As black lesbian MCs from Florida who rap about the joys of fisting, and who’ve signed to the same label as Franz Ferdinand — and according to some reports, Yo Majesty have already broken up — avoiding the “novelty act” tag is pretty much out of the question. It’s still some bullshit, though, because although Yo Majesty’s debut is uneven, Jwl.B and Shunda K aren’t coasting on anything but their talent. Shunda’s flow shares a saucy, matter-of-fact lilt with Atlantans like Big Boi (it’s no coincidence that the disc’s comic book–style cover resembles OutKast’s ATLiens) and they do a fine trade in booty bass and filthy party chants — don’t throw “Grindin’ And Shakin’” or the Basement Jaxx-assisted “Booty Klap” on the stereo at your next house party unless you’ve got towels handy. But while it’s a cliché for the straight white male critic to dismiss attacks on the straight white patriarchy (“Night Riders”), front-loading the disc with all the political and/or screechy tracks (album opener “Fucked Up” is all yelling but, unlike the band of the same name, no fun) and pushing the club bangers to the second half is a bad idea no matter who you are.

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