The DJ steered compilation album is nothing new in Hip-Hop. In recent years people like DJ Khaled and DJ Drama have held down this lane. Why can’t Kayslay get some love too? Well, it looks like after checking his Rolodex and calling in some favors (And getting some Straight Stuntin’ models for the album cover) Kayslay releases his official album More Than A DJ.

1. Intro
Featuring Busta Rhymes; Produced by DJ Scratch
Busta Rhymes comes in and helps Kayslay start off the album. DJ Scratch provides a beat that fits an intro track. Busta’s rambling flow, while not spectacular, does the job with one long verse and no hook.

2. Men Of Respect
Featuring Tony Yayo, Papoose, Lloyd Banks, Jim Jones, & Rell; Produced by Amadeus
It’s still weird seeing Tony Yayo & Lloyad Banks on a track with Jim Jones & Papoose. What’s even more weird is that I feel Yayo had the best most entertaining verse on the track; nothing quotable just better than his peers here. Actually, the beat is the real star. Without that the track would probably stay grounded. Plus Rell on the hook stalls thing s a bit.

3. Bad Girls
Featuring Jackie-O, Remy Ma, Hedonis Da’ Amazon, & Avanna Irish;Produced by Neo Da Matrix
Kayslay says he has “the best” women MC’s on this track. Naw. Sadly that title probably goes to whoever is featured on Ludacris’ upcoming Battle Of The Sexes. Aside from that track being average, Jackie-O sounded better that I previously heard her and the Remy Ma verse sounds a little dated too (She’s still in jail right?). The beat samples David Axelrod’s “The Smile” (Royce Da 5’9” used it on “Shake This”).

4. Blockstars
Featuring Yo Gotti, Jim Jones, Busta Rhymes, & Ray J; Produced by Street Radio
Most of the time if I see Ray J’s name on a song I immediately hit the skip button, but I got to give the track an honest listen right? It’s boring. I give props for putting a different mix of rappers together but there is energy and cohesiveness here. Plus the Ray J feature ain’t helping (Sorry, I tried).

5. Monster Muzik
Featuring Cam’ron & Vado; Produced by AraabMUZIK
With KIlla & Vado on a AraabMUZIK track, you’d think this a leftover track off of Boss Of All Bosses. Naw, but it could fit there with no problem. I personally am not feeling Cam’s music as of late, but if you do you’ll like this: “They had to hated/Agitated/Cash related/I tell you bitch grab my dick/Huh now mastibate it”. Meh…

6. Layed Out
Featuring Bun B, Twista, Papoose, Dorrough, Young Chris, & Jay Rock; Produced by Sparkz Tha Trakman
Another eclectic mix of rappers here. This time if works better seeing that the talent is raised. The hard hitting beat provided by Sparks Tha Trakman could be a soundtrack to getting knocked out to in the club. Papoose does a good Twista impersonation too. Good track.

7. Gangsta Shit
Featuring OJ Da Juiceman, Papoose, & Yo Gotti; Produced Zaytoven
Holy shit! OJ fucked this beat up! No, I not saying he killed it in a good way. I mean he messed up a beat and a song that had potential. Why give him the first verse? Papoose and Yo Gotti are not talented enough to save it after that. If I was Zaytoven I’d double dip resell this shit to another rapper.

8. Straight Stuntin’ Magazine Photoshoot (Skit)
Featuring Bianca Simmone
Ha! I thought this was gonna be a sex skit with how it started out. It’s actually Straight Stuntin’ model Bianca Simmone trying to prove she can sing. Okay. Blame Lola Monroe for this.

9. Let’s Ryde Together
Featuring Trick Trick, M.O.P., Trae Tha Truth, & Tre Williams; Produced by The Alchemist
It seems Kay wanted to get all the MC’s who will most likely rob you all on the same track. Okay then why put this Eddie Kane Jr. sounding hook on it (And I think Tre Williams is talented). Is it about a relationship? Is it about riding out? Lack of direction takes this song down a few notches.

10. Thug Luv
Featuring Maino, Papoose, Red Cafe, & Ray J; Produced by Statiq & Denaun Porter
Most of the time if you sample Luther Vandross you’ll win; it works here too (Especially using “Don’t You Know That”). All the rappers involved fit bill, keep in on topic, and turn in good verses (According to Maino he’ll beat a bitch!). Did Kayslay just book Ray J for one day and have him do as many hooks as possible? Check out the music video here.

11. Building With The God (Skit)
Featuring Popa Wu
Pop Wu dropping gems…in front of a stadium crowd?

12. See The Light
Featuring AZ, Raekwon, & Ghostface; Produced Sean C & LV
Best. Song. On. The. Album.
From the beat, the parings of AZ, The Chef, & Starks; this all makes sense. This is also the first track that made me look forward to More Than Just A DJ. The Sean C & LV production here stands out as it mixes all of the styles involved. Be sure to check this one out.

13. Hustle Game
Featuring Bun B, Webbie, Lil’ Boosie, & Nicole Wray; Produced by The Alchemist
Yea, the combination of Alchemist with Webbie and Boosie had me scratching my head too. But the results weren’t bad at all; it’s actually good to here the Trill Entertainment boys over a beat like this (Boosie probably had the best verse). Not bad at all (Reminds me of the P$C/Alchemist joint).

14. God Forgive Me
Featuring Joell Ortiz, Jae Millz, & Saigon; Produced by DJ Infamous
This track changes up the mood and goes more introspective. It may seem boring to some but you need tracks like this on this album. Okay, it is kinda boring but it’s not bad. You may need to give this a personal listen to make your own judgment.

15. Kay Slayed ‘Em
Featuring Uncle Murda, Mistah FAB, & Grafh; Produced by Drew Correa
This track is based of the Kanye line “Cause after all of the drama, K slayed ‘em” from “Can’t Tell Me Nothing (remix)” (It switches up during the hook and verse). Nobody “slays” the track (Uncle Murda shines though) but it’s still a run of the mill track.

16. Make The Block Hot
Featuring Nina B, Mike Beck, KI Grip, Lucky Don, GI, & Nutso; Produced by Drew Correa & Laurent “Slick” Cohen
I think this “new cats” that’s on almost every Hip-Hop DJ compilation. I have heard of Mick Beck; he was the rapper (From the group K.A.R.) who was shot and killed last year. Even though the song is forgettable it was a good nod having him feature him.

17. You Heard Of Us (remix)
Featuring Sheek Louch, Styles P, & Ray J; Produced by Swiff D
Another Ray J chorus? Mix that with 2/3 of the LOX that doesn’t feature Jadakiss and the results are awkward (Did Brandy’s brother say he would bust a nigga’s head?). Not to completely write off this, I like Styles verses plus the sample is recognizable. The feeling of the track just doesn’t mesh well (The video has the same feeling too).

18. Street Credibility
Featuring San Quinn, Big Rich & Hood Stars; Produced by Swiff D
Bay Area is in the house on this track. It’s good that Kay is giving room for the Yay to shine, but I’m surprised the placing of this track; it kinda doesn’t fit here. But hey, even though I barely recognize the names here, the hometown love track is okay. The hook? Not so much.

19. Blockstars (remix)
Featuring Busta Rhymes, Sheek Louch, Rick Ross, Papoose, Cam’ron, Vado & Ray J; Produced by Street Radio
Same beat with added verses doesn’t really change my thoughts of the song. Check for the Ross verse though.

20. Building with the God Pt. 2 (Outro)
Featuring Popa Wu
Popa Wu closes it out.

Bottom Line:
The main problem with this album is that it follows the DJ compilation directions but not very well. It has a varied cast that’s not really all-star caliber. It has some notable names for production but not enough a-list work. While there are brief moments that show promise, in the end the product feels unpolished. Good thing Kayslay has a magazine & radio shows to fall back on. Hey, I guess he is more that a DJ.

nappyPicks: “Men Of Respect”, “See The Light”, “Thug Luv”, “Hustle Game”

Download: DJ Kayslay feat. Tony Yayo, Papoose, Lloyd Banks, Jim Jones, & Rell – “Men Of Respect”
Download: DJ Kayslay feat. AZ, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah – “See The Light”

I didn’t think we’d end up reviewing this one since it’s not technically Hip-Hop; Plus most of you have had this album for the past couple of months anyway (Shout out to Amazon!). But we all love Weezy over here, so we figured why not. Lil’ Wayne has been pulling out the guitar like crazy right around the time C3 came out; now he’s here to prove that he can actually play it. Well, kind of. Most of the instrumentals on the album come from other producers with Weezy playing on a few songs. Let’s see if Rebirth was really worth waiting for.

American Star
Featuring Shanell; Produced by DJ Infamous
Lil’ Wayne jumps on an epic guitar intro, Auto-Tuning as usual. I don’t know how I feel about this one: Part of me thinks he’d sound a lot better if he left the Auto-Tune alone and actually tried to sing a little bit. The Auto-Tune/guitar combo doesn’t really work too well to me. Shanell makes the hook really hot (“Dope-boy with a guitar!”) and the track works very well, courtesy of DJ Infamous. The track kind of falters towards the end where Weezy pretty much loses control and starts yelling with the Auto-Tune. Overall, OK song.

Prom Queen
Featuring Shanell, Produced by DJ Infamous & Drew Correa
This was the first single off the album. This was the song that had even King Jerm questioning what the fuck Weezy was thinking. It must have aged well, because I kind of dig it now. I said KIND OF. Tt still has some of the stupidest lines I have ever heard (“I love her fancy underwear…”), but overall I think it’s an OK song. This is an example of a song where Auto-Tune actually works with rock, which makes it a notable song on the album.

Ground Zero
Produced by Patrick Stump
This is one of those songs that I really wanted to like, but it got good way too late into the song. The lyrics don’t mean much until the end of the song; Where society is going and how it seems like we’ve reached ground zero. It sounds really good, except for the hook which sounds like it was thrown together at the very last minute. Other than that, another OK song; nothing too notable.

Da Da Da
Produced by Cool & Dre
I gotta give Weezy props on this one; he did it here. The first of the song had me scratching my head, mainly because he cranked the Auto-Tune up so damn much I couldn’t hear anything he was saying. The hook seems lazy at first, but it gets to be catchy when combined with yet another flawless Cool and Dre production. Check for Weezy’s last verse on the song and you can’t tell me you can’t wait for C4. Plus, he actually plays an instrument on this song: the bass, which has its own solo in this song. First song off the album I co-sign fully.

Paradice
Produced by Kevin Rudolf
Kevin Rudolf of “Let it Rock” fame made the beat behind this one. I like the message of this one (Live your life, the price of fame, etc.).  Still, can’t get behind this musically. SKIP!

Get A Life
Produced by Tha Bizness
This sounds like Jonas Brothers…I’m not lying. Well, Jonas Brothers with f-bombs. I feel like they locked Weezy in a room full of syrup, weed, and various other drugs with Auto-Tune, and this song came out of it. SKIP!!

On Fire
Produced by Cool & Dre
Alright, I’m not gonna lie and say this song isn’t hot when it is. Cool & Dre production on this one sounds right at home. Wayne sounds a lot better on this track just straight up spittin’ rather than the auto-tune tracks he was trying to put together previously. Also gotta give Weezy props for the guitar solo at the end of the song, despite the fact that it was 2, maybe 3 chords at most. I’m surprised this didn’t make more of a splash on the Hot 100. Good track.

Drop The World
Featuring Eminem; Produced by Hit-Boy & Chase N. Cashe
I don’t think I have to say much here. Only thing I wish is that he would’ve saved this track for Tha Carter 4. The obvious stand-out track from the album, nothing else on here compares. Eminem blazes his 16 on this one:

“I came up from behind and pretty much snuck up
And butt fucked this game up
Better be careful when you bring my name up
Fuck this fame, that ain’t what/I came to claim
But the game ain’t gonna be the same on the day that I leave it
But I swear one way or another I’m a make these fuckin’ haters believe it”

This will be in my Top 5 songs of 2010, believe that.

Runnin’
Featuring  Shanell; Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
This another song I really liked off this album. It proves that Weezy needs to leave the singing to singers and just keep on rapping. Shanell does an excellent job with the hook on this song, providing some much needed emotion that was lacking on a couple of the previous tracks. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League is great here and gives something Weezy can actually flow pretty well over.

One Way Trip
Featuring Kevin Rudolf; Produced by Travis Barker
Travis Barker brought the drums with him on this one and Kevin Rudolf with the guitar definitely completed the song. The drums allow Weezy to let loose lyrically and let Rudolf take care of the chorus, which makes the song one of the highlights of the album. It sounds like at the point in the album Weezy realized he’s a better rapper than he is a guitarist.

Knockout
Featuring Nicki Minaj; Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Another great 90’s sounding guitar riff courtesy of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. Nicki Minaj isn’t as much singing as she is talking, but her voice sounds nice over the slower riff the song goes into for the hook. She also gets to spit a little bit with the Auto-Tune, which sounds lil’ fucked up, but it goes with the whole punk-rock thing that the song’s got going on. This sounds really similar to Jonas Brothers/Nickelodeon but it works here for some reason. Good song.

The Price is Wrong
Produced by Chase N. Cashe
Yeah, I’m not feeling this one at all…SKIP!!

Bottom Line:
Let’s be honest with ourselves: While some of us can applaud Lil’ Wayne for trying something a little different, I don’t think any of us can say that this was a good album. I’m probably only going to keep about 3 or 4 of these tracks on my PSP. I feel like if Weezy had dropped this album riding off the buzz of Tha Carter 3, this would have been a huge success, good music or not. But it’s on track to only sell 150K it’s first week, a far cry from “A Milli”. Because this album came out almost 2 years after C3, your fans are gonna expect a real album, not an experiment gone wrong. I just hope that after this Weezy drops the guitar for good and continues to show us why he’s known as one of the best rappers alive.

nappyPicks: “Drop the World”, “Knockout”, “Da Da Da”, “One Way Trip”

Download: Lil’ Wayne feat. Gudda – “Fuck Today (Rebirth Mix)” [NOT ON ALBUM]
Download: Lil’ Wayne feat. Nicki Minaj – “Knockout”

After over a year of delays, B.G. finally returns with his 11th album Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood. While I’m happy to see B.G. back on the game, it’s a bittersweet return for the New Orleans veteran.

You can immediately tell that this is a step up from his previous recent efforts like The Heart Of Tha Streetz, Vol. 1-2. On the album he has features like T.I., Lil’ Boosie and even an (almost) reunion of the Hot Boys with Juvenile and Lil’ Wayne on the same track. The production side is the same too. Notable names like Scott Storch, Cool & Dre, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, and even New Orleans Hip-Hop greats KLC and Mannie Fresh all show up here to get behind the boards.

But we all know execution is very important and this where B.G. slips. While the tracks like the Soulja Slim, C-Murder & Lil’ Boosie featured “Nigga Owe Me Some Money” work in some ways other features like the T.I. assisted “4 A Minute” (Who only does a bridge at the end) end up sounding forced. The Weezy, Juve, Trey Songz featured song “Ya Heard Me” looks good on paper but the lack of chemistry won’t have you looking forward to the speculated Hot Boys reunion album anytime soon.

Songs also tend to sound very similar in name and production (See: “Fuckin’ U Right” & “Fuck Thang”). It even gets worse when he tries to recreate one of his biggest hits with “Chopper City Is An Army”.

There are still some bright spots here. Songs like “Hit The Block & Roll” and “Like Yeah” (Where he raps about popping pills while even acknowledging his past drug addiction) make you remember why people check for B.G. in the first place.

Bottom Line:
If you a hardcore fan B.G. or even New Orleans style Hip-Hop I won’t need to tell you to grab Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood. If you’re not familiar with B-Gizzle’s music, you may need to go back to older albums to get the full effect and a better introduction.

nappyPicks: “Hit The Block & Roll”, “Like Yeah”, “Back To The Money”

Download: B.G. feat. Soulja Slim, C-Murder, & Lil’ Boosie – “Nigga Owe Me Some Money”
Download: B.G. – “Like Yeah”
Download: B.G. feat. Lil’ Wayne, Juvenile, & Trey Songz – “Ya Heard Me”

OK, so you know The Black Keys right…exactly. That’s why this is a FFWD and not a track by track. I’m vaguely familiar with them, but Blues Rock doesn’t appear to be high on the radar for you, our nappyafro readers. Now, if we’re wrong, please comment and let us know you are checking for this and other genres of music.

Anyway, that aside, I was kinda amped for this album. With Dame Dash being involved and the list of talent to grace the album (Luda, Mos Def, RZA, Pharoahe Monche, Raekwon, Q-Tip, and Nicole Wray to name a few) I figured this one was a no brainer. I like Black Keys alright, and Rock n Rap is usually pretty cool, so bring it on. It sounds like what it is, very experimental. It’s not a bad album, but you really have to be open to the sound. This isn’t your Roots playing behind Thought, this is Rock music with folks rapping/singing over it. There are some moments on this album where it really seems to come together like “Stay Off the Fuckin’ Flowers” featuring Raekwon, but unfortunately, those moments are the background to what seems to be largely just something new.

Bottom Line:
Don’t let the names fool you, this is really a Rock album. The sound is amazing, you can hear every instrument played, but the songs and sound are really much larger than the artists vocals and steal the show on almost every song. Not only that, outside of Mos Def (shout out to The Ecstatic) and Rae, everyone else sounds kind of forced. I’m interested in hearing how this unfolds if they continue to play with this project.

Download: The Black Keys feat. Raekwon – “Stay Off the Fuckin’ Flowers”
Download: The Black Keys feat. Billy Danze of M.O.P., Q-Tip, & Nicole Wray – “Hope You’re Happy”

The respect for Bryan “Birdman” Williams has always been mixed. While he will always be applauded for building his New Orleans based Cash Money Records from nothing (With his brother Slim), his music abilities have always been called into question. Personally, I think this isn’t exactly true. Yes, most of the time when a featured verse of Birdman comes up, I’m usually not checking for it. But to say Baby never spit anything notable is a false (Example: “#1 Stunna”, His verse on “Playa Why You Hatin’”, “What Happened To That Boy”). Of course these moments are rare but they exist.

In the past Birdman’s album have received modest success. Nothing really mind blowing in terms of material, but what do expect from a self proclaimed “game spitter”. Now Stunna is releasing his 4th album Pricele$$. And yes, it once again heavily features his son Lil’ Wayne. And yes, Drake makes a few appearances too. Does this make Pircele$$ worth your precious time? Let’s see.

1. Intro
Produced by T-Minus
On the albums intro, Birdman goes into the usual: He’s from uptown, his youngn’ wears the crown, shouts out to Cash Money/Young Money, and throw in some bird calls for good measure. Besides that, the beat is nice and has a big feel to it. Lyrics? Uh, “The pussy wet so the pussy got a new plug”. *Shrugs*

2. Been About Money
Produced by I.N.F.O.
The one thing that jumps out on this track is that it used a Birdman sample as the hook (“Been about big money. B-b-big money”). Don’t ask me where the sample is from (It’s “Youn Ain’t Know”. Thanks Pitbull) . I also don’t have to tell you what Baby’s topic here: “Keep some extra clips/Keep some extra diamonds/Keep some new whips”. The beat is slow and what you’d expect from Stunna (It even has bird calls in the background. Get used to that…). Average track.

3. Money To Blow
Featuring Drake & Lil’ Wayne; Produced by Drumma Boy
Banger. Yea, I said it. Drake kills this one from his verse to the hook (Wasn’t this his song first?). The Drumma Boy beat is strip club ready for sure and even Weezy comes to do cleanup on the last verse and states the know infamous Young Money/Cash Money strategy (“And we gonna be alright if we put Drake on every hook”). The weak link of course is Birdman. But it can be overlooked here.

4. Money Machine
Produced by Howard “X-Fyle” Metoyer
This one is similar to the previous “Been About Money” as it also used a Cash Money sample for the hook. This time is uses Wayne’s “Bitch I paid/Is all I gotta say” (I think it’s from “Pop Bottles” “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy” (c) Pitbull). At first I was getting ready to write this song off until it got to the halfway mark and the beat changes up. Then shit gets kinda live. Plus Birdman sounds okay here too; “The motor change nigga/So the watch with the meter/Catier face every time that I see her”. Standout.

5. Pricele$$
Featuring Lil’ Wayne; Produced by Jim Jonsin
This wouldn’t surprise me if this was from a Rebirth session seeing that on the hook Weezy is doing his Rock/Auto-Tune thing. I guess it fits because the beat is definitely Rock & Roll inspired. But for some reason, the mix of this and Birdman uninspired lyrics don’t match up (“Keep a bad bitch and put the diamonds on my teeth/Presidential suites/Rumors bout me”).

6. Bring It Back
Featuring Lil’ Wayne; Produced by Laurent “Slick” Cohen
This may have been better if they would have put more room between it and the previous track. They’re both similar. Wayne’s just on the hook again (Again with Auto-Tune). Whatever spark this track had was shot down with Baby’s lazy rhymes: “Flip another hundred/Get another hundred/Spend another hundred/Burn another hundred/Fuck another hundred”. This track will make you feel as bored as Stunna sounds.

7. Nightclub
Produced by Howard “X-Fyle” Metoyer
For a track called “Nightclub”, this track is surprisingly slow. Actually it’s kinda lackluster. The piano heavy production and Birdman lyrics gets that way after the first few lines. It’s not a skip but don’t play this while heading to the nightclub unless you don’t want energy. Ehh…

8. 4 My Town (Play Ball)
Featuring Drake & Lil’ Wayne; Produced Boi-1da
Almost the same formula as “Money To Blow” and while not as successful, it’s a pickup from the previous song. I wasn’t in love with the beat but it works. This is not one to look for Birdman but Weezy does have the line of the song; “I’m a big smoker/I’m a little drinker/The peace sign is just a trigger with a middle finger”. You may have already heard Drizzy verse as it had been chopped up as used by a few rappers already (Soulja Boy for example).

9. Hustle
Featuring Gudda Gudda & Lil’ Wayne; Produced by Drew Correa
The hook on this takes this one out before it even really gets started. Of course it’s Weezy on the Auto-Tune but that’s not really it; it’s just not executed well for this beat and sounds like a freestyle. Gudda does okay (Sidenote: I just realized he was from Sqad Up). As for Stunna, uh, you know what to expect.

10. Shinin’
Featuring & Produced by T-Pain
T-Pain comes through and does double duty. But Teddy doesn’t bring his A-game (Would you?). The beat sounds like it may be just a placeholder and would worked for almost any rapper with it 808’s and what not. But sense it’s Birdman, he can’t really take the song to the next level (Or the first level). Generic track. If you already heard “Got Money” by T-Pain and Weezy, you’ve already heard a better version of this.

11. Mo Milli
Featuring Drake & Bun B; Produced Boi-1da
Dang, Stunna gets Drizzy to help out for a third time. Actually, its just Birdman rapping first and standing back as Drake and Bun (Who wasn’t on the early version of this song) do their thing. The nicely done beat by Boi-1da sounds like a mixture of Houston and “A Milli”. By the way, is this a sequel to “A Milli”? Check this song out for the Bun B and Drake verses.

12. I Want It All
Featuring Kevin Rudolf & Lil’ Wayne; Produced by Kevin Rudolf
I always wondered why Cash Money signed rocker Kevin Rudolf. I hope it wasn’t to collaborate with Birdman and do his hooks, because they don’t mix well. The whole techno sound here doesn’t work either. Wayne shows up and leaves fast too. Nah.

13. Always Strapped
Featuring Lil’ Wayne & Mack Maine; Produced by Mr. Beatz & Lil’ C
By now I hoped you heard this track. I’m surprised they this version instead of the original (Which just featured Birdman & Wayne) or even the remix with Rick Ross & Jeezy. The beat is still hard on this one and Mack Mane’s “I fuck over you like I’m sexing on a top bunk” line is always cool. Worth another listen.

Bottom Line:
Another Birdman album in the books and to me it’s what it’s always been. You look at the album and basically check for the Wayne features (Now add Drake to that list too) and almost skip everything else (Stunna solo on “Money Machine” was good though). I think one thing that really is shown here is Birdman inability to do a whole album. His rhymes are repetitive as is his subject matter to take. Then again, if you are buying this album, you probably don’t care about that. If you like Birdman’s previous efforts, this one will fit right in. If you just looking for the features, you probably should just get those track and move on.

nappyPicks: “Money To Blow”, “Money Machine”, “4 My Town (Play Ball)”, “Mo Milli”, “Always Strapped (remix)”

Download: Birdman – “MP” (Bonus Track)
Download: Birdman feat. Gucci Mane – “Ball Til Ya Fall” (Bonus Track)
Download: Birdman feat. Nicki Minja & Lil’ Kim – “Grindin’ Making Money” (Bonus Track)
Download: Birdman feat. Jay Sean, Flo Rida & Mack Maine – “Written On Her (remix)” (Bonus Track)
Download: Birdman feat. Rick Ross, Lil’ Wayne, & Mack Maine – “Southside (remix)” (Bonus Track)

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 feat. 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. feat. 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 feat. 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 feat. 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)”