JT the Bigga Figga

Just as JT the Bigga Figga began to build a name for himself after years of catering to a mostly cult audience of West Coast underground rap lovers, he took the time to put together Puttin' It on the Map, an album of old material polished up for his growing legion of fans. While this is far from his best album, it is a fairly fascinating listen, especially when one considers the fact that JT was only a teen when he busted these rhymes. On the song "History Class," he explains the story behind the album and introduces "Dank or Dope," the song that first established him as a respectable rapper. Even as a teen, JT's rhymes flow lucidly and quickly though often suffering from a lack of intriguing content. Still, one cannot deny this San Francisco area rapper's talent with a mic; unfortunately, though, he doesn't get the tight beats he deserves on most of these cuts, which often consist of little more than a bass synth and some looped percussion with the occasional Dr. Dre-like synth tones. Nothing here should win new fans for JT. The album works for what it is, a rarities collection, and should interest anyone who has followed the rapper throughout his prolific career. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide