Slaine began rapping at age 9, and after moving to New York as a young man, began recording while managing night clubs to make ends meet. Slaine hooked up with hip hop legend MC Shan, and through a chance recording session at the Lordz of Brooklyn studio, was introduced to Danny Boy O’Connor of House of Pain.

That introduction led to a production deal with DJ Lethal of House of Pain, which in turn led to the mix tape release The White Man is the Devil: Volume 1 and the formation of the group Special Teamz. After the release of their self-titled street cd, and a tour of Europe, Slaine joined hip hop super group La Coka Nostra, along with Ill Bill, Everlast, Danny Boy, and DJ Lethal.

After problems with his planned first record, A World With No Skies, Slaine got back in the studio and recorded almost an entire new record, aptly titled A World With No Skies 2.0, which was released on August 16, 2011 on Suburban Noize Records.  Slaine also released the mixtape State of Grace on August 2, 2011 in promotion of A World With No Skies 2.0. The mixtape featured songs that had been dropped from the original A World With No Skies as well as new songs produced by Statik Selektah.

In an emotional interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio, Slaine discussed his possible retirement from music, citing the problems he had with the planned release of A World With No Skies and the issues he has with the music industry.  Slaine stated that he is likely to focus on his group efforts in 2012, potentially releasing both another La Coka Nostra and Special Teamz album.

Track listing

1. Evolution of the Kid

2. Nothin but Business Feat BR & V Knuckles

3. Bloodthirsty Feat 357 & Phinelia

4. Loyalty Feat Kali & Twice Thou

5. Buildin with Edo Feat Edo G

6. Polaroid Picture Feat J the S, Dutch Rebelle & Cyrus Deshield

7. Cocaine & Whiskey Feat Amadeus the Stampede & Moroney

8. Zombie Land Feat Rite Hook

9. Bible Pages Feat Big Kurt, Shizz Vicious, Lateb, Esoteric & Moroney

10. Rats Maze Feat Newz & Lecks Gets It On

11. Coke Money Feat Easy Money & Chilla Jones

12. Bad Guy Feat Millyz & Smoke Bulga

13. Something to Believe in Feat Lou Armstrong, Patrick Starr, Moroney & Blanco

14. Back Where I’m From Feat Piff & Singapore

15. The Fuckery Hotel Feat Kali & Reks

16. Faster Than Time Feat Dre Robinson & DL

17. Hero Feat Jaysaun & Checkmark

 

Track by track review and rating

1. Evolution of the Kid:  A very nice intro track.  The beat is simple but effective.  The flow of the lyrics gives a nice lead in for the rest of the album.  9/10

2. Nothin but Business Feat BR & V Knuckles:  Another simple beat that works really well and keeps the vibe going from the intro track.  All of the verses work well together and push the theme that everything they do is not personal just business.  The hook is catchy and that rounds out the track.  8/10

3. Bloodthirsty Feat 357 & Phinelia:  A great beat that doesn’t drown out the lyrics highlights the track.  The verses hit hard and the hook both work well with the overall tone of the album.  8/10

4. Loyalty Feat Kali & Twice Thou:  This track is a little darker.  The first verse starts with what some think is a diss to the Kottonmouth Kings (“y’all be claimin’ king but you die with no dynasty.”), but he’s actually referring to some street shit back in Boston. That sets up the meaning behind the track, loyalty.  The hook is catchy and well done.  9/10

5. Buildin with Edo Feat Edo G:  A short track with a slightly more complex beat.  A good track but a definite step down from the first four tracks.  6/10

6. Polaroid Picture Feat J the S, Dutch Rebelle & Cyrus Deshield:  This track has a mellow beat but lyrically it is very deep.  A nice change of pace.  8/10

7. Cocaine & Whiskey Feat Amadeus the Stampede & Moroney:  This track has an old school beat.  The levels between the music and hook are slightly off making the hook not as impactful.  7/10

8. Zombie Land Feat Rite Hook:  The music that backs the track is slightly distracting and the vocals seem too loud.  The lyrics are good and the hook works.  6/10

9. Bible Pages Feat Big Kurt, Shizz Vicious, Lateb, Esoteric & Moroney:  The sound of this track is reminiscent of songs from the early nineties, but it works.  A track for fans of old school rap.  7/10

10. Rats Maze Feat Newz & Lecks Gets It On:  Once again the music that backs the track is distracting.  The beat is good but the surrounding audio is very busy.  The verses are good and the hook is on point.  7/10

11. Coke Money Feat Easy Money & Chilla Jones:  Simple piano backs this old school beat.  The verses are on point.  The hook is simple and that takes away from the track.  7/10

12. Bad Guy Feat Millyz & Smoke Bulga:  A huge change of pace with this one.  It is much darker and the verses and music all benefit from this.  A great sound and simple hook make the track really effective at this point in the album.  9/10

13. Something to Believe in Feat Lou Armstrong, Patrick Starr, Moroney & Blanco:  Another beat combining piano behind the beat.  The featured artists lift the track and round out this track nicely.  8/10

14. Back Where I’m From Feat Piff & Singapore:  This track pays homage to the road they all traveled to get where they are.  The hook is nice and the beat keeps with the old school theme of the album.  7/10

15. The Fuckery Hotel Feat Kali & Reks:  A complex beat backs very lyrical verses.  This track gives the listener a prime example of how the beat and lyrics can complement each other.  Each of these lifts the other and makes the track enjoyable.  7/10

16. Faster Than Time Feat Dre Robinson & DL:  The beat in this track is disjointed.  The levels between the verses and music need to be worked better.  This track is the opposite of the last in that the music and verses almost seem to be competing for the spotlight and this brings both down.  6/10

17. Hero Feat Jaysaun & Checkmark:  The beat fits the rest of the album, simple and effective.  The verses are put together nicely and the hook works here.  7/10

 

Overall Album Rating: 7.5/10

 Conclusion-  Another solid release from Suburban Noize Records.  This is an album for true Hip Hop fans.  The whole album has an old school vibe that will take the listener back to a simpler time in music.  The flow of the album is great and creates a very enjoyable experience.  Any fan of True Hip Hop and Rap should definitely pick up the album.  Will it appeal to all, of course not.  But a large majority of fans will enjoy this.

 

Favorite Tracks:

1. Evolution of the Kid
2. Loyalty Feat Kali & Twice Thou
3. Bad Guy Feat Millyz & Smoke Bulga

Length:

• 61 Minutes

Record Label:

• Suburban Noize Records

Release Date:

• 04/16/2013

Purchase:

• iTunes - $10.99

Websites:

• Suburban Noize Records

Reviewer:

• Juggalotus