Prince Paul - Politics Of The Business

“Industry rule no. 4,080: record company people are shady” –A Tribe Called Quest, “Check The Rhyme” From Alanis to the Dixie Chicks to the Artist Formerly Known As Prince, artists railing against the music machine share a common lament. However, in the land of bling that is post-millenium hiphop, insuring proper cashflow (not to mention respect) is a somewhat higher priority. Prince Paul – one of the genre’s most innovative and legendary producers - has dedicated an entire concept album of sorts to that quandary in Politics of the Business. Splitting from De La Soul after three seminal LPs, Paul came back onto the scene with two clever and finely crafted efforts: the thoroughly odd Psychoanalysis (What Is It?), and the sprawlingly ambitious “hiphopera” A Prince Among Thieves. While both releases garnered well-earned critical acclaim, labels found the albums “difficult” to market, and as a result, fell miles away from platinum status. Politics of the Business is a dis record - a response to Paul's own shady treatment at the hands of a fickle industry. In a signature 180-degree move from past work, Paul eschews bizarre samples and experimental beats to skewer his target with a taste of it's own medicine: radio-friendly tracks and A-list guest appearances (including Erick Sermon, Chris Rock, Ice-T, Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, Dave Chappelle, and many others). From the hysterical “boardroom” skits that bookend the disc, to the sarcastic voiceovers from top-40 rap radio announcers, Paul’s trademark humor remains intact, even in the more “accessible” format (which is no joke - all these songs could hold their weight with Jay-Z's latest, equally at home bouncing in the club or rattling your car's windows fa' sho). All the pointed commentary and comedy would be for naught, however, were it not for Prince Paul’s genuine love for hiphop, a love that permeates the disc; “Drama Queen,” about girls who can’t deal with being mistresses to “the music” when their men are in the studio, sums up this sentiment perfectly. Even if Politics of the Business meets the same fate as his last few albums, there’s no doubt that Paul will keep doing his thing simply for the love to create – it’d just be nice to see him get the dough he deserves this time. [www.razorandtie.com]