Producers include: One Eye, Dr. Dre, Irv Gotti, Teddy Bishop, Babee Pall.
Compilation producer: Ice Cube.
After many years of anticipation, Ice Cube returns to the role of Craig Jones he made famous in the cult-classic film Friday. The movie's soundtrack, Next Friday, though not as varied a collection as the one that accompanied the first film, is still one of the finest hip-hop film soundtracks in years.
Next Friday's most important cut is the brutal "Chin Check," a song from the then-recently reunited West coast supergroup N.W.A. Featuring original members Ren, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube, as well as Snoop Dogg (in place of the late Eazy-E), "Chin Check" is a surprisingly good gangsta rap vignette, delivered just when people thought the genre had become passe. Pharoahe Monch's "Liven It Up," and Wu-Tang Clan's "Shaolin Worldwide" represent the East Coast with intensity. An early track from Eminem called "Murder Murder" is another standout for its dynamic lyricism and spirited storytelling. Next Friday manages to do more than just capture the spirit of the film -- it offers fine music that can be appreciated on its own. ~ Rovi Staff
Professional Reviews
Entertainment Weekly (1/14/00, p.79) - "...emphasizes the playfully hedonistic side of thug life with a more geographically diverse lineup..." - Rating: B-
Mixmag (3/00, p.150) - 3 out of 5 - "...Eminem's cartoon crime spree and the jarring rhymes of Rawkus' Pharoahe Monch do the business, while Aaliyah and the Isley Brothers will hit the spots of r 'n' b fans..."
CMJ (1/31/00, p.28) - "...creates a backdrop of exclusive tracks from some of hip-hop's hottest movers and shakers....the jewel on this crown is the new N.W.A., which was well worth the wait as Dre, Cube, Ren and Snoop Dogg trade verses over some of the Doc's choicest chronic funk."
Vibe (2/00, p.169) - "...about what you can expect from the film itself: bumpin' uglies, gunplay, sticky green, and Ice Cube....The soundtrack belongs to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony buddha brothers Bizzy and Layzie....Thank God it's FRIDAY."
