When you look in National Geographic, they’re not messing with the Silverback Gorilla. I call it “Silverback Gorilla” strictly in the sense because it’s a concrete jungle out here and I’m one of the fiercest muthaf*ckas in this jungle. The fact is that, no matter how many albums as good as Silverback Gorilla Sheek manages to put out, the legacy of the LOX will always appear to be more dictated by the work of Jadakiss and Styles P.WHO?MAG: Talk to me about the new album “Silverback Gorilla”? On “Mic Check”, he reflects upon what his group done and the impression they will leave on hip-hop. Unless he somehow shows us some great strength we never knew he had, Sheek has already either met or exceeded most expectations anyone would have had for him. The two other members of his crew have demonstrated high points that make them seem capable of crafting classics a merely good album from either of them will always be perceived as somewhat of a failure. The problem with Sheek Louch as a solo artist is that a consistently good album like Silverback Gorilla seems to be the best thing that could have been expected from him. Considering that this is an independent release for which the collaboration budget couldn’t have been too large, the fact that these artists appear attests to the kind of name Sheek (with much due to his affiliation) has built in the world of hip-hop. Jadakiss and Styles P each show to support their crew member, twice and three times, respectively. Other features include Fat Joe, as well as Jim Jones and Hell Rell from the Diplomats. “Think We Got a Problem” features The Game and Bun-B, both of whom are not only extremely popular in their respective regions, but also worldwide. He adopts a southern flow on “We Comin’” with Atlanta’s Unk and surprisingly succeeds without the song sounding like an awkward attempt at a crossover. Silverback Gorilla boasts a guest list that does nothing if not prove the respect Sheek has from all across the hip-hop map. He even sarcastically acknowledges his rank within The LOX referring to himself as “the sleeper of the crew” on “We Spray Crowds”. The album is not without its fair share gangster threats and holier-than-thou braggadocio, but Sheek, more often than not approaches things with sincerity and a sense of humor. ![]() He might have angrily chastised copycat rappers before, but on “Don’t Be Them” he offers support and encourages wannabes to recognize their own potential without emulating their idols. Sheek never sounds as upbeat as he does on “Good Love” throughout the rest of Silverback Gorilla, but he generally addresses topics with a seemingly more positive outlook than he has in the past. It is an uncharacteristically happy song that brings to mind (but doesn’t quite deserve comparisons to) classics like Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day” and The Game’s “Hate It or Love It”. The track – produced by the underrated Red Spyda - utilizes a soulful Betty Wright sample and bouncy piano keys over which Sheek rhymes verses that are just as much about finding good love from women as they are about loving life in general. As soon as the lead single “Good Love” from his third LP Silverback Gorilla hit, it became apparent that this positive trend would continue. Sheek’s first two solo albums, Walk Wit’ Me and After Taxes, released in 20, respectively, were both solid, good-but-not-great works which displayed promising artistic growth from one to the other. While he might never reach the highs that Jadakiss or Styles have reached, his strengths possibly extend across a larger range than either of his two cohorts. ![]() Considering this, his status as the least heralded member of The LOX makes perfect sense it also, however, might explain his track record as perhaps the most consistent solo artist of the crew. Sheek, as far as his strengths as an artist are concerned, falls quite literally right in between the other two members of his crew he shows flashes of cleverness with a voice not quite as raspy as Jada’s and an emotional delivery that lacks some of Styles’ intensity. Styles P, with his hardcore lyricism and fierce delivery, possesses a Tupac-like ability to get powerful messages across. Jadakiss is, quite simply, one of the cleverest wordsmiths and punch-line artists in hip-hop’s history with an incredibly smooth flow and a great, raspy voice. This is not without reason as both Jadakiss and Styles P deserve mention in any discussion of the greatest emcees working today. ![]() As a member of the Yonkers, NY trio The LOX, Sheek Louch has consistently been overshadowed by his two partners.
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