Ghostface Killah and Trife da God Featuring Theodore Unit

Put it on the Line has all the fundamentals of lovely hip-hop tightly sewn together throughout its 15 tracks to make it one of the best albums to come out of the underground in the past couple of years. The fundamentals, such as snare drums doubled-up with the right symbols to make the beats knock harder, and having the samples stretch out into the songs to make them come alive, carry the album from beginning to end with little disappointment. Its energy and tightness are proof of Ghostface’s inspirational leadership qualities as a rapper. His rugged protégé Trife, matches Ghost’s intricate flow style-wise, and almost breath for breath throughout the album — from its first track "Cocaine Trafficking” to "Fire.” "Milk Me” is Supreme Clientele-era Ghostface brought up to date, as he raps with bunched-up lyrical combos over a splashing deep percussive drum loop. Ghost and Trife seem to compete for who can generate the most heat with their high velocity rhymes over a beat that combines a wailing vocal sample, with treble and bass clef piano scales. The Theodore Unit play a strong supportive role on this one, but the spotlight belongs to Trife and Ghost. Songs like "Struggle” and "War” combine brilliant samples and creativity to express ghetto hardships. "War” is a solo effort by Trife that reworks the Bob Marley classic, and his message on the song is unity from hood to hood. This album is a sure shot led by Ghostface Killah and the pure rugged talent of Trife De God.