Evidence - Cats & Dogs
Posted by Evan La Ruffa on 26th Oct 2011
by Clever One
Big Ev kills it with this one. 2011’s Cats & Dogs by Evidence of the legendary Dilated Peoples, is a must-have. We all remember Ev with Dilated, whether it was for his production or his rhyme and recognizable voice and flow, but what happens when you remove Rakaa and Babu from the equation? Evidence dropped The Weatherman LP in 2007, but on this album, Evidence really raises the bar and hits hard on track after track. The intro starts off with a sample of two little girls talking... “Why do you have an umbrella? Because the Weatherman said you have to have one at all times, because it’s going to rain cats and dogs...” Ev wastes no time and hits us with "Strangers", which is an Alchemist-laced banger. Another favorite is definitely "The Red Carpet", which features Raekwon and Ras Kass. All three MC’s come correct and the production by The Alchemist is nothing less than epic. This track is serious. "I Don’t Need Love" is another head nodder and the only track Ev produces on the album. Then we have “You.” Can’t say enough about this track (video below). Premo blesses us with a classic DJ Premier heater and Evidence compliments it perfectly with some of the best verses we’ve heard from him - ever. The last track on the album, "The Epilogue", is also produced by Premo and it doesn’t disappoint. "Fame" with Roc Marciano and Prodigy of Mobb Deep is definitely another joint worth mentioning. Grimy production by Charli Brown gives the track the perfect feel for Roc Marciano and Prodigy to do their thing. Slug and Aesop Rock also hold it down on "Late For The Sky", produced by Sid Roams, and highlighting Ev's new label, Minnesota's own, Rhymesayers. Definitely check this one out!!