message done in the way only ICP can do. Not exceptionally remarkable, but not by any means bad either.
Score: 3 out of 5

6. Memories
This one takes it back to the storytelling element that ICP collectively has become famous for. It’s about waking up one day with amnesia, and the struggle of trying to figure out who you are all over again. The hook is catchy and surprisingly deep, solidifying this track. There is a skit at the end of the track to add a splash of humor, wrapping it up nicely.
Score: 4 out of 5

7. Meltdown
This is a goofier track, yet again staying true to the reasons why we love the Wicked Clowns. It is also formatted in the story telling narrative, trying to lure tourists to the oh so wonderful world of Del Ray. I mean, come on. Everyone Dies anyway, so why not?!
Score: 4 out of 5

8. They Shootin
The beat of this track is the highlight, no doubt about that. Shaggy 2 Dope takes you on a ride through the chaotic streets of Detroit in the midst of a shoot-out where nobody is safe. The anarchic scene is captured perfectly, making you glad that you are in no way any part of that shit-storm.
Score: 3.5 out of 5

9. Half Full
This is another track that is beat driven. It’s got a down, dreary, depressed yet thought-provoking vibe. It explores the everyday questions we all ask, and is graced by a hook from Violent J that completes the awe inspiring feel. It definitely shifts the whole mood of the album, but that doesn’t last for long.
Score: 5 out of 5

10. Always Fuckin With Us (Feat. Twiztid)
The pace picks right back up where it left off, with a hard-hitting track that also has the only actual featured guest on the album: Twiztid. Jamie Madrox and Monoxide steal the show on this one, giving this song a perfect pre-fight track. This is one of the better tracks on the entire album.
Score: 5 out of 5

11. Pull Me Over
The feel of the album takes yet another left turn with this track, which goes back once again into the story telling narrative. It’s a lighter, funnier track that sounds more fit for an ICP album, but it works.
Score: 3.5 out of 5

12. Ball Bounce
This track is… odd. It is lyrically redundant, and if I’m not mistaken supposed to be sort of a feel-good, partyish hit. It’s got some real good cuts to the beat, which make this song tolerable. I admit, this is the only one I skip regularly.
Score: 1 out of 5

13. Red Moon
The beat to this track is wicked. There is no way to describe it otherwise. The hook is hypnotic, and overall is a good snap back from Ball Bounce. Shaggy takes you on a walk with a literal lunatic, driven mad by the Red Moon. This one is easily a classic. It wraps with a mini-skit to lighten the mood.
Score: 5 out of 5

14. Owl Faced Hoe
“Who, who, who my baby daddy?!” This is one damned funny track! Unfortunately, this track hits a tad too close to home for a lot of us, but hopefully that bullet was dodged! It features a cameo from Anybody Killa for a few lines, but not in a rapping capacity. Luckily for Shaggs, the good news comes in and he is not the baby daddy! Better luck next time, bitch.
Score: 5 out of 5

15. Cobwebs In The Attic
Another wicked track from Sugar Bear, this one takes you into the mind of a psychopath trying to feed the inner demons.. The hook is the seller on this one, and really brings the whole track together. The struggle for mental control doesn’t go too well this time around but hey, you can’t win ‘em all right?
Score: 4.5 out of 5

16. It’s About Time
As the album winds down, it takes on yet another sort of inspirational track. Lyrically, it doesn’t quite match the hook, but it of course works in the way only Shaggy can do it. Not the strongest track on the album, yet still fits in just right.
Score: 3.5 out of 5

17. Your Life
And here we are, at the end of a long, winding road that is F.T.F.O. This song leaves the listener with some food for thought, and wraps it in a feel-good kind of way. A very relatable track, complete with some vocals from the Duke of the Wicked in the hook.
Score: 5 out of 5

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

It took 12 damn years for this album to see the light of day, but ultimately it was worth the wait. This was the source material for Shaggy 2 Dope’s one and only solo tour, which if you had the honor of attending as I have, you already know how off the hook this shit was live. It’s true that this album had a few iffy tracks, but they all found their home in this piece of history.

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    Faygoluvers Comments

  1. Carnivalkilla44

    Carnivalkilla44

    Comment posted on Sunday, November 20th, 2016 07:26 pm GMT -5 at 7:26 pm

    What’s this, an under the radar review in an album from a decade ago? Didn’t think anyone would notice huh? Lol. Dope shit! Gonna throw this in the jeep tomorrow.

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