Vast Aire and Mighty Mi: two of the most celebrated names in East Coast underground. Mighty Mi has been making beats since Rawkus' heyday and Vast Aire has garnered some of the most vehement praise from fans and critics alike. But as of late, they've both been relatively quiet. But on The Best Damn Rap Show, both Vast and Mi seem to have picked up exactly where they left off. Don't fret -- they haven't made any giant leaps in their styles or abilities, so you haven't missed much. Vast Aire continues to supply the listener with pauses that allow ample time to digest his heralded punchlines. These punchlines, of course, range from elementary to quadruple entendres. He recites every line as though he's delivering an invaluable sermon to his audience. This collection of songs, along with his recent mixtapes and solo debut (Look Mom...No Hands), prove that he isn't as penetrating as he can be when coupled up with Vordul. More than likely, Cold Vein is an album he'll be buried by for the rest of his career. Elsewhere, Mighty Mi stays loyal to his method of production, relying on breaks and simple infectious samples most of the time. This works of course. One wonders if this ethical method of beatmaking will ever grow old. Doubtful. For Vast Aire and Mighty Mi, The Best Damn Rap Show is an appropriate, yet flawed collaboration. Sure, they compliment each other well, but the comfort zone is overshadowed by their lack of risk and rudimentary approach.
1. The Best Damn Rap Show
2. What Goes Up
3. Taboo
4. The Workover
5. Friendly Fire
6. Fighter Pilots
7. Buck 50 Express
8. Black Sunday
9. Vintage
10. Aire Maestro
11. Buttafly Knife
12. Off The Board