Even gangsta rap has to grow up: that's a good way to explain DJ Quik's artistic approach on his fifth album, Balance And Options, which combines classic party joints ("Pitch In On A Party") with more contemplative tracks than usual.
This is evident on the keyboard-heavy "Change Da Game," a call for playas to stop fronting on image and money, and start showing up with talent. Although the album showcases a more mature quality to Quik's lyrics, it's still full of the clever and humorous choruses that have made him so popular in West Coast hip-hop. Case in point: the electro-flavored "Sexuality," in which he flips his normal misogyny to school women on the results of their easy ways.
In an age where rappers just stick their verses over monotonous beats, DJ Quik is one of the few artists to feature quality musicianship over all the tracks. This really shines on such tracks as "Roger's Groove" (a tribute to Mr. Troutman), "Quik's Groove V," and "Well," one of the highlights of the album. On "Well," he teams up again with Raphael Saadiq, and uses a 28-piece orchestra to speak about the transitions of growing older. James DeBarge contributes a beautiful vocal on "Tha Divorce Song," while the usual suspects Mausberg, AMG, and Suga Free blow up spots on a well-rounded album that is soon to be a classic. DJ Quik has definitely shown that he has found the perfect balance.
All recordings courtesy of Arista Records. ΓÇ£Pitch In On A PartyΓÇ¥ written by DJ Quik; courtesy of Protoons, Inc./Way 2 Quik Music administered by Protoons Inc. (ASCAP). ΓÇ£U Ain't Fresh!ΓÇ¥ written by DJ Quik, E. Sermon; courtesy of Protoons, Inc./Way 2 Quik Music, administered by Protoons Inc./Zomba Enterprises, Inc./Erick Sermon Enterprises, Inc. (ASCAP). ΓÇ£Do I Love Her?ΓÇ¥ written by DJ Quik, Suga Free; courtesy of Protoons, Inc./Way 2 Quik Music administered by Protoons Inc. (ASCAP)/Royl Rock (BMI).
