Happy 25th Anniversary to DJ Quik’s third studio album Safe + Sound, originally released February 21, 1995.
Dr. Dre gets most of the props for creating the rhythm of west coast gangster rap and g-funk, but he wasn’t the only producer to define what became a sub-genre of hip-hop that sold millions of records in the ‘90s. DJ Pooh, Sir Jinx, Ant Banks, Cold 187um from Above The Law, and DJ Quik are among the elite band of producers who also influenced the developing sound, each carving out their own unique lane that still fit within the overall framework of what was emerging from studios across Compton and South Central L.A., all the way up to the Bay Area.
DJ Quik in particular made an impact with his first two classic albums, Quik Is the Name (1991) and Way 2 Fonky (1992). Boasting an uncommon vocal tone and delivery on the mic, and excellent creativity behind the boards, DJ Quik had proved himself to be a strong double-threat. 1995’s Safe + Sound kept the momentum going and is the best-produced of DJ Quik’s first three albums. It was here that DJ Quik reached a level of musicality not previously heard; less reliant on samples, more focused on live instrumentation instead. DJ Quik may not be as widely regarded as Dr. Dre, but a resume that includes production for the biggest names in hip-hop, plus remix work for the likes of Janet Jackson and Maroon 5, shows that those who know, know. Dre certainly knows, as he’s called on DJ Quik to work on several projects over the past 25 years.
A lot of time on Safe + Sound is dedicated to DJ Quik’s ongoing feud with MC Eiht, which I previously discussed in my Albumism tribute to MC Eiht’s 1994 album We Come Strapped. Quik takes a few subtle early shots at MC Eiht on Safe + Sound, before unloading fully mid-way through on the brutal “Dollaz & Sense.” Over a laidback, quintessential west coast beat that uses a sample from the same Young & Company song (“I Like (What You’re Doing To Me)”) Quik flipped in 1991 for “Be True to Yourself” by 2nd II None, Quik tears into Eiht, even referring to him by his real name. It was clear this beef was personal to a degree not seen with your average, studio-only rap war. Quik continues to rip Eiht in the very next track, “Let You Havit,” this time also aiming at Eiht’s group, Compton’s Most Wanted.
At a time when several other west coast artists were going to war with rappers from New York, DJ Quik vs. MC Eiht was local rapper verses local rapper, Compton against Compton. Set against the backdrop of real gang warfare—and with Safe + Sound coming with an executive producer credit for notorious mogul Suge Knight—it’s a blessing that neither artist got physically hurt. In fairness to DJ Quik, on “Dollaz & Sense” he alludes to a chance meeting with MC Eiht where his intention was to try and discuss the situation peacefully, but who knows if this ever actually happened.
Beefing aside, Safe + Sound is generally upbeat, often concerned with nothing more than destressing and having a good time, like a lot of classic ‘90s gangster rap. “Summer Breeze” is about coming of age in the kind of hostile environment where fun doesn’t happen that often, so when it does, you have to make the most of it. Meanwhile, “Somethin' 4 Tha Mood" is about the ups and downs of an average day in the hood that draws obvious parallels with Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day.” Bonus track “Tanqueray” has a self-explanatory theme and works as a nice call back to "Tonite" from Quik Is the Name. (Side bar trivia: songs like “Tanqueray” and Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” are why, to this day, I still fool myself into thinking I’m cool by drinking lots of gin.)
DJ Quik has always been very much a self-contained, one-man band. He operates as an overseer of west coast hip-hop, sometimes producing for and featuring alongside luminaries like Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, E-40, The Game and Mack 10, but more often than not he’s a lone wolf in a genre of music that is typically heavy on collaboration. This is evidenced by how Quik Is the Name, Way 2 Fonky and Safe + Sound are almost guest-free, with appearances only from DJ Quik proteges and others from his inner-circle: AMG, Penthouse Players Clique, and 2nd II None. He assembles many of these artists for Safe + Sound’s highlight, “Keep Tha ‘P’ In It,” which also features Kam (a.k.a. Ice Cube’s cousin), one of the most talented and underappreciated emcees of the ‘90s.
DJ Quik is today considered a genuine icon of rap music, and has released multiple albums, EPs, mixtapes and compilations since Safe + Sound. Among the best of these subsequent projects is 2017’s Rosecrans. The tracklist includes MC Eiht on two songs, officially marking the end of one of hip-hop’s greatest rap battles.
LISTEN: