Slick & The Shock Mob

Sicilian-American rapper Slick (born in Kansas City, raised in Los Angeles, and based in Las Vegas) has a terrific voice: a low, guttural growl that's quite unlike most voices on the current hip-hop scene. Imagine if retired wrestling superstar Randy "Macho Man" Savage was a gangsta rapper and you'll be most of the way there. Unfortunately, this obvious talent is somewhat adrift on an undistinguished debut album. Slick's vocals are by far the best part of Product of My Environment, an album that otherwise is competent but unimaginative gangsta rap with a few half-hearted hard rock influences. It's never less than listenable, but the album lacks the visceral power of the best hip-hop. In the right hands, Slick could be great, but this isn't quite it. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide