A crew from Brooklyn, who sound at times like a crew from Queensbridge, doing a song with instrumental backing right out of London? "Brooklyn 4 Life" has Octagon talking about ripping lyrics like rib tips and showing pride for their borough, but it's impossible to take them seriously when the instrumental sounds like a hit record from The Verve. Yes, using a classical version of a Rolling Stones song might have worked in the pop world, but you have to flip it in order for anyone to take a serious listen. Imagine if Juvenile and his boys were based in the 718 instead of the 504, and you get an impression of 4-Octagon's overall sound.

"HNY" works a little better, bringing the group into the club for a round of drinking, smoking, and loving. The song stands for Happy New Year, so the mood is about celebrating and having a good time, but you're left wondering what this group is really about. Are they a group that's about putting down "vicious hypocrite n****s" or celebrating "bitches with blonde hair"? One of the rappers proclaims "I ain't a joke", but after listening to this single I'm still waiting for a punchline.

Music Vibes: 8 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 6.5 of 10

Originally posted: February 10, 2001
source: www.RapReviews.com