Cimplex 13 Gangsterifick: A Raw Slice of 2002 Gangsta Hip Hop That Still Hits Hard
If you’re looking for an album that feels like it was born in the grit and grime of early 2000s street life, Cimplex 13 Gangsterifick by Blak Moses & ODO is your ticket. Released under W.I.A.W. Records back in 2002, this project slaps harder than a lot of stuff coming out today. Produced by Eightrix, the beats are grimy yet sharp, with just enough bounce to make you nod your head while feeling slightly uneasy. It’s not polished—it doesn’t want to be—and that rawness is exactly what makes it unforgettable.
Let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me long after the first listen. First up, there’s “Thug’d Out Drug’d Out.” This joint hits different. The beat is heavy, almost suffocating, like walking through thick smoke on a humid night. Blak Moses spits bars so cold they could freeze fire. He talks about survival, loyalty, and how the streets chew people up and spit ‘em out. You can hear the weight in his voice—like he ain’t just rapping; he’s living every word. It’s one of those songs where you stop whatever you’re doing mid-track because damn, that line right there? Yeah, it hit too close to home.
Then there’s “Time To Lay It Down,” which flips the energy but keeps the intensity. This track has this haunting piano loop running through it, giving off major “last stand” vibes. When ODO comes in, his flow is smooth but deadly, like a blade slicing through silence. It’s the kind of song that reminds you why gangsta rap isn’t just about bravado—it’s about storytelling, pain, and consequences. By the time the hook kicks in, you’re fully immersed, almost as if you’ve been pulled into their world.
What I love most about this album is how unapologetically real it is. There are skits sprinkled throughout—little snippets of conversation or commentary—that add layers to the narrative without overdoing it. Tracks like “Smoke So Much (Skit)” give you moments of levity, while others like “Streets Got Me Hungry (Clean)” bring you right back to the struggle. It’s messy, chaotic even, but isn’t that what life really feels like sometimes?
Looking back now, listening to Cimplex 13 Gangsterifick feels like stepping into a time capsule. It’s not perfect—in fact, some parts sound downright rough around the edges—but maybe that’s the point. In a genre obsessed with flexing wealth and power, this album dares to show vulnerability and grit. And honestly? That’s rare.
Here’s the kicker though—this album came out in 2002, but it still resonates today. Like, how wild is that? Maybe we haven’t changed as much as we think. Or maybe great music just transcends time. Either way, if you haven’t heard this yet, do yourself a favor and press play. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when you find yourself replaying these tracks late at night, lost in thought.
