December 11, 2000
Funkmaster Flex : Presents 60 Minutes Of Funk - Mixtape Volume IV
It's so successful because Flex can be assured of the services of all the leading people in hip hop...
7 / 10
Funkmaster Flex has truly got it locked down. Shows in two major US radio markets, Hot 97 in New York and Power 106 in Los Angeles; he's an MTV host; his show is syndicated to the Radio One Rap Show with Tim Westwood; and he DJs every week at New York's hottest club The Tunnel. Unquestionably Flex is the most revered hip hop DJ in the world.
That being the case, when he puts his name to anything, it's likely to sell through crediblity alone. As such, his own '60 Minutes Of Funk' series is one of the best known hip hop compilations in the world. Taking the format from a true hip hop tradition, the mixtape, it's so successful because Flex can be assured of the services of all the leading people in hip hop who know that being on this album is the ultimate showcase for their work - particularly since most of the major labels are releasing such mix tapes (featuring their own roster) as a way of promotion.
As ever, this fourth volume features the usual mix of exclusives, freestyles and rarities from the likes of Dr Dre, DMX, the late Notorious B.I.G., Lil Kim, Eminem, and Nelly among others, all mixed with a little R&B from Faith Evans and Ginuwine. A perfect album for your ride. Although when you break each track down individually, few are exceptional, barring MOP and Busta Rhymes' 'Ante Up', Eminem's 'Words Are Weapons' and Lady Luck's 'Rush'. Still, it's one of the few albums that you'll hear featuring such a range of bi-coastal hip hop styles.
Derek A Bardowell
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