Red Star Sounds, Vol. 2: B-Sides collects more hip-hop and urban music supported by the Heineken Music Initiative (the red star in the album title alludes to the beer's logo), offering a good mix of well-known and upcoming artists in both of these styles. The album begins with remixes of four big singles:
Foxy Brown's "Stylin'" now features cameos by
Baby,
N.O.R.E.,
Loon, and Young Gavin;
N.O.R.E.'s own "Nothin'" sports a snake-charming oboe line and guest raps by Militainment,
Foxy Brown, and
P. Diddy;
DMX's "You Could Be Blind" features
Mashonda and a more conversational style than some of his other hits; and
Styles P's "Good Times" includes cameos by
Redman and
Method Man. Other highlights include
WC's brash "Wanna Ride,"
Ja Rule,
Missy Elliott, and
Tweet's "X," and
Musiq's "Medioloco," as well as tracks by
Lovher and
Kelly Price. Relatively unknown artists, such as Donica, Sco da Criminal, and Elias Farah, also contribute strong tracks, and
Black Ice bookends the collection with two spoken word cuts, "Introducing" and "410 Days in the Life." In all,
Red Star Sounds, Vol. 2: B-Sides offers an eclectic mix of new and familiar urban and rap. ~ Heather Phares