(Aaliyah's lips, Vanessa Williams' eyes, Ananda's skin tone, etc., etc.).
Onyx's standout member, Sticky Fingaz, digs even deeper into the concept well for his solo outing, Black Trash: The Autobiography of Kirk Jones. A full-length narrative chronicling the exploits of a career criminal, Black Trash has some great moments. A confrontation in a nightclub leads to an update of Ice Cube's pro-gun exercise, "Man's Best Friend." A botched robbery sets up "Oh My God," a conversation with Sticky's maker. And on "State vs. Kirk Jones," Canibus and Redman earn best-supporting-actor nods for their turns as attorneys dueling over Jones' destiny. Black Trash's climax is not as exhilarating as the songs along the way, but Sticky Fingaz -- like his ex-partner Fredro Starr -- manages to bring some new ideas and energy into the rap game. (RS 862)
KRIS EX
Best known for his work with New York shout-rap pioneers Onyx, Sticky Fingaz still sounds extremely rowdy on his long-delayed debut solo LP. A surprisingly deep concept album, Black Trash tells the grimy life story of Kirk Jones, a streetwise cat constantly getting into various dramas. Standout selections include "Money Talks" and "Ghetto.