The 'WWF Aggression' album is a compilation of rap versions of the Official World Wrestling Federation Superstar Themes. It's a brew that interweaves some of the greatest rappers with the themes from some of the best wrestlers. Unfortunately this broth tastes like water.
This compilation is weak. Each song takes a wrestler's instrumental and features a rap artists flowing lyrically over top. Some songs only feature samples of a particular wrestler's theme. In my mind, the World Wrestling Federation should have left their themes in the ring, and not put them in the hip hop arena. The featured rap artists are abundant and include Method Man, Run DMC, Ol Dirty Bastard, Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, Redman, Mack 10, and more. The abused themes stem from the following wrestlers: D-Generation X, Mankind, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vince McMahon, Gangrel, Kane, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Triple H, The Big Show and The Undertaker.
The Rock's theme, "Know Your Role" by Method Man is an amazing song. It is the ultimate warm-up song for all you b-ballers. It'll get you pumped every time you hear it. Run DMC's version of D-Generation X's Theme entitled "The Kings", shows that these rap pioneers are still on point. Kane's theme, "Big Red Machine" leads in with the standard organ sound. Then The Eastsidaz rip shit up over the laid-back, bordering destructive instrumental. O.D.B. and Kool Keith are also pretty impressive on Mankind's theme "Wreck". I was disappointed that Ice-T's version of my own newfound theme: "Pimpin Ain't Easy" was included instead of Slick Rick's. Slick Rick's lyrical flow and content far surpass that of Ice-T.
This compilation album is just a weak shot at making money. 'WWF Aggression' attempts to exploit the rising popularity of wrestling and hip hop's increasing stock. For those of you who are massive wrestling and rap fans, then you'll probably find this album enjoyable. Otherwise, 'WWF Aggression' is proof positive that when you put good and good together, you don't always get something better.
www.brockwayent.com
(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)
This review was written April 09, 2000