Brought to you straight from the San Francisco Bay Area comes Federation, the next commercial hip-hop enterprise to take over with a bad attitude. Their second release, It’s Whateva seeks to represent the hyphy car culture of the West Coast.
Though this is a slick and shiny production, helped and influenced by veteran producer Rick Rock, the earthquake bass lines and in your face I don’t give a care what you think lyrics, make for some good frontin’, look at my fancy wheels, kind of cuts. For the most part, the lyrics are cleverly designed and the blazing chants are noteworthy. But, if one is not delighted to hear about endless blowjobs and the b word in relation to this overplayed subject, then this disc is not recommended. Federation’s trio consists of Goldie on main vocals, with Stressmatic and Doonie Baby on backup vocals.
Out of 21 tracks, there are a few prize cuts, and a few special mentions to jam out to. Starting with the opener track Playtime Is Over, attitude is heavily paired with fired up bomber beats. 18 Dummy is an almost laughable track; think of a car crash that you cannot help but watch, even though you know what is coming. Goldie has a vocal style that resembles the likes of Busta Rhymes, and this group is not at all afraid of speaking their minds. Scraper 2 A Benz gives a shout out to all the pimped out cars that compete just as proudly against souped up foreign cars. She Go is odd in the way that an eighties synth sound is used along with distinct hip-hop flavor, yet they manage to make it gel. Jail Skit is the sounds of writing and the inner torment of the prisoner’s inner thoughts and musings. When I Was Yo Man is a pretty R&B ditty about the never antiquated subject of lost love, complete with keys. Lastly, Bang Bang is a hard hitting, intense war song designed to make the listener ready for battle.
All in all, It’s Whateva is suggested for listeners that like to smoke up, drive shiny things with the bass up full blast, and look good doing it at the same time. This is not the type of album that you would play for your mom, but it is great for pre-battle music. If one can deal with the negative references to women, and the at times silly and over-the-top machismo stance/lyrics, then check out this fire starter group. There are elements of R&B, rock, pop, and metal to keep the listener amused enough while showing off ones “coolness” while cruising down the strip.