Endangered Species

Death has a way of making martyrs out of marginal talents. Big Punisher was by no means a marginal talent—his lyrical skills were consistently impressive—but neither of the two albums he recorded before his death last February really made the most of his gifts. Endangered Species is a collection of hits, B-sides, rarities, and unreleased stuff, which unfortunately can’t help but have the uncomfortable stench of gratuitous product. Though tracks like “You Ain’t a Killer” and “Whatcha Gon’ Do” display Pun’s fascinatingly complex inner struggle between hardened street thug and insightful guy who knows better, they’re available elsewhere. There’s only a handful of previously unreleased tracks—a shame since cuts like “Mamma” and “Brave in the Heart” are heartfelt indicators of Pun’s Tupac-ish potential. Those unfamiliar with the nearly 700-pound rhyme-slinger will find Endangered Species is a decent introduction, but hardcore fans will want more.