Leave it to a thug like Skent Dukes to make even the Chipmunks sound tough. Dropping grimy rhymes over backing vocals that sound like Alvin, Simon, and Theodore kicking it on the upper reaches of St. Clair, Dukes turns “Hush” into one of Get It Right‘s many highlights.

Seldom is an MC equally accomplished behind the boards and on the mic, but Dukes proves to be just as adept at crafting beats as spitting rhymes. His skills are most evident on the infectious, irrepressible “All My Thugs,” a potential hit buoyed by a titanic beat and a great female vocal hook; the baked braggadocio of “Swallow That,” a tawdry banger with a guest spot from Lil’ Flip; and the callous title cut, on which Duke’s rhymes are as ugly as Anthony Mason, and just as relentless.

This article appears in Jan 22-28, 2003.