Bootleg

Three years after the Dayton Family entered their unofficial prison-related sabbatical, Bootleg appeared with his first solo album, Death Before Dishonesty. In those three years since the Dayton Family's F.B.I. album, a lot had happened. Thankfully, despite all the personal drama, Bootleg and his producer, Steve Pitts, had managed to hone their craft, resulting in the most polished Dayton Family-related release of the 1990s. The inclusion of female vocalists on some of the song's hooks was a major change from the nothing-but-hardcore rap sound of F.B.I.; furthermore, a wide range of guest rappers appear here, with the most notable exception being Bootleg's longtime partner, fellow Dayton Family founder Shoestring. So the album ends up sounding like quite a departure from the Dayton Family albums, thanks mostly to the revolving ensemble of guests and Shoestring's absence. [This album is also available in a clean version that eliminates its occasionally profane moments.] ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide