Pirated Copy - 2 Shotz

2 Shotz is one of the MC's under Da Trybe records, and his album Pirated
Copy is the typical rap album; a couple of hot singles, silly skits, and
just enough filler.

The album dives face-in to the main theme of the album; Pirated music. 2
Shotz takes his album to the dealers, only to realize his album has been
pirated before its release...

Once you pass the intro without loosing your composure, 2 Shotz first
single, Carry Am Go, continues the crusade; The track is a scathing burn to
"Ole's" (thieves) of all sorts. With tight backing beats, and 2 Shotz calm
but dope delivery, (and the catchy hook) this has to be 2 Shotz signature
track. The only problem with placing your top track as the fist is that the
other tracks have to be just as good (if not better), for a favorable
impression.

2 Shotz uses "Na Dem Sabi" to introduce himself, doesn't hesitate to mention
his crew, "the tribe", and takes shots at haters. Which Kain Nonsense has 2
Shotz taking aim at other Naija hip hop artists.

I think the next remarkable track, after Carry Am Go is Odeshi, his vivid
narrative of a confrontation between himself and an opponent (a much bigger
opponent). 2 Shotz's quick pace is carried by tension-inducing beats. A
humorous 2 Shotz is what works in this track. Notable Quote:
"When man fall down, no be the end of im life...
"..Eheh, stand well well when persin wan chook you knife"
I can predict how the video for this song would look..

The Lamentation skit is a short anecdote on corrupt Nigerian police. Lagos
Life, a slick track by Del of the Trybe, doesn't feature 2 Shotz at all.

2 Shotz saves the best for last, and its aptly called Delicious. Whats
really good with this track? It features a rapper who's high pitched voice
perfectly complements 2 Shotz calm delivery (the rapper's the pirate from
the intro track). Their lyrics are seamlessly interwoven with Igbo, pidgin
and English. The interchange between 2 Shotz and the other rapper is nearly
flawless. And their gawking at well endowed females is shamelessly done,
stuffed with descriptive adjectives. All done over menacing beats. Good
stuff.

In 2 Shotz final skit, he gets a corrupt police officer to help get even
with his pirate friend. Both skits are an attempt to portray the piracy
issue in Nigeria. Even with the obvious filler material, Pirated Copy is a
well produced album, showing the Trybe as an able team, capable of carrying
a skilled rapper like 2 Shotz.

Email Ike at kechola@hotmail.com