There's Buckshot. The BDI thug is considered past his best with his hay day as the premier MC in Black Moon long gone, but his fans still quietly listen to each release hoping that the nineties have returned with vengeance. Then there is 9th Wonder. Probably the most exciting producer of the underground, if not the whole of hip-hop, at the moment with last year's hit '3:16 The 9th Edition' with fellow indie artist Murs and the classic 'The Listening' as a third of the group Little Brother. It really seems like a meeting of a past giant and a future legend and it cannot be seen whether this will re-invigorate Buckshot's career, pull 9th Wonder out of the limelight or vice versa. Only time will tell, and now for the album.

On 'Chemistry 101' Buckshot explains the mission the artists have set upon with this album stating 'This album is for all you MC's and all you producers out there, learn your lesson'. Buckshot and 9th Wonder are the teachers, they're mixing their elements and giving MC's and producers a crash course in the chemistry of hip-hop. The first listen to track 2 'He's Back' is a strange affair. The reason for this is that the track sounds hauntingly like the first one production-wise which is something we've came not to expect from 9th. Maybe it's time to leave Fruity Loops alone. The chorus to the track is also weak. 'Nowadayz' is a stronger track but once again the production is similar. On the track Buckshot spits about people using guns nowadays while he sticks to his fists. Sadly this is the same type of preaching as heard on 'Walk Like A Man' by Murs (produced by 9th Wonder) but in a weaker fashion. However the song does have its original points and strong lines with Buck talking about his homie being shot in the back by a stray. Buckshot still fails to sound even half sincere though. 'Slippin' is a good track with Buckshot rapping 'Half the real niggaz get the credit they out for/ So respect due to my true outlaws/ it aint about yours or mine/ or half they niggaz that rhyme wouldnt know how to flow on the line'. On 'Side Talk' 9th Wonder finally drops a beat which sounds unlike the rest of the album. 'The Ghetto', now how often has that phrase been used in hip-hop titles? 'I Wonder if Heaven Gotta Ghetto'? 'Lil Ghetto Boy'? 'Ghetto Musick'? However this track doesn't sound generic with 9th Wonder dropping another fresh soundscape and Buckshot kicking the fresh rhymes of a newbie to the game, something the average stuck-in-his-ways vet can't do. 'No Comparison' is one of the albums best tracks. Although the music is obvious 9th Wonder (and who doesn't like that) Buckshot spits hot lines half-whispering the chorus 'Ain't no comparison, that’s embarrassing, if you wanna be like me, Buck the BDI, if you tryin to see what I see, then I see that you are not me'. 'Birdz' is the average lets-talk-about-women track which is so tired nowadays (it's 2005 god damn it!). The chorus also sounds terrible. 'Out Of Town' is more like what we expected. A hit for 9th Wonder with an addictive bass line and Buck at his best, flowing with the other rapper so well. This is what this whole album should have been but it just wasn't to be.

This was long-awaited, anticipated, and once again we were left scratching out heads. In fact this is Bucks place to shine with 9th (on the whole) treating listeners with generic beats courtesy of Fruity Loops. 9th does have points where he shines but this isn't '3:16' or 'The Chitlin Circuit'. This Gang Starr style duos are becoming more popular with rappers gaining familiarity with their behind-the-boards partner but also gaining complacency. In a sentence this album is a strong effort, but don't believe the hype.