Positivity is a beautiful thing. It helps us become understanding and compassionate people. With it, we look to the bright side of situations and find the good in bad things. With that said, Lyricist Lounge 2 is probably the wackest, most uninspiring album I've had the displeasure of listening to in a while. Does that sound exaggerated? I assure you it is not. There are very few redeeming qualities to save this mess.

Lets look at the concept itself. Lyricist Lounge 1 was a forum for the independent unknown MC. The listener was treated to some of the best hip-hop recorded by heads like Matrix, Punch and Words, Mike Zoot, and Indelible MCs. Granted, most people weren't feeling the second disc as much as the first, but the whole project was still fresh blood in the rotting carcass of the industry at the time.

Fast forward to 2000. We all know Rawkus is not the label it once was and after hearing this album, all of your suspicions will be realized. Check out the track listing: Beanie Sigel, JT Money, Nate Dogg, Pastor Troy? I did a double take on that one myself. There is not one underground cat on this entire album. I felt some relief to see Mos, Royce the 5'9", Dead Prez, and Dilated on there. Then I actually popped it into my c.d. player. A good amount of the production scheme is very synthesized. Everything is very futuristic with lots of bleeps and bloops everywhere. You could swear that Timbaland or Neptunes produced it. On other tracks, it just sounds recycled and rushed.

The only two tracks that mildly struck my interest were "WKYA (Will Kick Your Ass)" teaming up Redman and Saukrates and "He Lives" partnering Last Emperor and Rza. I was pumped to see these two duos rip it, but "WKYA" sounds like an outtake from Blackout with Sauk replacing Meth. "He Lives" is actually a pretty ill joint. Rza plays the resurrector, bringing the Emperor back to life. The beat is simple, but fits well with the song's scenario. Other tracks include "Sharp Shooters" with Kweli and Dead Prez, "Battle" featuring the Green Eyed Bandit and Sy Scott, and "Right and Exact" with Dilated.

Maybe I'm more than a little bitter that there aren't more real hungry hip-hop artists on this album. Maybe Rawkus has just really lost it. Either way, heads should either download this from Napster if they truly want to hear it or just hit your local used c.d. shop, I'm sure they'll be plenty of copies on release day. If not, take your cash and pick up the 20,000 Leagues Under the Street compilation which actually gives us what we want: pure hip-hop.