What do you think when you hear the word ‘party’? Some may think of going to the club, dancing and having a good time. Some may think of the overwhelming hangover after a long night of heavy drinking. There are some that might think of politics, children, hats, favours, etc… So when I first listened to The Majesticons’ Beauty Party, I put aside my definition of the word ‘party’ and let Mike Ladd describe to me his connotation of the overly exploited word.
The Majesticons is the beautiful and amorous profile of Mike Ladd's two-face cerebral project. His Infesticons’ Gun Hill Road released in 2001 was gritty, catastrophic, and intelligent underground hip-hop from the slums of a glorious New York City. Now the famous brainy producer is back with The Majesticons, the obvious lighter side and more accessible outfit of the Infesticons assemblage. If we could just hear Mike Ladd's cranial soliloquy, it may sound like this; “Hello mainstream, goodbye underground. Hello fame, goodbye smoky, roach infested clubs. No, No, No! Don't sell out! Must stay on path! I am too smart for the mainstream! I contribute too much to the underground!!!!!! No, must get to mainstream! You Bastard!! I must kill the mainstream!!! AHHHH!!”
Selling out is the fundamental concept behind Beauty Party. But before you turn your nose away from this album in disgust, I must clarify my statement. This album is full of musical styles, including hip-hop, soul, funk, old school, pop, and gangsta rap. The vocals range from sexy, bluesy female vocals on “Luv Thief Party” to raw and energetic rapping on “Suburb Party.” This album is mainstream cliché trying to touch every style possible. So why is it so good? Because the concept of this album is achieved by creating harmony between two divided state of mind. While Infesticons blasted every opponent with bludgeoning force, Majesticons sits everybody down and tells them that everything will be okay and things will get better. Disorder followed by order; a really nice theme in today's world of anguish and terror.
The Majesticons is a perfect illustration of Mike Ladd's bipolar mind. The Infesticons’ Gun Hill Road wanted you to see the world as it was and have you turn your back on it. The Majesticons’ Beauty Party wants you to see the world and embrace it. This is Mike Ladd's ‘party,’ and I can see him now at the bar talking to someone right now about his girlfriends positive experience getting liposuction and how much he loves his new rolex watch. Let's go to the bar and have a drink, ‘cause Mike Ladd is buying! Party!
1. Intro party
2. Piranha party
3. Fader party
4. Prom night party
5. Brains party
6. Luv thief party
7. Platinum blaque party
8. Helicopter party
9. Majestwest party
10. Dwarf star party
11. Suburb party
12. Game party
13. Parlor party
14. Volvo party
15. San trope party