Ever since we heard Philadelphia-related Beanie Sigel spitting on a tape or on a record, we knew he was the truth. With his grimy, hard voice, Sigel always represented the streets and proved that with his first record “The Truth” in 1999. “Reservoir Dogs” off Jay-Z’s “Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life” was able to show us Beans in his unapologetic, raw and rough manner he never changed. Rap directly from the streets, that’s what the name Sigel stands for. So, let’s get to another record formed by asphalt and kerbs – “Tha Reason”.

With a production by Just Blaze, Rick Rock and others, Sigel’s new record manages to stay on the streets with few exceptions. “Beanie (Mack B****)”, first single off the album, is an expected club banger where Sigel represents his position in the Philadelphia hierarchy, a clever remake of Snoop’s “Murder was the case”, but in my eyes not that hot, even though clubs will definitely bang this shit. Sigel and Memph Bleek on “So What You Saying” is my favourite on the whole, Just Blaze’s beat goes straight and both (!) MCs fit it in exactly the right way. “Get Down” is hot, too, features that street type of Sigel we all love and a rough, slow, dark beat – it’s Just Blaze, again. Daz Dillinger gets down with Beans on “For My Ni****”. Daz, in fact, does not rhyme that much, but the clubbish beat that reminds one of typical West Coast productions is that tight, and Sigel knows how to rule on it. “Man’s World”, of course, bases on this old James Brown sample, and Nature just used it last year, so this track i s, as far as the music is concerned, really no reinvention, however, Beans manages to keep the track lyrically on a good level. Too bad, but “Gangsta, Gangsta” feat. Kurupt isn’t worth while. The Young Gotti rips nice, Sigel does too, but the beat is boring. Sparks and Beans tell “Tales Of A Hustler” – nice. For those who like deep lyrics, just listen to “Mom Praying” feat. Scarface, you’ll be satisfied. “Still Got Love For You” feat. Jay-Z and Rell is a follow-up to “Where Have You Been” off Jay-Z’s “The Dynasty…”. Sigel starts off with: “Dynasty album, track 16 / listen, Dad, I can’t take back that 16!” The topic is clear, and the track is tight as it goes deep again. And, by the way, Jay-Z is the god of rap... “What Your Life Like 2” goes deep once again and rounds off a very good record.

For Beanie’s voice is that grimy and street-related, this record isn’t made for everybody, but if you got at least a bit of love for Philly’s finest, run like hell for that record. Diverse types of productions that, on the whole, stay in our boxes and out of the clubs, and an MC plus guests that represent, amongst several others, the current state of art in hip hop – result is a tight record, nothing else.