No matter how many ballerina pictures are shown, no matter how many times Prodigy's sickle-cell anemia is mentioned, no matter how many 112 collaborations are made (ok, maybe that one), Mobb Deep will always be synonymous with gangsta.  They don't attempt at all to change that on their 5th full-length studio album, Amerikaz Nightmare.  The formula is still tainted from their classics like The Infamous... and Hell on Earth, as Havoc sees less and less production.  Instead, the Mobb boys gather up heavy-hitters Kanye West and Lil' Jon, plus their long-time compadre the Alchemist, to assist on the boards.  And Hav and P prove, while not the nightmare they once were, America still better watch out.

Nightmare begins with the title track, a guitar-powered track that sounds almost crunkish.  However, P's dumbed-down rhymes and non-existent flow make this a forgettable beginning.  Mobb soon makes the listener forget with the stellar, "Win or Lose", an Alchemist banger.  The lyrics sadly take a backseat to the unexplainably great beat, which takes one of those esteemed spots among the top of the Alc beatography.  "Flood the Block" is a formualic track, especially for Deep, but their exectution isn't lacking.  Too bad the content has been "flooded" into our stereos for too long.  They seem to find complete rebirth in their insane first single, "Got It Twisted".  Once a gain, it's Alchemist making sure the Mobb doesn't fall of, as he loops the synth line to Thomas Dolby's weird, yet hilarious 80's hit "She Blinded Me With Science".  Prodigy proceeds to scare the hell out of the imaginary person he's threatening, with cryptic lines like, "It'll be a manslaughter/ Right in front of my kids/ A little blood get on my daughter/ it's nothin, she'll live".  Alc brings it back one more time for "When You Hear the Mob", and once again shines.  After a few formualic tracks, Lil Jon joins in with "Real Gangstaz".  It's a trudge in treaded waters, but the beat is a definite mover, and Mobb sounds a lot more natural then their QB brethren the Bravehearts did a year ago on "Quick to Back Down".  "One of Ours Part II"'s weak beat ultimately destroys it, and even a nice verse by Jadakiss can't save it.  "On the Run" is a production gem, and Havoc's flow carries the track on his back.  "Throw Your Hands (In the Air)" is a certified headnodder, solidifying that when he actually tries, Kanye can get real grimy.  After a wack posse track, the M-O-B-B shows that "We Up".  They speak their usual gangster confessionals over a piano-heavy track which accent prodigy well.  On "Never Change", they claim that they'll always be this way; it comes out more unfortunate sounding than reassuring.  Hav & P finally finish by letting Twista get on the fun of wrecking the "Got It Twisted" beat for the remix.  They're smart for reprising their album peak, and Prodigy seems to have saved his best for this: he outdoes both of the other men the track for the first time on the album since the original.

While Mobb may not make the murda music they once did, they're still lethal with the right weapons.  This album begs for more Alchemist, but it also begs the question: can Havoc still produce a full album?  Though after hearing Nightmare, the main question may be, "Who cares?"

iPod Worthy: "Got It Twisted", "Win or Lose", "Thow Your Hands (In The Air)"

Just Unworthy: "Never Change", "One of Ours Part II", "Dump"

Overall: 4 Out of Six Shots