Like It Should Be

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
If hip-hop were really about lyrical style and skill--and not about where you're from--Snupe would be platinum and his Bay Area crew, the Hieroglyphics, would be on top of the rap game. Snupe, the Houston-born/Oakland-bred MC and DJ behind Extra Prolific, has a swaggering confidence and a precise glide that hasn't been heard since that other Snoop came around. This Snupe, though, can twist and turn words with a speed and poetry Doggy Dogg can't touch. There are no threats--except when it comes to rhyming--and not an angry or violent sentiment on Like It Should Be. What drives Snupe is sex, and if you believe his ribald tales of skirt chASINg, he's had a good deal of success with the pastime. The record is raunchy without being brutal, dirty but rarely ugly, and often very funny. And for the repentant, Snupe's Southern gospel roots sneak out on "First Sermon": "Raise your hands we're having church today / Get out your seat we're having church today." In hand with the smart lyrics, Snupe's keen musical sense completes the package. While spare and unspectacular backing tracks have limited other Hieroglyphics acts like Souls of Mischief, Casual, and Del tha Funky Homosapien (many of whom guest here), Extra Prolific's '70s soul--thick and bubbly bass lines, cool keyboards--are good enough to stand alone. Like It Should Be is clearly among the best hip-hop albums of the year. --Roni Sarig

Like It Should Be,Extra Prolific,Jive,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Underground Rap,West Coast Rap

Like It Should Be

Like It Should Be

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)
Average customer rating:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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The Merry Widow

ASIN: B00009KHY2
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Customer Reviews:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow ".......2006-09-12

This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!

The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.

Average customer rating:

Overlooked Hieroglyphics classic
don't support exploit-ulators
Hiero's Black Sheep (4.5 stars)
Snatch This Off The Shelves {5 Stars}
Snupe we hardly knew you...

Like It Should Be
Extra Prolific
Manufacturer: Jive
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

West Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000000515
Release Date: 1994-10-25

Tracks:

Intro
Brown Sugar
In Front Of The Kids
Is It Right?
Sweet Potato Pie
Cash Money
One Motion
Never Changing
First Sermon
Now What
It's Alright
In 20 Minutes
Go Back To School
The Fat Outro
Brown Sugar (Domino Remix)
Give It Up

Amazon.com

If hip-hop were really about lyrical style and skill--and not about where you're from--Snupe would be platinum and his Bay Area crew, the Hieroglyphics, would be on top of the rap game. Snupe, the Houston-born/Oakland-bred MC and DJ behind Extra Prolific, has a swaggering confidence and a precise glide that hasn't been heard since that other Snoop came around. This Snupe, though, can twist and turn words with a speed and poetry Doggy Dogg can't touch. There are no threats--except when it comes to rhyming--and not an angry or violent sentiment on Like It Should Be. What drives Snupe is sex, and if you believe his ribald tales of skirt chASINg, he's had a good deal of success with the pastime. The record is raunchy without being brutal, dirty but rarely ugly, and often very funny. And for the repentant, Snupe's Southern gospel roots sneak out on "First Sermon": "Raise your hands we're having church today / Get out your seat we're having church today." In hand with the smart lyrics, Snupe's keen musical sense completes the package. While spare and unspectacular backing tracks have limited other Hieroglyphics acts like Souls of Mischief, Casual, and Del tha Funky Homosapien (many of whom guest here), Extra Prolific's '70s soul--thick and bubbly bass lines, cool keyboards--are good enough to stand alone. Like It Should Be is clearly among the best hip-hop albums of the year. --Roni Sarig

Customer Reviews:

Overlooked Hieroglyphics classic.......2007-04-21

The moniker Extra Prolific is really just a name for the hip hop product produced by DJ and rapper Snupe, a Hieroglyphics-affiliated and Houston-born, Oakland-bred MC. His album "As It Should Be" is an absolutely beautiful, musically gorgeous, lyrically inventive piece of music. Musically the beats are incredible. The music has a very live feel, often utilizing jazz instrumentation like a stand-up bass and soulful saxaphones. There's a great deal of 70s era soul inflicted as well, evidenced by the soaring vocal samples and production influence. At times, you'll even see a little southern-fried funk work its way into the beats through some slap guitars. These are some of the most purely appealing and unique beats I've ever heard, they're laidback, relaxing, and incredibly polished. Snupe is also especially interesting as a rapper. I like him because he speaks of the life of a pretty regular person in his raps, albeit one with a distinct gift as a performer. He's not a pimp or a player, certainly not a gangster, or a thug. He's not the least bit menacing, he comes across like a friendly young man, out to have a good time. As he raps about his inclinations and optimistic philosophies, it's easy to imagine him smiling as he raps over the beats. He's very unlike the other rappers in his Hieroglyphics crew, such as Souls of Mischief who were more inclined to rap of deep subjects or Del the Funkee Homosapien, both of whom were a little more out there lyrically. Snupe is one-of-a-kind, both as a rapper and a producer. This album is truly a slept-on masterpiece, and fans of jazzy production and '94-era hip hop (with no regard to coasts either) will adore "As It Should Be."

After a dope sounding intro, the album kicks in with "Brown Sugar," a bouncy and appealing song where Snupe speaks of his preferences in ladies. The beat is incredible and his rhymes are quite appealing. "In Front of the Kids" has a totally dope beat, with bluesy synths and a great vibe. Lyrically it matches the great beats, too, overall an excellent track. The nice "Is It Right?" precedes the wonderful "Sweet Potato Pie," a slow and lyrically grabbing song. Casual collaborates on the minute-and-a-half long "Cash Money," another highlight. "One Motion" has winding bass and great instrumentals, one of my favorite tracks, because lyrically it's so laidback and fun. I love the soulful chorus on "Never Changing," which is followed by my favorite song, "First Sermon." Over a typically funky jazzy beat, Snupe kicks some of his most likable verses, proclaiming that the listener "Lift your hands...to the man...we havin' church today" over a gorgeous sax in the hook. Souls of Mischief appear on the extra-funky collabo "Now What," and the unique "It's Alright" serves as a beautiful musical interlude. The typically great "In 20 Minutes" comes before the incredible "Go Back to School." After the well titled "Fat Outro" is another of my favorites, "Brown Sugar (Domino Remix)," a more soulful version. "Give It Up" closes out the album nicely.

I'm glad to see that this album is once again available for a reasonable price in the Amazon marketplace, there was a spell where people were asking for ridiculous prices. In any event, this album is a perfect piece of pure 1994 underground hip hop. Extra Prolific is a one-of-a-kind rap act, and the underground fan should go out of his/her way to add this album to the collection. A wonderful album in every sense.

don't support exploit-ulators.......2006-09-16

I just found another CD copy of this in the used bin for under ten bucks, so they're out there (especially if you keep it true to cassettes, which is how I had mine originally; I'm sure you can find it in this format if you know how to look). Don't line the pockets of these clowns who try to claim that nationally distributed rap CDs are valuable (they ain't). Dig deeper. Still, a real nice find: short, sweet, bangin'. Ironically, hailing from Houston puts Snupe's style more in line with the traditional Oakland steez that his clik was moving away from, but don't worry, he still gives plenty taste o the Hiero. The Domino beats are a notch above, but A-plus drops some gems too, such as the underground DJ-friendly "Now What" feat. Opio. After Snupe reminds the suckas that "there's extra robes in your choir stand" Opio drops one of the sickest Hiero verses of all-time. I would put this one on the level of Fear Itself and 93 til Infinity, and even a cut above No Need for Alarm.

Hiero's Black Sheep (4.5 stars).......2006-09-01

So who were these people? Extra Prolific consisting of Duane 'Snupe' Lee (and Mike G) were part of the Hieroglyphics, a group that I just became heavily intrested in this past year. Infact I didn't know that they were part of the Hiero fam until I saw some Listamania lists here on Amazon. The first time I heard Snupe was on the second half of the last verse on Del Tha Funkee Homosapien's "No More Worries" from his No Need For Alarm album. He kicked a dope verse and grabbed my attention.

So in 1994, he moved from his hometown, Houston, Texas to Oakland, California (hooking up with DJ Mike G.) released "Like It Should Be" under the group Extra Prolific. Production is OUTSTANDING, curteosy of Extra Prolific (Snupe would produce the majority and Mike G. would only do one), Domino, Casual, and A-Plus. It's really funky and smooth sailing, just check out "Brown Sugar" and "Sweet Potatio Pie".

Lyrically Snupe was great. He had one of those voices that blended in with the production. Most of the album he rhymes about females and his pimpin game on tracks like "One Motion" and "In 20 Minutes". He would take a break from all of those pimp rhymes and rhyme about other subjects, such as going to church on "First Sermon", as well as telling kids to focus on other things other than pimpin on the song "In Front Of The Kids", which is ironic because that song would contradict half of the album.

Guest Appearance are pretty dope. Casual would come for the minute or so track "Cash Money". Pep Love would team up with him on "Go Back To School". And Opio would have the better verse as he and Snupe diss wack emcees on the song "Now What".

Well, as you're aware Snupe was dropped from the Hiero roster, and that was very unfortunate. During Hiero's Third Eye Vision, Snupe would have contributed to the album vocally on some tracks (the ones reviewer Smoka J named), and it pains me that they were cut from the album (especially the "You Never Knew" track), because it would have been better than what it is now. Hopefully the Hieroglyphics will patch up their differences with him and add him back into the group, or atleast release all of the lost tracks that had his involvement one day. True, Snupe was recording another album called "2 for 15" that is extremely rare to find. Believe it or not he also had a third album called "Masterpiece". That album would have a songs like "Second Sermon" the sequel to the first one on this album. Snupe and Mike G. would also do an Old English Commercial, rhyming with eachother.

You should thank Extra Prolific (in response to Jimmy Garcia's review). This album is nothing but smooth lyrics and production, which is different from many Hiero albums that I've heard lately. It's sad that this album didn't get the love it deserved. From what I understood, this suffered lack of promotion and sales, making this one of the biggest slept on albums in the 90's. I for one am thankful that I own this album.

Also I believe that this is a reissue that Amazon is showing, because the version that I have doesn't have the last two tracks ("Brown Sugar [Remix]" and "Give It Up"), but I can imagine that those are dope tracks also worth hearing. Since this is out of print, it is becomming rare to find, so I suggest that you find a copy ASAP. If you're a Hiero fan and enjoyed "Third Eye Vision", I highly recommend this album to you.

Lyrics: A
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A+
Overall: A

My Favorite Tracks: Brown Sugar, Sweet Potato Pie, One Motion, First Sermon, Now What, It's Alright, Go Back To School, The Fat Outro

Snatch This Off The Shelves {5 Stars}.......2006-08-05

There isn't a whole lot that I can add to the other reviews. Smoka J's review is pretty accurate. This is definitely a classic. I had this on wax back in the day, but I let a friend borrow it and I never saw it again (you know how that goes). Anyway, I copped this about two weeks ago brand new and it still sounds as dope as it did back then. Plenty of laid back, funky flavor on this album. How albums like this fall between the cracks is beyond me.

There are no wack tracks. Nothing negative about this album at all. The replay is still great 12 years after its release.

Extra Prolific is one of those artists that just never really caught on. Was it because he was held back by Heiro? I don't know. I just wish he would've been recognized for his contributions. Extra Prolific did manage to drop a second album, but that one is even harder to find than this one is. Good luck finding it.

P.S. - forget these clowns charging $80 for this CD. I bought 3 copies on Ebay BRAND NEW and still in the shrink wrap for less than $20. The cheapest I saw was $6.99 and the most expensive was $30. Don't let these cats rip you off.

Standout Tracks: Every track is phat. No wackness here.

Snupe we hardly knew you..........2006-07-25

but at least the world will forever have this incredible album.

Extra Prolific is a duo consisting of MC Dwayne "Snupe" Lee and DJ/Producer Mike G, but I'll be honest, it's basically a solo act. Mike G has no vocals and only produces one track (the intro), the rest is all Snupe. I read that Mike G left Hiero shortly after this album dropped, for whatever reason, I don't really care.
Snupe was introduced into the Hiero camp by Casual, who was his freestyling partner in high school. Extra Pro were late additions into the crew and were never really staples in Hiero, often appearing sparingly within Hiero's amazing run of albums between 1993-1995. Unlike the main members of Hiero (Del, SOM, Casual, Pep, and producers Jay-Biz and Domino) who received enough guest spots on crew members albums to make their names stick, Snupe emerged with one guest verse and was subject mainly to the chorus and background hollering on a few tracks. Possibly, this negligence from the crew was the seed that grew into Snupe's eventual dismissal from Hieroglyphics.

A short breakdown of Snupe's pre-"3rd Eye Vision" Hiero contributions:
-Del's "No Need for Alarm" (1993), on the posse track "No More Worries," Snupe's verse was his intro to the world. He also produced the haunting head-banger "You're in Shambles."
-Souls of Mischief's "'93 'til Infinity" (1993), on "Batting Practice," Snupe was one of many hollering the hook.
-Casual's "Fear Itself" (1994), on "This is How we Rip S**t," Snupe trades the hook back and forth with A-Plus. Also on "Be Thousand," Snupe and Tajai come in with the background vocals.
-Souls' "No Man's Land" (1995), on the highly underrated "Time's Ain't Fair," Snupe adds the perfect flavor for a great hook. He also produced the track "Dirty D's Theme (Hoe or D*e)."

So as you can see, compared to the other crew members Snupe never really got his chance to shine...until "Like it Should Be" dropped in '94 and recieved 4 mics in The Source. This album has been deemed by far too many as Hiero's worst album and/or the most unpopular...to those I say `get the bozack.' Anyone with a lick of sense knows, if you actually peep this album in its entirety, you can't help but love it - it's perfect '94 west-coast Hip-Hop. Maybe it doesn't follow the traditional suit of Hiero's albums, but that is by no means grounds for dismissal - Extra Pro just has their own vibe. The majority of the tracks are produced by Snupe, with the rest of the beats handled by Mike G, Domino, Casual & A-Plus. The beats are funky, jazzy, original & catchy - the recipe that has helped make Hiero legendary.

The break-up between Hiero and Snupe, which was reportedly because the crew felt Snupe would be better off on his own (whatever that means) was officially announced on Dec 24th, 1996. As a result almost ALL of Snupe's contributions to the forthcoming Hiero super-album "3rd Eye Vision" were scrapped. The album dropped in mid-'98 and was a complete success (as successful as a dope non-commercial, non-sellout album can be). I personally love the album, but I can't help but think what it could have been, with Snupe's laid-back, funky verses. The ONLY track with Snupe that wasn't scrapped was the jazzy, game-show like "Off the Record," where Snupe has no verses but plays host introducing the MC's before each verse. So, a few years back I hunted like a ravenous wolf for Snupe's lost tracks that were supposed to appear on 3EV, this is what I came up with:
-"You Never Knew," the lead single off the album contains verses from every member of Hiero. I found the original version w/ Snupe, he comes in right after Del's verse - the album version will never be the same.
-"No Joke," features Casual, Pep Love, A-Plus and Snupe. Interestingly, Cas starts the song off with the verse he uses as his personal title track on 3EV. Producer, Domino.
-"Bubble Up," features Casual and Snupe trading verses and Pep and Tajai on the hook. Producer, Casual.
-"Hittin' Corners," features Pep Love and Snupe trading rhymes over a bumpin' beat by Snupe.
-"Snupe," as you know on 3EV each MC had a personal track, which was about a minute long and self-titled. This was Snupe's track and it's dope.
So as you can see, the album was missing alot of the pieces that were meant to complete the puzzle. I found these tracks years ago on a web-site that no longer exists, but YOU can find them on Hiero's web-site (Hieroglyphics dot com), unfortunately the sound quality is pretty bad, but a true fan will just be happy to hear them.

One more thing, I recently discovered that Snupe released a 2nd album in '96 after he was dropped from Hiero. The album is called "2 for 15" and it was recorded while he was still a part of the group. For the life of me I can't find it anywhere and I've been looking hard for years, so as far as I'm concerned it's OOP and lost forever. What was it with Hiero albums not getting released in 1996? Del's 3rd album "Future Development" was shelved until 2002, Casual's 2nd album "Meanwhile" was never commercially released and is only available on cassette through the Hiero web-site and now this recent discovery of Snupe's 2nd album that is impossible to find. Oh well, it is what it is. This long review was written for a good cause - to help raise awareness of Snupe who over the years, through this album has given me countless (!!!) hours of listening enjoyment. I've probably heard it straight through over 500 times, and I'm still not sick of it...that's how dope it is. I hope this review was helpful.

Bottom Line: Any fan of lounging Hip-Hop, especially Hiero fans need to own this album. It's incredible and I stand behind it 100%. A 5 star classic, Peace.

Average customer rating:

Extremely Country
Clay Cooper
Manufacturer: Clay Cooper
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA8QQI
Release Date: 2004-04-27

Tracks:

I'm a One Woman Man
I'm Gonna Love You Back to Loving Me Again
It's Too Late Now
Old Habits
Lucky Me, Lonely You
After the Fire Is Gone
Who's Counting
To Make You Feel My Love
Revenooer Man
Together Again
Deck of Cards

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Keepin It Country

Manufacturer: Apple Tree
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA6SOK
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Average customer rating:

Perils of a Small Town Life

Manufacturer: Walrus Gumboot
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAA4HW
Release Date: 2003-07-01

Average customer rating:

Another slept on product

The Life and Times of Walley DeLuxe
DeLoach
Manufacturer: Blackson
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000CA6RKA
Release Date: 2005-01-01

Customer Reviews:

Another slept on product.......2007-06-06

I know that sounds cliche these days. But seriously, here's an example of a good LP that got no kind of support whatsoever. Deloach had the production behind him with S1 (Strange Fruit Project) He displayed the skills to carry his own weight. And while it wasn't perfect, it was far and away from being trash. Of course, if you're into mainstream rap, where the artist (if you can still call them that...) haven't broken out of their mode of talking about the drug game, the number of women he has on his arm and how hot his whip is, you'll totally dismiss this one with a quickness. Deloach is a true throwback to the days when MCs had true skills and you better bring your best material or get dealt with in front of the crowd. And there's a difference between Deloach and the average every day artist we hear today, being that, he's not pretending to be something he's not. That's refreshing in this day and age. This LP was done out of the love for the art form, not the money as well. Seriously, you can't really go wrong with this one.

Average customer rating:

The Heat
Class6 Productions
Manufacturer: Class6 Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAFF6M
Release Date: 2004-03-16

Tracks:

Intro
Carry You Home
Tag Team
Get It In
E-Way
Beef
Time to Waste
Brotherly Love
Streetz of Philly
Star Spangled
Whatchu Want
Plague
Unforgettable
Master
Can't Hold On
Done Get It F! @#$%d Up
Are You Up There?
Breathe Eazzy
Outtro

Average customer rating:

Listen Closely
Flownice
Manufacturer: World Records Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 R&B | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rap & Hip-Hop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000BGQW8W
Release Date: 2005-09-19

Tracks:

Intro
These Kids '05
Hit the Mic Right
Hey, Hello
1 Sided Love Song
So Happy
Last Night
My Dear
Head Nod
Sucka Free
Blaze Break
Zone Out (skit)
That Place
Me Saboriar
The Big Score
Nice N Nasty
Additional Help
Not Mentioning Names (4 My Homies)
I Always Knew

Product Description

Flow Nice creates a smooth blend of Hip Hop containing laid back jazz style melodies, Latin style percussion and shoulder shaking breaks that integrates turntablism and lyrics for an end result of a much needed return of truly Nice Hip Hop. The music style and sound has been influenced by the likes of Tribe Called Quest, People Under the Stairs and De La Soul. In addition Flow Nice incorporates turntablism and samples as instruments which lends to the progress of their sound as a new style, rooted in the classics of the genre.

Average customer rating:

The Lesser Known Nielsen, Vol. 3

Manufacturer: Rondo Grammofon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000009K5K
Release Date: 1995-03-23

Tchaikovsky Rachmaninov Glinka Dargomyzhsky Romances / Araxia Davtian (Russian Disc)

Average customer rating:

Tchaikovsky Rachmaninov Glinka Dargomyzhsky Romances / Araxia Davtian (Russian Disc)

Manufacturer: Russian Disc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001LME
Release Date: 1996-03-19

Tracks: