The first collective outing of Cash Money Records’ group Hot Boy$ – Juvenile, B.G., Turk, and Lil Wayne – could be considered a test run. 1997’s ‘Get It How U Live!’ introduced the southern-native quartet.
Their unique sound sparked a buzz. Platinum-selling, mega-hit-making solo efforts by Juvenile, B.G. and Wayne followed, building hype for Hot Boy$’ sophomore release.
As expected, 1999’s ‘Guerrilla Warfare’ debuted #1 on the charts with the Boy$ proclaiming “We on Fire”. Featuring follow Money duo Big Tymers – Baby and Mannie Fresh, second single “I Need A Hot Girl” added all the fluid and coals this album needed to maintain its heat. And it was undoubtedly hot.
With trunk-rattling production by Fresh, the four rappers camped out around his funky melodies and pounding bass drops. “Respect My Mind” and the drum-tastic “Boys at War”, which had a surprising boom-bap element to it, showcased how well they’d gelled as a unit, but also their individual improvements.
Each rhymer shined on solo tracks “You Dig” (Juvenile), “Help” (B.G.), “Bout Whatever” (Turk), and “Clear the Set” (Lil Wayne), but sounded further reinvigorated when together, like on the dirty-south-meets-west-coast rider “Tuesday & Thursday”.
Given what the Cash Money click of artists had become up to this point, Hot Boy$ 2nd full length did everything it was supposed to; and when this record played you couldn’t sit still, keep quiet, or stop flailing your arms to its energy. |THIS.
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
