Rick Ross is the latest rapper to try his hand at being an executive with the release of his group Triple C’s debut album Custom Cars & Cycles. The group consists of Ross, Gunplay, Torch, and Young Breed. Don’t think that these were some rappers that just got put on; they have been down with Ross from the beginning. Now it’s their turn to bring the country deeper into Miami, past South Beach, past all the beaches, and straight to Carol City. Ross has been on a roll this year, now he has to show that he really is a Boss and can manage a team. Let’s check it out.

Custom Cars & Clips
Produced by Schife & OhZee
The album starts off with Ricky GOING IN over some nice production. Say what you want to about Ross, but the dude has that IT factor about him. The rest of the group made a good impression on me on the first song. There wasn’t any doubt that Ross & Co. wasn’t going to come out the gate stumbling.

White Sand
Produced by DJ Speedy
The chopped beat has me OPEN over here! Of course Ross starts it off to set the tone, the group follows him up. When Ross is out the song, it seems like they are doing their best NOT to lose the lead. The production is so tight on this one; I think that made up for the average lyrics from the squad.

Break It Down
Featuring Bun B; Produced by Best Kept Secret & Nasty Kutt
Once again the crew gets dealt some nice production and they put in some nice work on the song. Of course the stand out verses belonged to Ross and Bun. Ross is doing a good job carrying the team so far.

Go
Featuring Birdman; Produced by Schife & OhZee
Four songs in a row with nice production is making this album very listenable. Ross again sets the tone for the song, I can’t complain, it has been working, STICK WITH IT. This is the first single from the album and this isn’t a bad one to come out the gate with.

We Getting’ It
Produced by Schife & OhZee
All of the momentum of the album came to a standstill on this track. This song didn’t fit in with the flow of the first four songs. The hook on the song is a problem, the production could have been better, and since the production wasn’t that good, some flaws got exposed with the group. Ross couldn’t save this one.

Trick’n Off
Featuring Gucci Mane; Produced by Drumma Boy
The album swings back on track with an appearance of one of the hottest dudes in the street…GUCCI! You can tell Ross dumbed his lyrics down for Gucci. Triple C’s sound more comfortable rapping on these topics. HOT SONG.

Throw It In The Sky
Produced by The Olympicks
Ross sets the tone again on the track over some pretty good production provided by The Olympicks. This would do some good spins in the club because of the hook and the topic. I like the feel of this one.

Erryday
Featuring Young Jeezy & JW; Produced by Schife & OhZee
Schife and OhZee bounce back after their first slip up to release a BANGER. When Triple C’s get good production, it disguises the fact that they might not be the best MC’s out there, but they do better when they stay in their lane.

Customized
Produced by Schife & OhZee
This is one of those songs that sound so FLORIDA that it’s screaming on the production. I’m on the fence with this song. Half of me likes it, and half of me hates it. The song just doesn’t do enough to win me over.

Gangster Shit
Featuring Game; Produced by Rich Harrison
Game lends a hand on this track and he does what he usually does, but this time he went first and Ross batted clean up on this track. The production does sound like some gangster shit. This song has some good moments, but it’s obvious that this is a one man team.

Finer Things
Featuring Masspike Miles; Produced by The Olympicks
This sounds like your typical Ross track, only problem is that everyone isn’t on Ross’ level. The crew took the Boss’s lead and did enough to keep the listener entertained after Ricky’s verse. The Olympicks did their best J.U.S.T.I.C.E League cover on the production. No diss just noticed.

Chick’n Talk’n
Featuring Mack 10 & Warren G; Produced by The Olympicks & The Dream Team
Don’t adjust your eyes, yes Mack 10 and Warren G are still rapping. This song reminded me why I never listened to Mack…I hate his delivery. What were they thinking with this collab? FAIL.

Diamonds & Maybach Pt. 2
Featuring Suede Royale; Produced by Bink!
Ross is always good for a nice smooth one for you to ride clean to. I can’t even get mad at Ross on this one. Yeah, it’s long (PAUSE), but it’s so smooth that you have to let it ride out. I really like the hook on this one. HOT.

Hustla
Featuring Masspike Miles; Produced by DJ Khalil
They change up and let Gunplay open up on this one and to my surprise he sets it off for the crew. Is this Lloyd on the hook? Sure does sound like him. The production on this one is pretty good, and the Cartel did some good work on this one.

Yams Pt. 2
Featuring Yo Gotti; Produced by Drumma Boy & Zaytoven
“Grandma Kitchen/cooking yams/same pot/she use for the yams”. I guess you know where this one is going. Yo Gotti has become one of the more popular dudes in the streets. If you like dope boy lyrics, this will be one that you jam EVERYDAY. If you are tired of the drug rap…skip this one. I like drug rap when it is executed well, and they did just that on this one.

Bottom Line:
Ross and Triple C’s had a respectable debut album. It was evident that Ross had to be on every track and on most of those tracks, he carried them. Not like his shoulders were not strong enough to do it, but he did get help from the supporting cast, had some nice features, and got a big help from the production. The album will not push a ton of units because it is still being marketed towards the streets. We all know the “streets” don’t buy albums, and as long as that is your targeted audience…you will not do numbers.

nappyPicks: “White Sand”, Trick’n Off, “Erryday”, “Diamonds & Maybachs Pt. 2”, “Yams Pt. 2”

Download: Triple C’s feat. Yo Gotti – “Yams Pt. 2”

Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek are all established artists in the game, so now it’s time for them to take their shot at being moguls. That is what you have with No Security, D-Block’s debut album where they introduce you to: Tommy Stars, St Raw, Trav, Snyp Life, Bully, Bucky, A.P., Large Amount, T. Waters, Chary Ary, PLF, Lou Banga, S.I., Don D, and T.Y. D-Block consists of members from New York, North Carolina, Georgia, and California, so you can expect a little diversity among the group.

So Much Trouble
Sheek, Styles, & Bucky
Featuring Beanie Siegel; Produced by Vinny “King of Beatz” Idol
The album starts with a BANG with Sheek giving twitter shout outs, dissing skinny jeans, and auto tune. Beans lends a hot 16, and Styles drops his usual hotness. So far so good for D-Block.

Thrilla
Sheek, Snyp Life, Large Amount, & Tommy Stars
Produced by Toneheadz
I’m really not too thrilled with the R. Kelly sounding guy on the hook, and the song is on the corny side. I’m going to have to hit FAST FORWARD on this one.

Show Em
Don D & T.Y.
Featuring OJ Da Juiceman; Produced by Wayne Petti
These are obviously the southern members of D-Block hence the OJ collaboration. Don D and T.Y were actually pretty tight on the song; however, the weakest link on the song was OJ. If the song would have ended after they rapped…this song would be FIRE.

Get That Paper
Sheek Louch, Styles P, Jadakiss, & S.I.
Produced by Crada
This is your typical L.O.X. song…HOT! The Yonkers trio comes out the gate with a nice beat, a nice hook, and Sheek, Jada, and P give you what you want on this one. The song is smooth and this is what you want to hear from the LOX.

Get Ya Bounce On
Large Amount, A.P., & Bully
Featuring Webstar; Produced by The Twin
This song doesn’t feature either of the LOX and the track suffers because of it. The song is disposable and shouldn’t be listened to. SKIP!

From the Block
Sheek Louch, Styles P, Bully, T.Y., & Tommy Stars
Produced by Vinny “King of Beatz” Idol
This is the type of music that we like to hear from D-Block. Certain artists make better music when they stick to the script. When I check for D-Block, these are the kind of songs I want to hear.

That’s D-Block
Styles P, Bucky, Straw, Large Amount, AP, & Snyp Life
Produced by Vinny “King of Beatz” Idol
First thing that catches your attention is the production by Vinny “King of Beatz” Idol. This beat is SICK! I think Jada would have bodied this beat, but even without Jada the song is pretty tight. Styles killed it in the end. CHECK FOR IT!

Round & Round
Large Amount, A.P., Bully, & Tommy Stars
Produced by Jesus “Poobz” Fernandez
This is another track that does not feature SP, Jada, or Sheek, and you can tell. The concept is wack, (groupies) the beat is alright if you wanted to dance to it, but it just seems out of place on the album. SKIP!

Hello
Sheek Louch, Large Amount, T.Y., & Bucky
Featuring Red Cafe; Produced by Scram Jones
This is my favorite track off the album so far. T.Y. comes out the gate with Young Dro-esque lines like: “In Carolina I’m the black Pacino/orange Chevy with the white rally stripes like I drive Nemo”. SICK. The person that stood out the most to me was Red Cafe. I must say I have been sleeping on dude. This is a DOPE SONG!

Brother’s Keeper
Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, Styles P, & Bully
Produced by The Minnesota Boyz
This is classic LOX on this track; they overpower the beat with some real heartfelt lyrics. Bully didn’t fit in on the song, but with the work that the other guys put in made up for the suspect verse.

Hustler’s Prayer
Styles P, Bully, & Straw
Produced by Marcus D’ Tray
This track could have been done better, but it wasn’t. The production is pretty good, the only one that brought it was SP, but he needed some more help on the song.

Like That Ya’ll (remix)
Sheek Louch, Styles P, Jadakiss, A.P., Straw, & Snyp Life
Produced by Pete Rock
Don’t rub your eyes, Pete Rock produced this song. With the issue of good production out the window, all the guys have to do is bring their best rhymes to the table. They did. Of course the pups got shined on by the big dogs, but when you are rapping with some of the best to ever do it, you can’t hold your head.

*album also features three hidden cuts*

They could have substituted some of the weaker cuts to include these as actual tracks and the album would have been better.

Bottom Line:
Now that the L.O.X. have put the boys on, the question now is do they have what it takes to make them stars. I can say that they have a nice stable of artists; all of them are nice to an extent. My problem with the album is that it got boring at times, especially the songs where there were no L.O.X. members present. The new guys can rap, they just need help writing hooks and a couple of the guys have delivery problems. I’m sure their intent was to focus on the new generation, but I think they needed more of the old generation to make this a solid album.

nappyPicks: “So Much Trouble”, “Get That Paper”, “That’s D-Block”, “Hello”, & “Like That Ya’ll” (remix)

Download: D-Block – “Like That Ya’ll (remix)”

Mims. A pioneer of the “ringtone” rapper hustle. The war still rages on now; either you’re trying to move an album or you’re banking on Platinum ringtone/digital single sales; with the latter looked at as adding further to the unnecessary commercialization of the art.

I call Rida, Flo and Tell Em’, Soulja Boy to the stand. I digress.

I like Mims. If anybody caught some serious hate, especially in my Southern stomping grounds, it was the artist I’m reviewing at this moment. “This Is Why I’m Hot” was loved or hated, but the success that surrounded the song could not be denied. “Like This” failed to garner much steam and Music Is My Savior sold modestly, leaving Mims hanging in one hit wonder limbo with J-Kwon [Man was “Hood Hoppin’” a hit or what? –end sarcasm-] and Rich Boy.

Many dismissed him based on “This Is Why I’m Hot” and downed his basic, yet more than meets the eye flow. Taking a chance and listening to his last album, which had stumbles admittedly; I noticed there was promise underneath the mountain of hate he was buried under. Mims is a student of the game, with an obvious passion in his rhymes about Hip-Hop and music in general. The package is there, but can it be displayed? Can Guilt dispel the unevenness from the last album and distance his image from that of a ringtone royalty?

1. Guilt
This I wouldn’t have chose this to intro the album, although I understand WHY he chose it. A laid back, bluesy beat is laid down for Mims to rap about his issues (vaguely) with the rap game and his image in general. Try as he might, Mims is not Jay-Z and just doesn’t pull off that “reflective opening” style like Hov has perfected album after album. Too by the numbers and not enough emotion to make me believe what he’s saying, despite a steady flow.

2. The Skit
Produced by Da Internz
I enjoyed this. Merely a skit, but so original. It’s a conversation in a barbershop between a customer and rap “enthusisses” Murder Death Kill AKA MDK proceeds to say every hate I’ve heard about Mims since his debut 2 years ago and it’s refreshing that a rapper would willingly let himself get ate up, with pretty much no get back by the end of the skit. It shows confidence. Also goes a long way that “The Skit” is actually funny.

3. On & On
Produced by Da Internz
Enjoyable. The beat reminded me of ”Roses” by Kanye West, but distanced itself as it continued in a major way. It suits Mims laid back flow as he explains what he’s about in the rap game, answering a few questions along the way. This could have led the way easily, showcasing Mims rapping HIS style with an original beat that compliments.

4. Love Rollercoaster
Featuring LeToya Luckett; Produced by Da Internz
The obligatory relationship problems rap. Nothing really standout about this track, and by the numbers tracks like this do not help Mims at all, considering he’s still trying to flesh his style to begin with. LeToya brings it for her verse towards the end, but the material is so “been there, done that” on her part and Mims, it becomes an easy track to pass on. You’ve heard this done better elsewhere.

5. Move (If You Wanna)
Produced by Da Internz
NOW we’ve got something. This is the first single they released and for good reason. A little bit of chop and screw, heavy drums and bass, and Mims slides in and out of the beat with ease. This also marks the track where he FINALLY brings the punches and wordplay that won me over in spurts with his last album. For example…

“Don’t understand how can I have so many ha-ters /
Knowin’ I’m their father like my name is Darth Va-der /
I can get you hemmed up while I’m bein tay-lored /
Then I slide off to the side like a fa-der /
HOMEY I’M THE PRESIDENT, GOVERNOR AND MA-YOR!!! /
I CONTROL EVERYTHING, LIKE A DIC-TATOR!!! /
GET YOU BIZ MARKED UP, TURN YOU INTO VA-PORS!!! /
IF YOU GOT A PROBLEM GET YOU SWALLOWED LIKE A CHA-SER!!! /”

Tracks like this prove people are catching too much sleep on Mims. Money in the bank, and I’m not talking Swizz.

6. One Day
Featuring Ky-Mani Marley
WHY?! Ugh. I hate a bad song. More than anything, I hate a song that could have been great, but little things destroy it. Marley has a wonderful feature and the beat is well done, easy on the ears. Then here comes Mims using the new fad of the rap game, Autotune. It does his voice no favors and completely kills what could have been another solid number on this album. He would have been better suited without it or perhaps spitting as opposed to taking that kind of risk. Disappointing.

7. Chasing Sunshine
Featuring & Produced by KVN
I’m noticing Mims is striking gold on these beats featuring real instrumentation. The guitar, piano, and ESPECIALLY the violin portions elevate this song to must listen status. This is the reflective number he should have aimed for with Guilt. The emotion is dead on and features better storytelling. It only helps that the beat evolves with Mims as he experiences highs and lows on his memories. KVN’s feature is understated, slowly growing on you as it continues. He’s not meant to overpower the track and you realize this as it soldiers on. I believe him on this.

8. Rock ‘N Rollin’
Featuring Tech N9ne; Produced by Jim Jonsin
We slow things down here, as Mims makes sure you catch every rock related metaphor he’s prepared to throw at you. This track is definitely blazing if you can follow all of the references. A section if I may…

“Find me at Linkin Park with a Motley Crue /
You say you know the what but you do not know The Who /
Pay attention you could miss it if you Blink 182 /
And me I’m the one, just like I’m U2 /
Unforgettable fire, burning like the Wailers /
My life’s a motion picture, and this is just the trailer /
My suit’s a perfect fit just like it’s tailored /
Fuck her like an animal, I Nine Inch Nail her /”

And what a surprise on the feature! Tech N9ne drops a comfortable verse on this one, this kind of style made for his left-field flow. The metaphors alone make this worth the listen. The best isn’t particularly special, but the wordplay was meant to overshadow that anyway.

9. Be My Hustla
Featuring J. Holiday
Aside from Codeine related hook; pretty average stuff here. Holiday has never had a strong presence on a track voice-wise from what I’ve heard, leaving this void of a standout quality. Mims isn’t really working to provide that moment either; professing his love over the subject of this song with the usual drug related references. Again, Mims is not at his best when he’s trying a cliché style. It hurts him due to other rappers doing what he’s trying to do, but better. Inoffensive track, but easily forgettable

10. Makin’ Money
Produced by Da Internz
Whoever tailored this beat is an obvious Swizz Beats fan. Distorted sample hooked over and over, the usual “Hey”sample as it builds, and party drum patterns. Sounds like a rough cut of “Money In The Bank”. Mims hops on no problem; pity he’s not really saying anything out of the ordinary. He also falls victim of a few recycled metaphors from previous tracks. Not a bad track actually, just lacking. This easily could have found b-boy or club banger status with more fine tuning on production and the lyrical content.

11. In My Life (Why Oh Why)
Produced by Da Internz
Firmly in the “aight” category. He spits about taking risks and challenging himself in life for the blessings he has received. Oh the irony, because I’m not quite seeing enough of it on this album. Despite that, not a bad song here. I think they were aiming for an epic feel on the beat, but couldn’t quite nail it. This won’t hold a candle to the hottest tracks on this album, but this definitely has a place.

12. One Last Kiss
Featuring Solar Mesh
The strongest track of this album. Only “Move” could come close. Original, layered, emotional. The beat is never syrupy and drips of originality, yet stays grounded in enough hip-hop root not to lose you. Mims speaks on how he wish his mom could be here to see the things he has accomplished/has yet to accomplish, his love pouring through on this standout. Solar Mesh holds the hook together with passion in his voice, with just enough produced distortion to keep the song’s impact intact.

This is the fire I know Mims can create when he tries. He takes enough of everything and grounds it with his assured style to create a style that is his own. Listening to this, you can’t help but wish you had that one moment to tell someone, alive or dead, how much they mattered or how they affected you for the better. You won’t believe you’ve been listening to the same artist when you hear this. Thumbs way up.

13. Heal Me (Outro)
Featuring Soler Mesh
Solar Mesh follows up his supporting role in the previous track with another strong turn in this piano and drum rooted track. Mims seeks forgiveness and repentance for his sins, knocking out an extended verse in the middle of this short track, book ended by Mesh’s passionate voice. Short, to the point, and it never find the time to drag. Can’t knock that.

14. I Do
Featuring Nice & Smooth
The closer. A somber beat with enough energy to tap your feet to. This would be another track professing his love, but he accomplishes it in a way so that it’s candid, yet not alienating the listener. Nice & Smooth add to the track with singing and some Fatman Scoop style hyping, but I don’t see how their feature took it to another level. Not a bad way to close and again, this track finds Mims in his element of blending many styles to create one he can comfortably flow in. This must continue.

Bottom Line:
Mims drives me insane. He’s in that rare league with a guy like Cassidy where it just doesn’t come together when it needs to. He possesses talent that is beyond his ringtone rapper label and it shines through on tracks like “Move” and the especially brilliant “One Last Kiss”. What is holding him back from paving his own style? Every time he tries it on this album, it creates something special that set him apart from the pack. Then he decides to settle into the “safe’ topics and clichés of hip-hop and completely loses the steam he’s created. Uneven is the best way to describe this offering from the DC native.

Even when he stumbled on One Day by using Autotune, it took that to destroy what could have been another hit. I can’t knock a playa for taking risks you know? The problem is, he didn’t take enough of them to cement what Mims is about. Guilt is an album that could rise above and beyond, but chooses to take steps back, afraid to soar in a time where originality counts for so much in the rap game. That’s sad, because this really could have been the album that erased layers of the hate he receives. Now it’s just a lyrical lesson in weeding through average to get to the cool.

nappyPicks: “One Last Kiss”, “Move”, “Chasing Sunshine”, “On & On”, & “Rock ‘N Rollin’”

Download: Mims feat. Solar Mesh – “One Last Kiss”

Soulja Boy Tell Em’ seems to get a lot of hate in the game: when he first showed up on the scene with a record-breaking single that was catchy enough to get him a Grammy nomination AND sold 3x Platinum; people immediately had their opinions of him. All the teenagers were doing the dance and bopping their heads to the beat, while all the older folks were complaining. Who did this kid think he was? Even Ice-T, a legend, went out of his way to tell Soulja Boy to “eat a dick”. Well, now that Soulja is in the game, the next goal is to STAY there. Let’s see if he can avoid the sophomore jinx.

I’m Bout Tha Stacks (Intro)
Produced by Drumma Boy
This is a straight up-banger to start the album off. Not bad, I wouldn’t expect anything else from Soulja Boy. First thing you’ll notice is Soulja has finally hit puberty; his voice is A LOT deeper. His lyrics still aren’t anything you’ve heard before, but he seems to have smartened up; “I got the stacks, coming straight out the Vault/Checking out my life, man it ain’t what you thought”. That one line is better than anything on his last album. Good song.

Bird Walk
Produced by Soulja Boy Tell Em’
The first single off the album. To be honest, I didn’t even know this was out until I saw the music video for it on King Jerm’s Friday Night Fro’. It’s a blatant attempt to repeat the success he had on “Crank That”, but looking at the way it’s doing, it won’t. Plus, the song just isn’t as good: “Watch me do my…BIRD WALK!!” Whatever. OK song, the beat bangs like crazy.

Turn My Swag On
Produced by Natural Disaster for U.N.I. Productions
I liked this song when it first came on; the beat is hot! But Soulja Boy is trying to sing on this?!? It wasn’t bad when I thought he was just doing it on the hook, but the first verse is just awful; we can’t all be T.I.! The hook is hot though, so I’m kind of up in the air on this song; leaning on a skip.

Gucci Bandana
Produced by Soulja Boy Tell Em’
Featuring Gucci Mane & Shawty Lo
See the features on this one? CLASSIC! These three must have set out to make the absolute worst rap song they could, and they pretty much succeeded. The beat is a low key on a piano over and over, and Soulja Boy’s hook is “Gucci Bandana, Gucci, Gucci Bandana” repeated 20 times. Still, Soulja Boy has the best verse, even if he rhymes like Shawty LO. Don’t get me wrong though, this song is terrible, probably the worst I’ve heard all year. SKIP SKIP SKIP!!!

Eazy
Produced by Zaytoven
He came back on this one. Basically, Soulja Boy is boasting on how “eazy” the rap game is to him. I guess selling three million singles puts you in that mindset? This song is decent, nothing special. On a side note, I notice how most of Soulja Boy’s songs are only 3 minutes long. Thank God!

Kiss Me Thru The Phone
Featuring Sammie; Produced by Jim Jonsin
This is the second single, though it shoulda been the first. This song is just completely dominated by Sammie and he steals the show (Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you want to move units). Soulja Boy’s rapping is alright; it’s about how he wants to be with his girl though he can’t. It’s MUCH better than last year’s “Soulja Girl”. Decent song.

Booty Got Swag
Produced by Soulja Boy Tell Em’
This is supposed to be “Donk Part 2″. This song sucks! At least he didn’t have a song called “Booty Meat” like last time. SKIP!!

Rubberbands
Produced by Drumma Boy
This song is alright, Soulja Boy is boasting about some street shit, which we all know isn’t true. The beat is ok, but everything else falters. What’s more, this song is too damn long! SKIP!

Hey You There
Produced by Soulja Boy Tell Em’
When I saw the title, I thought he was gonna holla at some girls, but NO! Leave it to Soulja Boy to make a song about a Mall Cop yelling “Hey! You there!” at him. He makes his voice the weirdest I’ve ever heard on a rap song, and this is without a doubt one of the worst rap song of the year, no kidding. SKIP SKIP SKIP!!!

Yamaha Mama
Featuring Sean Kingston; Produced by Polow Da Don
Alright, here Soulja brings it back after three downers that messed up the whole album. Sean Kingston again steals the show, and this song was actually enjoyable to me. Well, okay, enjoyable without the SB parts.

Wit My Yums On
Produced by Soulja Boy Tell Em’
This is about Soulja Boy’s new sneaker line. SKIP!

Go Head
Featuring Juney Boondata; Produced by Soulja Boy Tell Em’
Yeah, I’m really not feeling this one either. Soulja Boy is slipping big time here; he had at least a 2 Star album before this song. SKIP!!

Shopping Spree
Featuring Gucci Mane & Yo Gotti; Produced by Mr. Hankey
This song is awful!! The beat, alright. Everything else, and Gucci Mane’s “Yahhhh!” especially is just awful. Yo Gotti’s verse is the best, but he can’t save this song at all. SKIP!

Soulja Boy Tellem
Produced by The Package Store & Mr. Collipark
Here, Soulja Boy is talking to his critics who are talking down to him and shit. This could have been Soulja Boy’s lyrical song of the album, but instead he just lazily cruises through it. I’m leaning on a skip here, but it’s a decent song…I guess.

Whoop Rico
Featuring Show Stoppas; Produced by Soulja Boy Tell Em’
This album is really getting on my nerves. This song is just filler, again! Soulja Boy is not saying anything on this track, and neither are the Show Stoppas. SKIP!

I Pray (Outro)
Produced by Drumma Boy
This song is just too long for its own good, but it comes from the heart, which I think is what counts. The topics he’s talking about are his problems with his mom, getting girls pregnant (Damn!), and finally getting signed only to become one of the most hated rappers out there. I feel for him, but maybe I’m just glad I’m done?

Bottom Line:
At first, I thought Soulja Boy was going to grow up on this one and make a decent album that I figured critics wouldn’t completely destroy. Well, it looks like we’re back on that same road again. Soulja Boy needs to grow up in the game: you 18 man, make some music that isn’t just for the teenyboppers! I will say that this album is better than his last album (not that that’s a hard thing to do: it got one star!), but at the same time, it’s just not the breakout album Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em needs to be respected in the game. Update: I was harsh on the Soulja Boy album; I decided that it really deserves a 2.5 after listening to it again.

nappyPicks: “Yamaha Mama” & “Eazy”

Download: Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em feat. Gucci Mane & Shawty LO – “Gucci Bandana”

Lucky number 8. Okay, maybe it’s lucky number 7, but how else do you approach an album as anticipated as this one from Common? After the commercial successes of Be and Finding Forever (2 gold albums back to back), 3 movies, and a sag card to his name, the streets was watchin’ for this album. There has been a buzz about this album being different and more club friendly as are most of the releases this year, but what does that mean when you hear it from Common? Let’s get Wright to it fam.

Intro/Universal Mind Control
Featuring Pharrell; produced by The Neptunes
We all have heard this song, being that it was release back in July in preparation for what was to be an “Invincible Summer” release album. Initially, I wasn’t feeling this song. Maybe time has helped, or maybe I see the light. I dig this song. I don’t usually go for club/dance/techno sounding stuff, but this is a good track.

Punch Drunk Love (The Eye)
Featuring Kanye West & Pharrell; Produced by The Neptunes
You get some of the same tech sensibilities of the previous track, but at about a third of the beats per minute. It’s a slower jam, but that’s a good thing. The track features Common and Ye woppin’ over this syrupy love song that drips with confidence and slick wordplay. “Check my dictionary/that ass is so defined…..I come from Chica so in I Go…” They volley of this track between Common and Ye is dope and I can’t front on it at all. This is my favorite song on the album.

Make My Day
Featuring Cee-Lo; Produced by Mr. DJ
If the Bee Gee’s ever did a rap album, this is the track they would use. I would guess this is the second single based off it’s lighthearted sensibilities. This song is pure evidence that this record should have come out in the summer. I can smell the “bomb pops” (for my midwest folks) all over this jam. It’s not bad, just very very different. The lyrics are just as bubblegum and nowandlater as the track is. The song isn’t a skip, but I probably wouldn’t play it again until July.

Sex 4 Sugar
Produced by The Neptunes
This is ready for the club scene. Forgettable lyrics, check. Techno driven sound, check. Airy chant hook, check. I can’t put into words how much I dislike this song, but the word skip comes to mind. SKIP.

Announcement
Featuring Pharrell; Produced by The Neptunes
The track comes on and is a welcome sound after the previous two songs. Another one of the slower more methodical songs with a groove and more traditional format. This song is by far one of the better 3 on the album. Lyrically, Com again is subdued and I’ve never really been a fan of Pharrell as a rapper but he shows about as well as I’d expect.

Gladiator
Featuring Pharrell; Produced by The Neptunes
I think musically and conceptually, this is the dopest song on the album. We are teased with another whimsical, 60’s sampling hook but this time, it’s paired with a incessant, head banger of a track. Com comes with his typical lyrical assault and a extra serving heat on this one. He spits pure fire at anyone who dares to challenge him. This is that mythical 3rd song that I was speaking of. It doesn’t really fit on this album at all, but the delivery and track are a welcome sound here.

Changes
Featuring Muhsinah & Omoye Assata Lynn; Produced by Mr. DJ
This is another track best suited for a children’s cartoon as it is really light and airy. I really can’t do this track any justice but it sounds like the title suggests, a change. If you don’t hear this song and think you are floating on low clouds and all the animals and flowers are singing this song to you as you pass….man look…this ain’t my kinda song AT ALL. I appreciate the sentiment though. The song is a dedication and expression of Obama being president and the triumph that we should feel about him being elected. So maybe the dreamy aspect is intentional? Well, I’m going to go ahead and say that it is considering that his daughter is on the album, I’m sure that the sound is intentional.

Inhale
Produced by The Neptunes
This is a cool track laid over some scratching and a synth chord that sounds like it’s from some 80’s RnB song. Com does his thing on here with lyrics that are more on par with his previous work. The song features Common Sense speaking about how his flow is his breath and the many manifestations of his breath in life. When you couple lyrics like, “…flowin’ so deep even underwater / I can inhale and put the world in order….gaspin’ for air, air everlastin / raps that are rare, I write with Christ’s / Passion and stair, way to heaven…” and the methodical “inhale” chant that plays as the hook, you start to feel this one by the time it’s over. Unfortunately, he lets the beat play out instead of kicking more lyrics over about the last minute of this song. I think this song would get a lot more critical acclaim but the songs leading up to this one don’t really prepare you to appreciate it, if that makes sense.

What A World
Featuring Chester French; Produced by The Neptunes
The sound on this one is predictable, not that that is a good or bad thing, but it’s evident that Common is committed to this dance/techno/universal sound that he was aiming for. I think the idea to adopt a more old school flow is curious. I can appreciate it just because I know it was a deliberate choice, and a well done one to boot. However, it seems out of place when laid over this track and married to the hook on this song.

Everywhere
Featuring Martina Topley-Bird; Produced by Mr. DJ
Martina has a bit of a following on the trip hop scene and from what I’ve heard, this song is typical of that genre. I like her voice and the celestial sound of it layered on this song. Common doesn’t touch the mic until 1:30 in and he is clearly energized on this one. I think that if his album sounded more like this it would probably be a better album all together.

Bottom Line:
It is very important to note that Common didn’t ask for us to recognize him as a conscious rapper. Not only that, but it is obvious that even as he first hit the scene with his first two Cd’s, lyrically, he was a force to recon with…even while his flow was more frenetic and unpredictable. I deliberately haven’t mentioned Electric Circus up to this point because other sites like to compare this to that album erroneously. The difference between this and EC (one of his best albums) is that EC came off effortlessly and seamlessly. While that album was different, it seemed a lot more natural. Let me clarify that I am not one that says “this just ain’t Common” because I think that Common is one of the more creative artists in the biz and trying to define him is more than a notion…but this album DOESN’T SOUND NATURAL. It doesn’t quite gel for him or anyone else and is painfully mediocre and short. Should you buy it?  Well, that’s your call. I’m a Common fan, and this isn’t hardly my favorite Common release. I’ll probably cop it when it drops because that’s what I do. I have all his albums and usually buy 2 copies on release day, but I feel like he’s earned a pass…and this album isn’t terrible. No, this isn’t the Common from the previous 7 albums and he set out deliberately to make a club album quoting, “….I realized that my own DJ wasn’t playing my music in the club.” To that, all I can say is that I don’t think most of your fans expect/want to hear you in the club. I still consider Common grown man rap, and this grown man doesn’t do clubs. Maybe I’m immune to Universal Mind Control.

Download: Common feat. Kanye West & Pharrell – “Punk Drunk Love (The Eye)”

Even though DJ Khaled has help to progress the careers of some of today’s more popular music artists such as T-Pain, Akon, Rick Ross, & Plies, he never actually handpicked and groomed a rapper of his own. Enter: Ace Hood; the first rapper of Khaled’s Def Jam distributed label, We The Best. My thoughts about Ace Hood have been always confusing. I kinda thought he wasn’t worthy of being in XXL’s Class Of ’09/The 10 Freshmen (Even though he’s one of the few on the list to actually release an album). Then I was surprised at how he held his own in the best cypher at the BET’s 2008 Hip-Hop Awards (With Jadakiss, Fabolous, & Juelz Santana). Well, Ace Hood may put the doubters to rest with his debut album Gutta. Is Ace Hood ready to take his game to the next level?

1. I Don’t Give A Fuck
Produced by Kane Beatz
Production wise, Gutta starts off on the right foot. Kane Beatz gives a truck rattler as Ace rides the beat. Even though Ace Hood rhymes leave a lot to be desired in terms of originality, his actual flow and voice get the job done.

2. Can’t Stop
Featuring Akon; Produced by The Runners
“Konvict Muzik!” Why do people let Akon yell this on a song even when he doesn’t produced the beat? I can’t front though here; even though I’m tired of Akon, the best part of this song is the hook. The beat sounds like you standard fair when it comes to The Runners’ produced beats. Ace continues to talk about buying Louie bags and mall shopping sprees. I guess the recession is not effecting Ace Hood.

3. Get ‘Em Up
Produced by Drumma Boy
For the observant folks out there, you might remember the song being played at the end of Ace’s “Ride (remix)” music video. Even though the subject matter doesn’t vary much, Ace Hood is in his zone here over this Drumma Boy produced beat; “I say I maybe gave a damn, but I never gave a fuck. Rep your city like a G and put your middle finger up”. It works.

4. Gutta
Featuring Trick Daddy; Produced by Gold Ru$h
Did they just flip Vicki Sue Robinson’s “Turn The Beat Around”? Yes. I won’t lie, I was ready to hit the skip button at first. But on further listen I actually think it’s one of the better tracks on the album. It really reminds me of something Trick Daddy would have done himself earlier in his career. This is one to check out.

5. Guns High
Featuring Rock City; Produced by DJ Nasty
Even though the beat sounds like it was well produced by DJ Nasty, I’m hoping Ace changes subject matter from guns, money, and drugs…or at least brings something different to the topic. I don’t feel either way about this track. And is it R. City or Rock City?

6. Cash Flow
Featuring T-Pain & Rick Ross; Produced by The Runners
One reason I think this song didn’t catch on better than it did earlier this year was that it sounded like it was another DJ Khaled song instead of spotlighting Ace Hood. The beat on this one is hard though; I always thought that. Ross and Ace rap about, uh, what else: money. Love him or hate him, the one who steals the show here is T-Pain (And how long was that hook?).

7. Ride
Featuring Trey Songz; Produced by The Inkredibles
I can imagine the Def Jam executives talking about this track; Exec A: “Ace Hood’s album needs more buzz. Maybe we should suggest he diversify his subject matter?” Exec B: “Hell no! Your ass better call Trey Songz or Ray J and tell that nigga to make a song for the ladies. It’s a recession fool!” All jokes aside, Trey Songz does his thing on the hook. Even though there have been a million “down ass chick” songs made, I guess this one could have been worse.

8. Fed Bound
Produced StreetRunner
Okay; the production here is actually high quality (Especially the intro). It has a good cinematic feel to it. The only slight drawback beside lines like “I keep that lead to pencil sharpen your head”, the track sounds a little like an intro track. A notable selection.

9. Stressin’
Featuring Plies; Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Ace Hood does a useful job in detailing the stress in life (Bills, jail time, betrayal, child support, etc.). The production is provided by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League which is a good thing since most of the time they do good work. I’m scratching my head over the Plies supplied hook. “Trying to help a nigga and he wes me…” What the hell does “wes” mean?

10. Money Ova Here
Produced by The Inkredibles
“We got money ove here! We got money ove here! We got money ove here!” (Sigh). I know this is probably a strip club anthem or something, but SKIP.

11. Can’t See Y’all
Featuring Brisco; Produced by Shawty Redd
Ace Hood keeps the “Gunshine State” theme going and hooks up with yet another Floridian. I give this one a pass because instead of doing the copy and paste thing, Brisco and Ace actually go back and forth and come out with a hood banger (The Shawty Redd beat adds to this). Is Brisco still on Cash Money?

12. Get ‘Em
Produced by The Inkredibles
I checked out the music video for this one and it’s pretty bland. But the actual song isn’t half bad and is saved by the electric gutair and my favorite part, the “Blocka, Blocka, Blocka, Blocka, boy there he go!” part.

13. Call Me
Featuring Lloyd; Produced by The Inkredibles
Yeah, Ace Hood has almost all the R&B singers who specialize in doing Rap hooks: Trey Songz, T-Pain, and now Lloyd. This might as well have been “Ride Pt. 2”. I know this will probably get radio play, but SKIP!

14. Ghetto
Featuring Dre; Produced by Cool & Dre
It seems like Cool & Dre production has took a down turn as of late; a year or so ago this track would have been better. At this point, it seems like Ace really doesn’t have anything else to talk about besides money and the streets. Maybe if I would have heard this sing earlier in the album, my thoughts would have been different. But after a whole album full of this kind of stuff….

15. Top Of The World
Damn, I guess they saved the best for last. This is by far the top track on Gutta. Ace Hood finally drops the posturing (Well, not really). The kids singing on the hook could actually make this a great single. The piano powered beat gives this song a retrospective feel and ends the album on a good note.

16. Ride (remix)
Featuring Trey Songz, Rick Ross, & Juelz Santana; Produced by The Inkredibles
I spoke about the video for this song a while ago. The track is more of a bonus than really a part of the album and hey, it’s actually better than the original.

Bottom Line:
Seeing that Ace Hood is looked at by some as one of leaders of the new school, you’d think he’d try to carve out a niche of his own. While he does show some talent, it seems like Ace never opens up and shows the world that he’s more than just materialism and  gangster pretentiousness. The album does have a note-worthy cast of producers and Ace does keep in Florida with the guests. I sure some may love Gutta but personally, I don’t think this album, or maybe Ace, would get much attention without the DJ Khaled co-sign.

Download: Ace Hood – “Top Of The World”

Bonus: Ace Hood feat. Trey Songz, Rick Ross, & Juelz Santana – “Ride (remix)”

For a few years now, it seems like DJ Khaled is every hot rappers’ new best friend. Armed with the fortune of reppin’ from the hotbed of Hip-Hop right now (Florida), Khaled is most known for getting the most premier rappers together on songs (As well as yelling at the top of his lungs “We the best!” constantly). Now he’s on the verge of releasing his third album, We Global. With a new Def Jam label deal in hand and a new rapper to promote, Khaled is attempting to take it to next level. Let’s take a look at Khaled’s major label debut…

1. Standing On The Mountain Top
Featuring Ace Hood & Pooh Bear; Produced by Beat Novacaine
Over a epic sound, Khaled does this sort of spoken word/rapping thing before introducing you to his artist Ace Hood. Personally, I’m still up in the air about Ace. It’s funny; he almost did exactly this on the intro for his last album We The Best (take out Ace and put in Rick Ross). He produced that track too. It’s an okay track, but it could have been harder.

2. Go Hard
Featuring Kanye West & T-Pain; Produced by The Runners
“I think its time for me to go hard as the hood I’m from”. I honestly didn’t feel this song when I picked it for Song of the Week in August. Well, now I fucking love this song. All vocoder shit aside, I think sometimes we forget that T-Pain & Kanye are actually really talented. With this hook T-Pain made me remember why I liked Plies’ “Shawty”. Kanye gets gutter while The Runners provide a hard beat. I’m only gonna say this once; best song off the album.

3. Out Here Grindin’
Featuring Akon, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Ace Hood, & Plies; Produced by The Runners & Akon
Every year, Khaled drops a big posse cut song; this is it. While not bad, it doesn’t compare to Khaled’s previous works like “I’m So Hood” or “Brown Paper Bag”. It also lacks the A-List star quality (They should have kept Jeezy & Weezy in). It’s still not a bad song; it’s just toned down.

4. Go Ahead
Featuring Fabolous, Flo Rida, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, & Lloyd; Produced by The Runners
I think The Runners make great beats, but their trademark “breathing” sound effect gets annoying three times in a row. When I saw Lloyd on the track I automatically new this was one for the ladies. It’s kinda catching but very forgettable (especially the generic beat). Which is a shame because I feel Fabolous has been killing it lately. Besides him, it seems like everyone spits the same tired player lines from their previous outings.

5. I’m On
Featuring Nas & Cool; Produced by Cool & Dre
I remember when this song leaked earlier this year and everybody thought it was gonna be on Nigger/Untitled. Man, the bloggers were pissed off! But really I don’t mind this one at all. I don’t mind Nas flossing on the song because that was a part of his career too (“Money fall out the sky when I speak/Gotta valet, can’t leave mine in these streets”). For some reason the beat reminds me of “Owe Me” or something like that. It’s not Nasir’s best, but I didn’t mind this song either.

6. Red Light
Featuring The Game; Produced by The Inkredibles
I think Game is sometimes at his best when he is just talking shit. This is basically what he does here. The production from The Inkredibles is solid and samples Joe Simon’s “Trace Your Love” (9th Wonder also used this sample on Memphis Bleek’s “Alright”; I love that song). The Game continues his Jay-Z stalking and kinda calls him out here a few times (“Jay is Jay but to win that you gotta show me/Matter of fact, Young Hov gotta show B”). Game just being Game.

7. We Global
Featuring Fat Joe, Ray J, & Trey Songz; Produced by The Runners
For some reason, Khaled feels like it’s good idea to put two R&B singers on one track but formulate it like a rap song. Plus it’s not really a song for the ladies either. Also, not to sound like a hater, but why do people keep giving Brandy’s little brother work? Songz turns in a good hook, but this one wasn’t for me.

8. She’s Fine
Featuring Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, & Sean Paul; Produced by Danja
For some reason a track with Missy and Sean Paul on it together sounds really outdated. I respect what Missy had done in the past but her rap style here just seems old now. Busta doesn’t have enough to save this one either. The beat has reggae influence but… You know what? SKIP!

9. Final Warning
Featuring Rock City, Ace Hood, Blood Raw, Bali, Lil’ Scrappy, Shawty LO, Brisco, & Bun B; Produced by The Inkredibles
The Inkredibles go 2 for 2 as far the beats provided for this album. Even though the list of rappers are mostly second class, Bun keeps his consistency and turns in a good verse, Rock City does a good hook, and Shawty LO…well Shawty LO is just awful here. I don’t know what the fuck they were thinking.

10. Fuck The Other Side
Featuring Trick Daddy & Dunk Ryders; Produced by Gold Ru$h
“Cause bitch I’m live!” I’ve always liked Trick Daddy; it seems he’s always made a certain kind of music and stuck with. The beat provided by Gold Ru$h here is surprisingly hot (Seeing at how I doubt this one will be a single). Trick Daddy handles the hook and the last verse while his new crew the Dunk Ryders handle the first two verses. Trick does his thing while I’m not so sure about the Ryders. This is song is worth checking out.

11. Bullet
Featuring Rick Ross & Cham; Produced by DJ Nasty
On paper the match up of Ross & Cham doesn’t really look good. But when I listened to the track, it actually works. The beat is a hybrid of reggae and Hip-Hop with hand claps and sirens; it gives Ricky room to do his thing while still giving Baby Cham room to do his. The “Whhooooaaaaaaa!” sample in the background has that Shyne “Bad Boyz” feel also.

12. Blood Money
Featuring Rick Ross, Ace Hood, Brisco, & Birdman; Produced by Isaac Opus
It’s something about this track that just didn’t grab me. All the rappers here turn in a verse with Ross also doing the hook as they talk about their love for drug/blood money. I’ve heard Brisco a few times but does this guy really have a fan base? The track as a whole is boring.

13. Defend Dade
Featuring Pitbull & Casely; Produced by Diaz Brothers
Mr. 305 and R&B singer Casely close out We Global. It seems like Khaled is limping towards the finish line (He doesn’t even yell on the last 2 tracks…is that a bad thing?). I expected a track like this; Khaled always has at least one track on his album that gives love to Dade County. This particular track sounds more like a track you’d hear on Pitbull’s album. Not bad; just more like filler.

Bottom Line:
DJ Khaled’s albums are kinda like some big budget summer movies. They have big names and special effects, but when you actually go see them they just don’t live up to the hype. What’s also weird here is that DJ Khaled didn’t bring out as much star power as he’s have on his previous efforts (Where’s Lil’ Wayne, T.I., or Young Jeezy?). If you’re not bringing a cohesive album, at least give me that. Not to say that he doesn’t bring in some hits; Khaled still has the ability to put together a big posse cut. Still, he’s has to remember that the features on a song don’t make the actual song…the song does.

nappyPicks: “Go Hard”, “Red Light”, & “Fuck The Other Side”

Download: DJ Khaled feat. Rock City, Ace Hood, Blood Raw, Bali, Lil’ Scrappy, Shawty LO, Brisco, & Bun B – “Final Warning”

12 albums, all gold or platinum. His last album went gold with but quickly fell off the charts and was viewed by most as a failure. This being his last album with Def Jam (some 20 years after he first signed), how does LL wrap up his tenure? By teaming up with 50 Cent, that’s how. Thic takes him to the mat…

It’s Time For War
Greek gods and chariots are the imagery for this one. Drama, ah-ah chants, big drums, it’s that type of track. LL comes in and makes sure you are familiar with “The Holy Spirit using Hip Hop slang.” Todd takes on the attacks and shuts them down. “I’m beyond the gold grills and logos on chains/Ya see, I changed rap forever, I elevated the game. Launched the greatest label in the history of rap/And for 24 years I carried it on my back.” He makes no bones about it, folks been talking shit and you need to know, this dude is on that other. The tone is set and I hope he lives up to it. The song is fly as hell.

Old School New School
Produced by Ryan Leslie
There is video on YouTube of Ryan making this beat, it’s a really nice track. I think the title lends itself better to some old school banger type beat, but this still works well. The song itself is the same swagger and boasting from the last song. He has the record to back it up, so I ain’t sayin’ shit. The song is pretty cool though.

Feel My Heart Beat
Featuring 50 Cent
Time to get to your bread and butter; a song for the ladies. There is nothing complex or special about the track, but its okay. For some reason, LL raps this one with the last word of each line going UP in tone from the rest of the sentence. It’s horribly annoying. The hook and overall tone of this song is lazy and I don’t care for it at all. The use of the big band horn section goes to waste on the first song I don’t like on this album.

Get Over Here
Featuring Nicolette, Jiz, Lyrikal, & Ticky Diamondz
Mr. Smith is credited with breaking a few careers and this song seems to be inspired by that reputation. Nicolette is the first to attack the heavy synth and chord track. She sounds a lot like Lil’ Mama but her flow is a little different. She does a good job here and I am interested in hearing more. LL goes next, oddly, and brings us a more sped up flow than he’s been using lately. I dig the way he rides this beat though. Jiz is next and he flows like the previous two; again, it fits the beat well. Rounding out the relay is Ticky who slows it down but still does a good job. The song is fun and a cool little introduction of these youngstas in the game.

Baby
Featuring The-Dream; Produced by Tricky Stewart
I think this is one of the better tracks and hooks on the album and is apparently going to be a hit. You know what LL is talking about, just read the title. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Now, lyrically, this shit is elementary even for LL. “Nasty girl taught me all the lingo./Her mama play bingo, she ride mandingo/She don’t give a damn if I’m married or single/She makes me tingle/Shorty I’m yo….” There is more but yeah, you get the picture. That aside, the song is too fun to really dislike. Give it a few spins and it will get your movin’.

You Better Watch Me
Produced by Marley Marl
I was excited to see Marl doing this one; maybe we would get more boom bap for our buck. I was right!!! This is a really dark track that is bass, kick, a slight chord and a hot mic. Marl tosses in some mixing and LL does damage on this one. I think this is clearly when he is at his best, on the attack and over an 808 track. “You can’t compare me to them, line for line./I’m beyond that, I represent eras in time.”

Cry
Featuring Lil’ Mo; Produced by Raw Uncut
Have I professed my love for Lil’ Mo before? Oh well, yeah, that’s my girl. She lends her sound to this fly ass track by Raw Uncut that is a lot deeper than I would expect. The layering and production of the track does a great job of staying entertaining. The song itself has LL flowing lines of devotion and love…all ending with “girl.” That shit gets crazy irritating but about halfway he realizes it too and drops it. Song sounds much better without it.

Baby (Rock Remix)
Featuring Richie Sambora
So, we get song 5 again in the 8 spot but it’s over a “rock” beat from Bon Jovi and has slightly different lyrics. Um, look, there is nothing rock about this track but the energy. It’s about as much rock as let’s get it started is. For some reason they line “Ya body’s a gun baby, pump me full of lead” stands out to me. My gawd, that’s pretty horrible. Take a guess how I feel about this song….yeah, SKIP.

Rockin’ With The G.O.A.T.
Produced by DJ Scratch
This was the warm up single and it fell off quickly. Probably because the beat is over and the hook/chanting that is done on this one is terrible. I think lyrically, it’s about average but that is the best compliment I can give this one.

This Is Ring Tone M…
Featuring Grandmaster Caz
Soon as I hear Caz over the speakers, I get hyped. We are blessed with more drum and bass on this one. It’s a banger of a beat, and yeah, it has that yeah yeah yeah or go go go chant going for it. Either way, I’m sold. “My bars are like a bullet, blow ya’ head right off/Hate on the trigga, pull it/Give ya mouth a night off./…I used the word off seven times in rhyme/You dumb enough to think I got a limited mind.” THAT is some of his hotness. How you flip it, predict the reaction, and attack them for that. The entire song is full of James Todd goin’ on the attack including, “You sounding like a girl with them sweet sixteen’s…/Run around talkin’ bout I’m twice your age/But I was rich at 17, you got some shit to explain.” Honestly, gotta hear this one. I think this is the hardest track on the album.

Like A Radio
Featuring & Produced by Ryan Leslie
Yep, another song for the ladies, and yes, you can tell this is a Ryan Leslie beat. I gotta commend LL for not going Leslie crazy though, the two tracks are MORE than enough for this album. The song is about average.

I Fall In Love
Featuring Elan of The D.E.Y.; Produced by Jonathan Rotem
I don’t like this Middle East influenced sound on this one. I don’t like the hook or the other singing. I don’t like the lyrics, and fuck it, SKIP.

Ur Only A Customer
Ok, so the track and song isn’t bad, it’s placed in a bad location. After that last song, you need something with a little more heat on it. This song is a little more of a groove track, even with a pretty bad hook. With talk of I got my mojo back, he spits “I’m the dog killin’ the cat, ignoring the jack/This is flawless rap, you can’t call this wack/Where the ballers at?/Go head and throw up a stack.” I don’t know about that one.

Mr. President
Featuring Wyclef Jean
Ok, Clef been ridin’ this “Mr. President” theme for about 3 years now, but that’s just an observation. He has sped up the tempo of the track but kept the singing in that same tone. I don’t know how I feel about the track itself. LL digs a little deeper on the subject matter and addresses the country and some issues there in.

American Girl
Hip-Hop taps the marching band and drumline once again, in what I guess is a response to Estelle’s “American Boy”. Some of the lines in this song are so, odd, that it comes off as satire. I have NO clue what his real goal is with this song. I don’t know if it is a tribute or a social commentary on the state of our made up, Barbie worshiping, Jessica Rabbit coveting society. I have no clue…really…I just don’t know what the fuck is going on with this song.

Speedin’ On Da Highway/Exit 13
Featuring Funkmaster Flex
The track isn’t ingenious but I do like it. The combination of some well done drums and an amped guitar are a good choice. The metaphor of the game to a highway isn’t bad or new in itself, but it does come off kind of corny coming from a 40 year old rapper. The addition of a SCREAMING, yes SCREAMING Flex serves to date any of us that remember when these guys first came on the scene. I have never heard his voice crack though…Damn.

Come & Party with Me
Featuring Fat Joe & Sheek Louch
Man look, LL is channeling 50 now, and it’s not a good look. I wouldn’t be shocked if 50 wrote this one bar by bar. The cadence of the flow and hook are all 50…thru LL. It’s pretty clear. I haven’t had a chance to say it, but I don’t dig Fat Joe’s music, however, he is a welcome reprieve on this song. Sheek comes through on this party track and provides the most substantial flow on the song.

We Rollin’
I don’t really wanna feeeeeel….oops, wrong song. Yeah, LL jacks Boss’ track and adds some layers but that bassline is the foundation for this track. LL taps into his pimp persona and steps in the booth. It’s not a bad song, just not what I’d expect from LL. Talk of his caddy, and spending time with the G.O.A.T…for the ladies of course.

Dear Hip Hop
Produced by StreetRunner
StreetRunner gives us another pretty cool track. Nice drum work and melody give us a smooth track for LL to close out the album. Now, he goes on and says that he’s tired of the money talk and bitches and hoes, but he just spoke the same way (sans bitches and hoes) on like 11 of the previous 18 tracks. I’m so confused. He is however open and honest about his music and it’s refreshing to hear that in the game. The song itself isn’t bad either.

Bottom Line:
I went into this review expecting to hear some heat. I debated all week with folks saying LL fell off, and was no good. I still will debate with them on that, but this album doesn’t back me up as well as I’d hoped. With all the interviews of him on the net saying how he had something for us, how he was going to check folks, how he turned down numerous movie roles to work on this album, it could have been much better. I will still say he is a Legend and I appreciated his honnesty about his rep even stating several times that he may have fell off, but he came right back. I will still claim him to be one of the best, but I think that LL has his own lane and he doesn’t need to conform to certain gimmicks to sell records. Give this man a DJ, an 808, and let him rip, then tell me what you think. This album is average, and it hurt to type that. I think he has some good elements but they are scattered thought the album.. Great track, bad hook, or dope lyrics and hook, bad track. He has proven that his fans will be there, to buy his albums, and they will all ride on through Exit 13…riding until the wheels fall off.

nappyPicks: “It’s Time For War”, “You Better Watch Me”, “Cry”, & “This Is Ringtone M…”

Download: LL Cool J – “You Better Watch Me”

MJG is already a legend in Hip-Hop, so not too much introduction is needed in that regard. However, his solo career has been much different from his group albums. You can think of 8Ball & MJG like Outkast, they are great together, but they do not seem right separated. MJG received some critical acclaim for his debut No More Glory back in 1997, but that was ‘97. Giving the public his third offering (second in roughly 3 months) titled This Might Be the Day, MJG got fans wondering can the vet still bring it like he used to. Let us check it out.

This Might Be the Day
Produced by TMacK
Well MJG gives you the title track right off the gate. I love the beat on this one, MJG comes out strong, but he stumbles a little on the intro. It still is worth a listen though.

Shades On My Face
Produced by TMacK
MJG raps about the shades on his face over a chopped up hook. This one is for the clubbers, which is why he selected it for his first single. It is all right, but why do I feel like MJG mailed this one in? “Shades keep my nerves at the right temperature; you can never make it rise like an impatoor?” What?

Breathe
Produced by TMacK
MJG raps over a synthy beat which he turns the tempo up a bit. The song takes a long time to come on, but when it comes on, MJG gives us a routine performance. There is a good chance that you will hear this at a Southern nightclub with its bouncy beat.

Can’t Get Rid of Me
Produced by TMacK
MJG goes with some spacey production on this particular song, and I cannot front, I like this song. The hook is fun, and MJG compares his self to Dracula and he says he will outlive roaches on the track! The song has a nice beat and MJG did his thing with it. CHECK FOR THIS!

Busted
Skit…nothing to report here, but a dude walking in on some dude laying pipe to his woman.

What Would You Do
Featuring 8Ball; Produced by TMacK
Now you would think that when Ball & G got together that they would do a song other than one about screwing someone else’s woman. Bad decision on their part, maybe they should have come with a “You Don’t Want Drama?”

Mack Life
Featuring & Produced by TMacK
The producer who produced 85% of the album jumps on this string laced beat that he provided. He did his thing on the song, stealing it from MJG. The song is all right, but the hook is kind of wack.

Jungle
Featuring GC; Produced by MJG
MJG produces what is the best beat so far on the album, giving us some of his Memphis flavor with some horns and a sample that gives it that funky sound that the ganja smokers will love. I have to say that MJG’s Gritty Comity came out hard on this song. BANGER!

Roll Wit’ Me
Produced by TMacK
Sounds like MJG is experiencing with that techno rap sound, and it does not work well on this track. MJG resorts to dumbing down his lyrical content on this one. Come on MJG quit making strip club music!

Gangsta Gangsta
Featuring Alfamega; Produced by TMacK
Alfamega has to be one of the more goonish dudes in the A. On this track, they give you exactly what the title states. Hard lyrics over a hard beat; that will be a song that will be banging out of your local trapper’s car in your city. BANG THIS ONE!

Dangerous
Featuring Gucci Mane and 8Ball; Produced by MJG
MJG produces another one, this time Gucci and 8Ball jump on the track this time. Once again, they make a song that is talking about women instead of taking advantage of Gucci’s “hood popularity.” Gucci murders the hook, and I mean that in a bad way. You can count on hearing this one bumping in the strip clubs.

Big Time
Featuring Slim; Produced by TMacK
MJG steps way out of his lane on this one! The production on this joint is bubble gum, and the crooning by Slim does not mesh well with MJG at all. I also do not like this one at all. I have to say SKIP!

It’s Been So Long
Featuring 8Ball; Produced by MJG
Finally, they make the right decision subject matter wise on their collabos. This song is the perfect way to end the album with Ball and G rapping over a nice beat that MJG created. The two rap about being on the road and the feeling when they come back home. Have to love the way the two mesh on this one. CHECK THIS OUT!

Bottom Line:
This album was solid, but I wish that MJG had dug a bit deeper in his rhyme bag, because his subject matter was on the one-dimensional side. He had some good production throughout the album, and everybody knows that when you get good production, average lyrics look a lot better. MJG had some interesting collabos on the album, and when he and 8Ball teamed up, the songs did not live up to the billing. MJG fans will be satisfied with this offering if they can get by all the songs about the women.

nappyPicks: “Can’t Get Rid of Me”, “Jungle”, “Gangsta Gangsta”, & “It’s Been So Long”

Download: MJG – “Can’t Get Rid of Me”

It’s funny. I never particularly liked Dipset but for some reason it seems like I’m always the one who gets stuck reviewing their albums (And believe me, those dudes stay putting out albums). But hey, you do what you must right? Hey, at least it an album from my favorite Dipset member, Hell Rell. I actually reviewed his debut album, For The Hell Of It, last year and although it wasn’t all that good, it still showed flashes of promise. To me, the thing that makes Ruga Rell stand out for other 2nd tier Diplomat members (Like 40 Cal, JR Writer, etc.), is his voice. He may style like Cam, Juelz, and Jimmy, but he don’t sound just like them. It the last few years, he’s also has gained a reputation of being one of the hardest rappers out. With all that said, let’s take a look at Rell’s sophomore outing, Black Mask Black Gloves (The Ruga Edition).

1. Intro (Black Gloves)
Produced by A. Raab Muzik
“I ran through thousands, I need a couple millions”. Ruga Rell gives you more of that gangster style he’s known for. I’ll give him that; on his last album he started out with a good intro also. The beat is something is you’d expect from a Dipset member.

2. Get Ready
Produced by A. Raab Muzik
The feeling of the track reminds me of something you would of heard in the early 2000’s; that not a bad thing. Over a heavy electric bass heavy track, Rell talks about ways he’ll get money; “I’m living by the mafia rules like Gotti would/I go broke do a sex tape with Megan Good/And sell it to Hollywood”. Funny, I would too.

3. Take An Oath
Produced by Manti
I guess it’s good to hear Rell talk about how money is not everything. Don’t think he didn’t cut the flossing talk though; “My birth certificate is a hundred dollar bill! My social security card is an ATM card!” He goes on the rap the not snitching rule and putting family and friends over everything else.

4. Think Of A Problem
Produced by A. Raab Muzik
This is Ruga at his best. Over a grimy New York beat, Hell Rell is materialistic and misogynistic as ever. But it’s a well done materialistic and misogynistic song. The hook is hard, the lyrics are hard,  and so is the track.

5. Come On Baby Girl
Produced by Hassiditty
With a title like “Come On Baby Girl”, you know this is a song for the ladies. The production sounds like something 9th Wonder would do. I think for Rell’s voice may be too pverpowering for the sample they use here also. When we get to the weak hook thought, that’s where he lost me at.

6. Realest Nigga Doin’ It
Produced by MGI
I don’t wanna sound like a broken record, but this sounds like something straight from Killa Season. Nothing really stands out here. I know more rap dudes lie about there reputations, but when you talk about shooting cops in the head or riding through the hood in a “’08 armor truck”, it gets to be a little much.

7. True Colors
Produced by Kajmir Royale
Erase my last statement abut the last track, this track sounds like something straight from Killa Season. But, with all my hating (Your words not mine), I can’t hate on the sample. It’s on some Rocky Balboa shit. One question though: Is every brother from Dipset a blood now? “Me and cash are like the Blues Brothers, but we play on the red team”. Just a question.

8. I Luv Stuntin’
Featuring Sen; Produced by Kajmir Royale
It’s funny; this song is supposed to be about stuntin’, but most of the verse is about fucking somebody up. The carnival beat is okay, but the song just has something missing. I could of done without the Max B impersonation on the hook though.

9. What Up
Featuring JR Writer; Produced by Hell Rell & Hassiditty
With all the questions surrounding the Dipset’s unity, I guess it’s good to have a collaboration with a member. Too bad the song is boring. The beat has a generic feel and the lyrics aren’t anything we haven’t heard before.

10. Push ‘Em Back
Produced by Goodwill & MGI
I guess this is Rell’s attempt at a club track…or maybe it’s an attempt to get ringtone sales. I swear if you combine “Lip Gloss”, the Beastie Boy’s “Paul Revere”, and dumb down lyrics, you’ll have what Hell Rell tried here, Not a good look at all.

11. Rumors
Produced by A. Raab Muzik
Just like JR Writer did earlier this year, Rell tries to clear the air about his crew’s current status. I applaud him for actually admitting that there was a problem. But at the end of the song though, you realize he really didn’t put any rumors to rest. The beat and the lyrics sounded kinda thrown together too.

12. Million Dollar Plan
Produced by Kajmir Royale
Hey, at least Rell didn’t end the album with an obligatory “I know I just killed a 100 niggas on this album but thank God for helping me make it” track. He sticks with what works for him and at the end he has a solid track. The horns on this one and the loop work well.

Bottom Line:
Hey, I won’t shit you here. Most of the Diplomats affiliated albums released in the last 2 years have not been groundbreaking and the same can be said about this album. Not saying it wasn’t good. Ruga Rell definitely had some good parts. The one problem here is that Rell has yet understand that the outstanding rappers rhyme about more that just guns, sex, and money. Rell has style, reputation, and talent. But until he stretches outside his comfort zone, he’ll never get past where he is now.

nappyPicks: “Get Ready”, “Think Of A Problem”, True Colors”, & “Million Dollar Plan”

Download: Hell Rell – “Think Of A Problem”