Hot on the heels of one of the most unlikely collaborations in a while (Dead Prez with the Outlawz Can't Sell Dope Forever) comes another interesting pairing, Stic.man from Dead Prez and Young Noble from the Outlawz with Soldier 2 Soldier. One part Tupac influenced flows and swagger and one part Dead Prez revolutionary lyrics and high quality beats. Since Tupac's passing the Outlawz have never managed to make a real mark on the musical landscape, but with Can't Sell Dope Forever they took a step in the right direction. Soldier 2 Soldier continues along that path, gritty, raw, made for the streets, but with a message in every song.

Sometimes emcees and people in general need to be paired with someone that's superior in order to bring the best out of them, and that is exactly what happens on this offering. Stic plays the role of seasoned vet as he outshines Young Noble on just about every track, but that's to be expected when trading verses with one of the most underrated emcees in the game. I was never a big fan of the Outlawz but Noble's performance had me nodding in agreement as he showed that he can attack real subject matters and has matured immensely since his days with Pac.

The album has a Cali heavy sound; with mostly west coast producers providing the back drop, both Stic and Noble sound very comfortable on the tracks, and actually compliment each other pretty nicely. Stand out tracks include: the first single “Runaway Slave” (self explanatory), “How You Like That” where they ponder how white folks would feel if they traded places with blacks, “Daddy Loves You”, an ode to the real fathers out there, and my favorite “Soul Music” (also self explanatory).

All in all a solid outing, that both coasts should be able to embrace, Outlawz fans get the same sound and feel but with a message, Dead Prez fans get to see Stic show versatility. An album made to reach those that are still in the streets trying to find their way out.