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The greatest salutes to Gang Starr's influence and legacy are the laudable MC-producer projects that have surfaced in the wake of Guru's passing. From Freeway and Jake One to Ill Bill and DJ Muggs to Celph-Titled and Buckwild, 2010 was the year of the tag team. Cherry-topping that superlative assembly with a heavy mass of gems and jewels, Athletic Mic League lyricist Buff1 and producer Rhettmatic of the World Famous Beat Junkies offer a substantial spread marked by the familiar boom-bap energy and a prudently disseminated next-school enthusiasm. There are no regrettable misfires; slow and serious cuts like "World Go Crazy" stack up well between big-hook bangers like "Get It Up" and "We Gotcha." Michigan native Buff is a universally appealing rhymer, his raps more reflective than autobiographic, whereas Rhettmatic, a Cali legend with a knack for dropping woofer-ready bass bombs and dynamic anthems, is the rare DJ architect with enough chops to get underground snobs nodding and perhaps even stepping out. Together, they're far more than the sum of their parts — and when it comes to crown-worthy rap-duo royalty, there is no greater compliment.
