Magic – Thuggin’ was the sophomore album from ex-No Limit star Magic which was much more explicit and gangsta rap oriented than his debut album Sky’s the Limit. This album was new and experimental for him as one can tell. Master P was trying to bring a new sound to the label during this time as he had Magic change up his style and lyrical delivery. This album definitely has that rough edge of Southern style street rap from the 9th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. Lyricism is what rap is currently missing. This was a very underrated No Limit album from 1999.
One thing that is noticeable is that this Magic album did not rely on a tinge of soul as was the case with his album. This album heavily relied on gangsta rap more than soul.
Not too many people but only No Limit fans know this bit of factual information, his second album was released as a joint effort venture on TRU Records and No Limit Records in 1999. You can see the TRU Records emblem logo underneath the THANK YOU’S section. Some of you might remember this and some of you might not that C-Murder also produced the album.
Magic made his magical return and comeback on the song That’s Me. However the overuse of the word “motherfucker” makes song not so magical or triumphant. He goes on to brag about how he is on top of his lyrical game.
Now the electronic instrumentation with those synths and pads makes the song very futuristic sounding and way ahead of time for a song recorded and released in 1999. One thing you will notice when you first play the song is the futuristic sounding electronic instrumentation and production.
Magic is that motherfucking nigga that everyone asking is about. That nigga Mr. Magic. The one they call Mr. Magic.
Magic treats the mic like a blunt. So watch Mr. Magic get high. Spitting lyrical fire until the day he dies. Ya’ll remember him as that shadow that jumped out of the midst. Making hit after hit and got the whole rap game pissed. Magic’s got them wondering where he came from.
Now Magic is the whisper you can hear in every project hall. The conversation you can hear through every crack in the wall. The funny noises you can hear in your house when it’s dark. The biggest upset in years because he is at the top of the charts. He’s got niggas wondering why the fuck they are struggling. That’s a fucked position that Magic put you in. It’s all to be expected that you niggas couldn’t even vision. Magic went from serving fiends to posing in magazines for No Limit Records in front of the whole world so nobody would have any doubt.
These were the most quotable and memorable lyrics Magic was spitting on the song.
I treat the mic like a blunt so watch Mr. Magic get high
Spitting lyrical fire ’til the day I die
Ya’ll remember me as that shadow that jumped out of the midst
Making hit after hit and got the whole rap game pissed
Got ’em wondering where I came from
I’m the whisper you can hear in every project hall
The conversation you can hear through every crack in the wall
The funny noises you can hear in your house when it’s dark
The biggest upset in years cause I’m at the top of the charts
Got niggas wondering why the fuck they struggling
I guess that’s a fucked position that Magic put you in
Just name a designated time and a designated place
Point them niggas out and I promise they be erased
I treat the mic like a blunt so watch Mr. Magic get high
Spitting lyrical fire ’til the day I die
Ya’ll remember me as that shadow that jumped out of the midst
Making hit after hit and got the whole rap game pissed
I’ll be flippin MC’s until the day that I’m deceased
And got every record label waiting on my contract to be released
Give you a run for your money and bitch I’ll take your shit
I’ll run your pussy ass home like a bitch
I spin and been like a motherfucking tornado
Cut your from nose to navel, now that shit gonna potato
Here are some of the one liners he was rapping.
You can’t stop what supposed to be
You underestimate my consistency
Give you a run for your money and bitch I’ll take your shit
Just name a designated time and a designated place
I’ll rape Barney and kill Officer Friendly
I’ll run your pussy ass home like a bitch
I spin and been like a motherfucking tornado
My dope is high coat, smoking po-po till I die
Cut your from nose to navel, now that shit gonna potato
Good Lookin Out displayed the lyrical ability of both Magic and D.I.G. together on one song. D.I.G. took most of the spotlight though. D.I.G. stay committed with his lyrical ability and rapping style. He is a TRU nigga.
The song showed how Magic improved with not only his lyrics but his storytelling ability. Magic told the story of him and a female friend who was practically his neighbor went together on a caper. However the caper went awry and had backed fired on him with unintended consequences as this all started as a misunderstanding.
It’s a shame this all started as a misunderstanding. There is no turning around because his money is demanded. Magic and a female friend who was practically his neighbor went together on a caper. 3 people died during their caper and Magic ain’t got a fuckin’ quarter. He did all the shooting. He’ll return the favor when the job is done.
It was plain and obvious to tell that Master P and No Limit were trying to imitate that sound Cash Money Records was blowing up with at the end of the 20th century in 1999 with the song Ice On My Wrist. Ice On My Wrist is about expensive watches. Quite futuristic and dated at the same time.
It was plain and obvious to tell that Master P was trying to imitate that sound Cash Money Records was blowing up with in 1999 especially with the lyrics. He even used popular term “Bling Bling” in the song. Read these lyrics.
I’m just a young nigga hanging with the thug niggas
Rollin with the drug dealers now they wanna mug niggas
Ghetto Fabulous I mean we ballin
I represent the 3rd Ward, Calliope, New Orleans
If the price is on sale then I’ma buy it
Niggas talkin bout they bigger than No Limit don’t try it
No Limit don’t stunt, or front, we got bank
I put that on the tank, and about 72 minks
In the closet, you want it we got it
Y’all leasin, we buyin, No Limit soldiers raise your Rolex high
My cousin Hot Boy just got out the pen
And check his wrist I mean he sitting on I-10
Bling Bling with a 2000 big body
Hit the club and the girls get rowdy rowdy
Humvees on stretch, Ferrari’s and ‘Vette’s
And a Rolls in the garage that I ain’t even drove yet
The ice on my wrist shine like a light
I can brighten up your day even at night
9th Ward was a song about his neighborhood known as 9th Ward which is located in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Magic is from the 9th Ward. He has been there since the day he was born. I bet you won’t follow him across that canal where his niggas dwell. Every nigga down there remembers Magic. Nothin’ really changed but his gold teeth. He is still that same nigga from Flood Street. Flood Street is a well known street in New Orleans that was once known for drugs, crime, and poverty.
Only difference now is that he don’t sell dope no mo’ because he is performing in shows. Shakin’ off hoes and smoking on optimos. No matter millions or which ever the situation might come. He is ’bout them motherfucking thangs.
Magic shows us that he has not lost touch with his 9th Ward roots and has not forgotten where he came from with these lyrics.
You know you could take the nigga out the nine
But you can’t take the nine out of nigga
Pulling capers is my nature
I’m addicted to making paper
Got my own way of living
Bitch I’m from the C-T-C
Where niggas roam around looking for beef
Killing for free
I take this ward shit to heart
It’s tated on my arm
So me and my niggas never part
I keep you niggas in my mind
For every clucker that I serve
For every nigga that I shot
For every tourist that I robbed
To every god damn rock
For every cop that done chased me
To the bitches that hate me
What have you done for me lately
For every neighbor that was peeking at four o’clock in da morn
It never helped to lock me up
You could’ve left me alone
We learned to improvise on my block
Never had a ball
We played football wit’ a concrete rock
Now picture that
I could never forget my mission
I’m a turn the nine into something bigger that yo’ vision
Before I’m done the world’ll scream
CTC stands for Cross That Canal and is reference to the Lower and Upper parts of the Ninth being separated by a bridge called Judge Seeber (now known as the Claiborne Bridge) in one area and The St. Claude Bridge.
I rate this album 4/5****.
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