Jesus Price Supastar

Sean Price is aka Ruck, 1/2 of the successful rap group Heltah Skeltah, and one of the lead and most popular rappers from the mighty Boot Camp Clik. In 2005 Sean Price released his first solo album Monkey Barz which earned him independent album and artist of the year honors from the Source Magazine and All Hip Hop.com. Sean Price became a household name in the Underground circuit, touring nationally with GhostFace (Wu-Tang) and Boot Camp Clik. Sean Price was invited to rhyme alongside other Independent heavyweighta Immortal Technique, Jedi Mind Tricks, and Little Brother to name just a few. While Heltah Skeltah has solid Soundscan History scanning over 300,000 units over their career, Sean Price has now officially made a name for himself as a solo Artist. Sean Price is Jesus Price!

Back in the '90s heydey of the Boot Camp Clik (Black Moon, Smif-N-Wessun), few would have guessed that the rapper formerly known as Ruck from Heltah Skeltah would emerge as the Clik's most viable star. It may be because Price has had to fight his way back from recording limbo, taking the mix-CD and independent label route, but the maturing process has only enhanced Price's lyrical skills and mic presence. With Jesus Price Superstar, it's clear that the success of 2005's Monkey Barz was no fluke: Price shows a great deal of charm and versatility in attacking, aggressive songs like "Cardiac," and "One," or slipping into a smoother flow for "Oops Upside Your Head" or "Hearing Aid." Despite including at least eight different producers, most notably 9th Wonder and Khrysis, the album's sound is more consistent than you'd expect: 9th Wonder and others favor soul/jazz-derived tracks but there's plenty of thunder here to compliment Price's rumbling baritone. The title of the CD might raise some eyebrows but Price's resurrection is still something to marvel at. --Oliver Wang