Boot Camp Clik

The Boot Camp Clik are one of the few collectives around since the early ’90s that are still regularly issuing records. Last year they issued albums from Buckshot, Sean Price and Smif n Wessun from under the Boot Camp umbrella and now the group have reconvened for their third collective effort. While head honcho Buckshot is clearly still in charge, all group members, including returning Heltah Skeltah MC Rock and a scene-stealing Sean Price, get an equal chance at strutting their microphone flair. Aiding them in this quest is an enviable cast of beatsmiths. 9th Wonder continues his recent association with the collective and Canadian beatsmiths Marco Polo and Attic acquit themselves admirably. The addition of veterans like Pete Rock and Large Professor also show up to bless the crew with their presence. Lyrically, the collective remains intent and focused on proving their relevance and rarely fall back on their past and noteworthy achievements. The mournful dedication of "He Gave His Life” speaks to the deeper maturity on display, belying some of the trigger-happy banter from the crew’s past and underlines the crew’s evolution. As one of the few crews that have remained relatively intact and relevant, the Boot Camp Clik don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Yet as The Last Stand shows, their respect comes from a continuing desire to earn it.