These days, everything has a soundtrack; movies, TV Shows, even video games. Yes, video games. This trend has slowly developed, with Rockstar games being on the forefront with their "Grand Theft Auto" series. On the athletic front, 2K Sports has not been far behind. For 2007's "All Pro Football 2K8," 2K enlisted DJ Z-Trip to compile music to get heads nodding as players manipulate gridiron gladiators through thrilling scoring drives and goal line defensive stands. True to his famed skills, Z-Trip gets the party rocking with a series of fresh remixes, mash-ups and original tunes.
Can Z-Trip go wrong bringing in rappers like Gift of Gab, Slug, Rakim, Dead Prez and Casual? The answer is simple, no. The range of voices keeps things fresh and exciting over the short 45 minute run of the mix. When Lateef kicks the line, "I'm impervious to injury / unlike Michael Vick," he may just be referring to the fact that we are playing a virtual version of a violent game, but his unintentional commentary also makes the record unusually perfect for this upcoming NFL season.
"Locked and Loaded" has Dead Prez spitting back to the wall, fight for the cause lyrics over a Deftones backing. The result is pure aggression; a crushing open field tackle on wax. Mashing Rakim and Chevelle for "Let the Rhythm Hit 'em 2007," yields a similar feel. Aceyalone manufactures the track for the players that score on every drive. "Automatic At It," has the Freestyle Fellowship vet bragging over a hard break beat, and speeding past suckers like Reggie Bush through an open hole. Z-Trip's remix skills are on show with his take on Rush's "Tom Sawyer," adding head nod appeal to the track.
While radio is filled with a few would be rock star rappers, Z-Trip's creation fuses MCs of real talent with proper hard-hitting rock. It's certainly not the soundtrack for a lazy summer Sunday, but in the heat of competition the music will keep the adrenaline flowing. As a stand alone disk, it entertains. Save for a few well placed football references by the able rappers, listeners can easily forget the original intention of this project.
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