Shystie

I hate titles for reviews.

Anyway... Shystie is a very talented MC from the UK. Her flow is generally fast and a little dirty, although she isn't afraid to step it down a notch for some songs. Nevertheless, her talent is impressive.

The album starts off with some spoken word where Shystie brings up issues involving people criticizing her in regards to finally being recognized for her talent. No music, just her spitting some verses which she does a lovely job at doing.

The next track, her single, comes along and the album doesn't let up... in a few tracks her flow is almost lightning speed (tracks 3 and especially 11 come to mind). We also have some tracks like Questions (Game Show) that show that Shystie isn't afraid to get a little creative with her songs; in that particular track, Shystie is pitted in an interview where she basically lyrically chastises the guys interviewing her. A fun song to listen to.

The production value is tight, featuring tracks that are bumpin' and can get your booty shaking. Does that mean this is similar to the tripe they play on the radio? No... the lyrics are meaningful without getting pretentious... much better than the garbage radios spew; she's honest and confident about her skills, but every single song isn't about how she's the Queen Bee or anything like that like with some of the US counterparts. Shystie keeps guest appearances to a minimal, relying mostly on her skills to keep the listeners entertained.

Despite a few weaker tracks (the bonus tracks aren't particularly strong), Diamond in the Dirt is a solid album featuring a female MC unafraid to show off her skills. A solid buy if you like the British accent in your hip-hop.

Shystie is one of the best female MC's I've heard in a long time, but she is underrated. Many people do not even know about her music. This album is the type of album that I can play without even changing a song with the exception of one or two songs. I rate each song as follows:

1)Intro- 3/5
2)One Wish- 4/5
3)Gutter- 5/5
4)Step Bac- 5/5
5)Woman's World (Stand Up)- 4/5
6)Questions (Game Show)- 5/5
7)Make It Easy- 4/5
8)Unfinished Bizzness- 5/5
9)Bank Robbery- 2/5
10)Get Loose- 3/5
11)Can't Play- 4/5
12)Skit- 3/5
13)Somedayz- 4/5
14)Armshouse- 2/5
15)Juiced- 2/5

Shystie is the best female rapper in the UK (probably the best rapper in UK period). She needs to be heard by the world. She can write, she can rap and she defines the UK rap urban scene.

Best songs on the album:
One Wish 10/10
Make it easy 7/10

but overrall this album is great.