Greatest Hits

by Goldie Lookin Chain (Atlantic Records)

I hate 'gangsta' rap. In fact, I really don't like any kind of rap. Biggie Smalls, Tupac, P Diddy and the latest whiners who clearly never attended English classes, Eminem and 50 Cent. What a load of rubbish!

So what am I doing reviewing Goldie Lookin Chain? Well, I heard the track 'Guns don't kill people, rappers do' on the radio and was so impressed that I had to listen to the whole album. And what a brilliant album it is.

Musically, Goldie Lookin Chain aren't going to win any awards. But lyrically, they're fantastic. This whole album is a committed ridiculing of the rap scene. Only a British group - these boys are from Newport in Wales - could combine the dry, sarcastic, self-deprecating humour, creativity and bare-faced cheek necessary to do a proper job on any artist and fan who takes rap seriously. 'Self Suicide' is a case in point, all about how the best way for an artist to become famous and really start to bring in the money is to commit suicide.

Track 10, 'You knows I loves you' identifies the pathetic attempts of rap artists to produce love songs and with typical humour, speaks of eating crisps on a bus as romantic serenading and social security benefit payments as a fall-back plan if the condom splits! The wonderful thing about comedy is that the best sort always touches on an exaggerated bit of reality!

I have two complaints:

1. This is way too short - 38 minutes barely constitutes an album.

2. With such a light-hearted approach, it really isn't necessary to have so much offensive language and that just spoils the comedy.

Don't listen to GLC if you're going to be offended easily. I'm afraid that some of their content is that bad. But do listen to them if you're fed up with 'rap' and will apreciate a light-hearted approach.

Being a Goldie Lookin Chain fan I feel that I am now truly 'street' - "you knows it"!