NINJA MAN: Run Come Test

RAS

Run Come Test is the fourth album by dancehall king Ninja Man and his second this year. Ninja has the distinction of being realer and more popular in his homeland of Jamaica than any of the pop crossover types (Shabba, Buju) the U.S. labels try to push on us. The stripped-down, staccato beats and rhythms we got here are what's listened to in the motherland, not the hiphop remixes from Supercat et al. So, with his authenticity established, I can move on to say that his toasting (raps) shows him to be a real caveman, concerned only with violence and occasional fucking. That may be forgivable, since he comes from a country whose violence and drug problems make Newark look like Disneyland. Anyway, he's no worse than Ice Cube. A guilty pleasure, but a p leasure to be sure. (Pat Anders)

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