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Post by dawyked on Nov 27, 2005 2:07:53 GMT 1
Category R&B, Rap, Rock/Pop, Soul/R&B, Urban Soundtrack, East Coast Rap Label Universal Records (USA) Orig Year 2005 CDU Part# 6866853 All Time Sales Rank 235967 Catalog# 000481602 Discs 1 Street Date Jun 14, 2005 Studio/Live Studio Mono/Stereo Stereo Guest(s) Sharli McQueen; Sean Paul; Spraga Benz; Wyclef Jean; Akon; Mista; Temp Additional Info Parental Advisory 1. Win, Lose Or Draw 2. Dreamin' - (with Sharli McQueen) 3. Light My Fire - (with Sharli McQueen) 4. Dance Hall - (with Sean Paul/Spragga Benz) 5. Haven't Found - (with Sharli McQueen) 6. For Love 7. Mistakes 8. Angels Sing - (with Wyclef Jean) 9. Mr. Martin - (with Akon) 10. One Monkey Don't Stop The Show - (with Sharli McQueen) 11. Friend A' Foe 12. Party's Ova' - (with Mista) 13. Ghetto Politics - (with Temp) 14. How It Feels -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES Personnel: Pras Michel (vocals, drums); Akon, Sean Paul, Spragga Benz, Sharli McQueen (vocals); Wyclef Jean (guitar, bass guitar, background vocals); Makarios Cesaire, Brandon "DirtyBird" Parrott (guitar); Jerry Duplessis (bass guitar). Producers: The Executive Producers; Frank Sneed; Eric Johnson; Michael Peeples; Brandon "DirtyBird" Parrott; Salaam Remi; Wyclef Jean; The Synphony For Kingpin; Temp. Recording information: Platinum Island, New York, New York (2005). After the huge success of the Fugees' THE SCORE, Pras Michel was easily the quietest member of the group; outside of the ubiquitous 1998 hit "Ghetto Supastar" from the movie BULWORTH, followed by a rather rushed debut of the same name, Pras was mostly musically silent. Apparently he was gathering his energies, because he returned with a flourish on 2005's enjoyable and thoughtful WIN LOSE OR DRAW. On "Light My Fire," the former Fugee rather modestly states, "still Pras/fat hooks/I'm no Nas." While Queensbridge's aforementioned king is a high standard to live up to, Pras is capable of imparting insight in his own subtle manner, while peeling off some head-turning lines on the contemplative "For Love" and the self-deprecating "Mistakes." Furthermore, his hooks are unique. On "Haven't Found," for example, he reworks a classic U2 riff, adding his own absorbing adornments and dropping a neat political oration over the resultant beat with style to spare. After his conspicuous silence, Pras Michel had a good deal to say on WIN LOSE OR DRAW, making it a hearty, absorbing album.
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Post by Big-D on Jul 25, 2006 12:34:56 GMT 1
I recommend you to buy the album,I like it,it's great favourite songs:Light My Fire,Haven't Found,Angels Sing,Friend A' Foe
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Post by Moderator on Jul 26, 2006 9:25:47 GMT 1
Oh okay. Is it similar to 'Ghetto Superstar' or all original stuff? I'm interested to hear his version of U2's song
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Post by Big-D on Jul 26, 2006 14:49:11 GMT 1
no,it's not similar to Ghetto Superstar
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Filip
Full Member
Posts: 498
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Post by Filip on Sept 7, 2006 22:44:28 GMT 1
Here`s a partual answer to your question:Gigwise.com wrote this:"For Pras it has and always will be about the art form. People will forever speculate that he sold out with his previous album 'Ghetto Superstar', but with label pressures and a new fanbase he had to do something. Look who’s laughing now anyway, it did sell out… it went platinum to be exact. Back with a new label, Pras relights his creative flare once again and trust us when we say this, there are going to be many surprised critics"
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Post by dawyked on Sept 8, 2006 4:54:26 GMT 1
Here`s a partual answer to your question:Gigwise.com wrote this:"For Pras it has and always will be about the art form. People will forever speculate that he sold out with his previous album 'Ghetto Superstar', but with label pressures and a new fanbase he had to do something. Look who’s laughing now anyway, it did sell out… it went platinum to be exact. Back with a new label, Pras relights his creative flare once again and trust us when we say this, there are going to be many surprised critics" ... are u shure!? win, loose or draw platinium, were do i can confirm taht man? no ofence of 'curse...
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e
New Member
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Post by e on Nov 3, 2006 22:50:49 GMT 1
i have not listened the new album from pras so i would like to
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Post by Moderator on Mar 10, 2010 14:29:39 GMT 1
Win, Lose Or Draw album reviewsRapper Pras, A.K.A "The Other Fugee," is set to release his second solo LP, Win, Lose Or Draw. The first single off the album Win, Lose Or Draw will be "Haven’t Found". "Win, Lose or Draw" also features a guest turn by Fugees colleague Wyclef Jean on "Angels Sing," an appearance by Akon on "Mr. Martin" and a collaboration with Sean Paul and Spraga Benz on "Dance Hall." Win, Lose Or Draw is the follow to Pras’ 1998 debut, Ghetto Superstar, which spawned the hit single of the same name. "Ghetto Superstar (That Is What You Are)" achieved considerable notice, partly due to its inclusion on the Bulworth soundtrack. - Unknown Source PRAS MICHEL pulls listeners into his funky, pulsating world with the first cut on through the 13 selections on his new recording, WIN, LOSE OR DRAW (Universal/Motown). The hard-hitting title song is followed by a dose of reality on "Dreaming," on which the former Fugees principle is backed by angelic female vocals. He then comes out smoking with the sultry "Light My Fire." Sean Paul and Spragga Benz are featured on the ragga driven "Dance Hall" (produced by Salaam Remi), while fellow Fugees alum Wyclef Jean joins Michel on "Angel Sings." Michel's take on U2's "Haven't Found," featuring fresh vocals from Sharlie McQueen, is already a pop winner. On the anthem-like "For Love," Michel encourages his fellow Haitians. The earthy and talented artist is determined to make music his way--and this CD is a big WIN. - Unknown Source Finally, Pras puts out an album. I knew that something was wrong because he was supposed to put out Eyes on the Pras following his Ghetto Supastar LP and Light my fire one or two years ago and never did. I’m glad that it is finally happening and that he finally reconciliated with Wyclef Jean which truly sounded childish in the song where he dissed Pras. Hopefully, Pras will hit big numbers this time. I was not impressed with his previous album but when I hear his flow and lyrics on The Score, I just can’t stop lovin this cat. If he sounds like the old Pras I heard on The Score and the big hit Ghetto Supastar, he’ll be find. Peace! Samuel Delice - Review by forum member 'SouthOrangeNJ' The question one must ask, whether a music critic who gets this album to review or a music purchaser looking at this CD in stores, is whether or not Pras Michel is relevant in 2005. With apologies to the man...he was pretty much irrelevant from the start. Through a combination of luck and good timing he scored a chart-topping hit with "Ghetto Supastar," thanks in part to guest contributions by Mya and the late great Ol' Dirty Bastard. After this single off the "Bulworth" soundtrack smashed the charts, Pras tried to follow up with an album of the same name in 1998. The single "Blue Angels" went nowhere and so did the album, which to all but die-hard Fugees fans was quickly shelved and forgotten. There really seemed to be no need for a follow-up, and yet over seven years later with no fanfare whatsoever "Win Lose or Draw" arrived on the scene. It doesn't feel like much effort was put into the album's title; it's either a card game reference (makes this writer think of Uno) or a reminder of a crappy TV game show. The title track itself seems equally devoid of creativity:
"I guess a million motherfuckers wanna see me die I got a million motherfuckers that'll see you try And you never seen a man die 'til you see a man cry You can run but can't hide, step aside you must be blind If you don't see this year is solely mine There's no rumors, you heard it through the grapevine I'm that cat with nine lives, done had nine wives 'Member ReFugees started in the nine-five"
Cliches and all, these are among his BETTER rhymes. At one point he claims to be "big green on you like that dude from Shrek" and he mangles the Ying Yang Twins by claiming to be "here from the walls to the window." Skeet skeet on any broads there Pras? As an MC he sounded out of date back in the 1995 he's so proud to mention, so imagine how far behind the times he is ten years later. Then again you can't exactly fault Pras for releasing another rap album. He tried to do the acting thing and that didn't work out so well. He can't sit around and wait for his beloved Fugees crew that he shouts out constantly to agree on reuniting for a new album - which quite frankly they could do without him and it would still be good. Maybe that's why he mentions the Fugees so much throughout "Win Lose or Draw" - he's just hoping people will hear it and clamor for him to be part of such a project. The album itself sends mixed messages though. While he did get Wyclef to collaborate on one track entitled "Angels Sing," he's also sounding bitter and resentful on "Friend A' Foe" and "One Monkey Don't Stop the Show." Not that being bitter makes him better - he's still a mediocre MC with a mushmouth delivery either way.
Pras tries to crossover into reggaeton on "Dance Hall" but he's no Daddy Yankee, and he tries to be "for the kids" on "How it Feels" but he's no Trick Daddy. Tired concepts like revamping U2 on "Haven't Found" aren't going to make anybody buy this album. In a way you almost feel sorry for Pras. Listening to him rap you feel like he and Wyclef were running mates, only 'Clef was the cool kid who could sing, rap and play guitar while Pras was the one who tagged along hoping he could be just like him. Unfortunately for Pras the bottom line is you either have talent or you don't, and without two more talented people to cover up for his deficiencies he's not listenable. Maybe he could take up accounting or be a manager instead. This isn't a case of those who can do and those who can't criticize, it's simply a case of those who can't do just not knowing when to quit. - Review by Steve 'Flash' Juon for www.RapReviews.com Pras may not have been successful as the other two members of The Fugees (Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean) in the past, but things are getting better, in fact he has mastermined the art of music production in a big way. You may remember that the only hit he ever made was the single Ghetto Superstar that featured Mya a few years ago. Things have changed as he has grown in his musical capacity, not to mention his rapping that sounds even better. The opening track, Win Love Or Draw, which is also the title of the album is fast-paced with Pras' rapping complementing the beat and the matching chorus running smoothly along the vibe (I couldn't help but groove to the tune, it kinda reminded me of Timbaland's production of Aaliyah last tracks). Dreamin' is one of those tracks that infuse the smooth R&B with rap, creating a modern combination of urban music. Pras is so playful on this track as he sings along with Sharli McQeeun on the chorus, creating a contrasting, yet befitting feel to the song. He continues his journey through experimenting with different beats and sounds; even allowing Sean Paul to do his thing on the track Dance Hall; and For Love which has some reggae influences. I loved his interpretation of U2's classic Haven't Found, which was also once done by Cher as well as The Chimes. The one-third member of The Fugees shows his growth in his craft, playing drums and doing his production on some of the songs. He also borrows production ropes and skills from his fellow member Wyclef Jean, who also sings on Angels Sing. This song also has a lot of infuence from the genre raggae and it sounds quite refreshing and inspiring. Akon also provides his sound on Mr. Martin, with that African feel that has earned him respect and accolades as a pioneer of a unique genre of music. The rest of the songs are equally good, with Sharli McQueen giving the songs an easy, smooth and sweet touch with her charming voice. This really shows that Pras prepared himself thoroughly and is here to make his signature and be counted amongst the best in the hip hop field. He certainly has made sure that he doesn't remain in the shadows of Wyclef and Lauryn, and it's great for him and the hip hop fraternity. - Review from www.yeahbo.netPras' return brings engaging music with an unclear purpose. Following a surprise Fugees reunion at a recent B.E.T. award show and amidst talk of a new album from the trio, Pras is further removing himself from the shadow cast upon him by partners Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean during the group's 90's run. To be fair, though, the Fugees' acclaimed 1996 album The Score pinned lofty expectations on all of the members when they went their separate ways - the results of which were a handful of hits and misses, including Pras's own debut attempt.Always seeming like more of a background player among the group, Pras has likewise been the quietest musically since the split. In remedying this, Win, Lose, or Draw attempts to achieve a Fugee-like brand of social awareness on several tracks, including "For Love" and the single "Haven't Found" - a catchy (and slightly corny) take on the similarly titled U2 hit. Wyclef joins Pras for "Angel Sings," a reggae-drenched cut that proves the truest emulation of the old sound and the most potent lyrical performance of the disc. The problem comes interspersed with the high points, however, when Pras delves into the same pop-ish form that he appeared to be shying away from. On their own merit the lighter jams like "Light My Fire" and the Sean Paul laced "Dance Hall" are decent party joints, but at the same time seem to undercut the tone Pras shoots for on the serious, themed offerings. This isn't to say that an album needs to be all work and no play, but Pras' fluctuating moods make it hard to tell whether he is aiming for popular appeal or his proven role as a voice for the "refugee".
Definitely Download: 1. "Haven't Found" 2. "Angel Sings" 3. "Light My Fire" - Review by Jim Durig
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