Straight outta the suburbs of Morrisville, Pennsylvania comes Asher Paul Roth. A great white hype? Naw, we already got Marshall Mathers for that title. Not to say that Asher Roth doesn’t owe Eminem some thanks. He’s been a called a less psychopathic and safer version of Slim Shady. Backed by a hit single (“I Love College”) and industry buzz (The DJ Drama co-signed mixtape The Greenhouse Effect & an XXL cover), Asher Roth may be positioning to Hip-Hop’s next big …uh, white thing. Let’s see if his debut, Asleep In The Bread Aisle, lives up to expectations.

1. Lark On My Go-Cart
Produced by Oren Yoel & David Appelton
Asher starts the album off strong. The beat is kinda quirky but it works very well and like what first tracks off debut albums should do, it introduces the artist to the listeners. Asher doesn’t get out shined by the beats though; he does his thing too: “Poor metaphor, pedicure, get you feet fixed/Walk in my shoes for a few you gone need it.”

2. Blunt Crusin’
Produced by Oren Yoel
The title accurately describes the subject matter; it’s Asher and company riding around and smoking out. The track’s tempo and Roth’s lyrical style are slower than the previous and almost throws you off. The song is okay. It may appeal more if you listening and doing the same as it states. I’m so-so about this one.

3. I Love College
Produced by Mike Caren & Ben Allen
Yeah, this is the one most people have heard. The song may be about smoking weed, keg stands, and double bagging it, but you can’t deny how appealing it is. From the sing-along hook to the call & response of “Do something crazy! Do something crazy”, this song was made to be a college party anthem. The collegiate theme didn’t stop rappers like Jim Jones, Chamillionaire, and Bun-B from jumping on their own versions of “I Love College”. I’m still wondering did I like it better with the Weezer sample as it had on the original version.

4. La Di Da
Produced by Don Cannon
Cannon! I’ll admit when I saw Don Cannon was producing this track, I was expecting him to provide something for Asher to go hard on (Pause). But this is nice also. Instead we get Asher rapping about persevering in the face of adversity and his rise to rap stardom (Including when he auditioned for Jay-Z). The message is good, the beat is cool, but it does sometimes come off as after school special. Still a good listen.

5. Be By Myself
Featuring Cee-Lo; Produced by Oren Yoel
I can immediately tell why Cee-Lo was featured on this song; this song reminds me of something that would have been on Gnarls Barkley’s last album. The whole song has Asher rapping about how he doesn’t really want nor need a girlfriend at this time in his life. The track is well produced and Cee-Lo does his thing on the hook, but Asher doesn’t deliver any bars worth mentioning. It’s an average track.

6. She Don’t Wanna Man
Featuring Keri Hilson; Produced by Oren Yoel
Who idea was it to put Asher Roth and Keri Hilson together? To me it just doesn’t fit. I guess this the flip side of “Be By Myself”; this time the girl doesn’t want a relationship. You can tell they went for club/radio play here. That’s works sometimes just not here.

7. Sour Patch Kids
Produced by Oren Yoel
Here Asher tackles serious issues such as poverty and the environment. I feel his message but here Asher shows some weaknesses in his flow; it gets dull (“Donate your dollars, raise a dollar, help a mother, save a father”). Sometimes it’s not what you say it but how you say it. He sounded better talking about bongs.

8. As I Em
Featuring Chester French; Produced by Oren Yoel & David Appleton
Hey, you gotta applaud Asher Roth for attacking this issue head on. He does sound a lot like Eminem. But Roth does break down the issue and admits that the two rappers do have “similar voice inflection” as well the high bar than Eminem has set for white rappers. It’s a well thought out song that help gets Asher’s point across.

9. Lion’s Roar
Featuring Busta Rhymes & New Kingdom; Produced by Oren Yoel
Asher gets Busta to talk about sexual prowess while Oren Yoel comes through once again and drops another good production. The song as a whole is good and Busta kills the cameo with the fast flow. That’s all I really have for this track. Side note: New Kindom is Orel Yoel’s band.

10. Bad Day
Featuring Jazze Pha; Produced by Oren Yoel & David Appleton
I was so happy when I found out that Jazze Pha didn’t produced this track; that would have been horrible. This song shows Asher’s strength in storytelling and he tells a tale about what else, a bad day. It’s not Slick Rick but it’s funny. Oh yea, he sounds a lot like a young Eminem on this song.

11. His Dream
Featuring Miguel; Produced by Oren Yoel
This is another track that has Asher storytelling. Then again, I don’t know if this song is about his father or some random 56 year old man. (*Listens to it again*) Okay, I’m now sure it’s about his father. For some reasons this song reminds me of Lupe Fiasco’s “He Say, She Say”. It’s also a heartfelt dedication to his father.

12. Fallin’
Produced by Nottz & Novel
Powered by a Ben Kweller sample, this track has Asher explaining his relationship with Hip-Hop and how it came to be. It’s not a bad song, just another average one. The use of the sample here can get boring though.

13. Perfectionist
Featuring Beanie Sigel & Rock City; Produced by Oren Yoel
I already talked about this track previously here. It probably should have been a regular instead of a bonus track.

Bottom Line:
Okay, let’s just attack the elephant in the room. Asher does in fact sound a lot like Eminem. It’s really no getting around it (Asher even admits it himself). It will take a lot for people to put that to the side and look at him without the comparisons. If they do that, they’ll find a fun and well put together album. The production on the album didn’t feel out of place and all the tracks fit together nicely. While it is Asher Roth’s debut, it’s also a coming out party for producer Oren Yoel. But I also feel like Asher may have been rushed. Like, he needed time to grow before making an album. In all honestly, I’ll probably keep 4 tracks off the album. Not because the rest of it is not good, just not memorable (Or maybe just not for me). But hey, that’s not saying I’m not looking forward to more music by Asher; dude still can rhyme.

nappyPicks: “Lark On My Go-Cart”, “I Love College”, “La Di Da”, & “Perfectionist”

Download: Asher Roth – “La Di Da”

Bonus: Asher Roth feat. Slick Rick – “Y.O.U.” (UK Bonus Track)

It’s Jadakiss. I don’t need to give you a big build up to this review. A lot of folks have Jada in their top 10 lists and about the same amount of folks put him in the “talented but” category. On the heels of one of the hottest mixtapes, Jada drops the last in his Kiss trilogy. Let’s get it in.

1. Pain & Torture
Produced by Buckwild
You can lead the troops with this battle themed track. Buckwild goes hard on this track and gives us some mean instrumental drama here. Jada…look….”Me vs. any rapper is slaughter”. Jada is doing his thing on this one, and if this is any indication of the rest of the album, I don’t know if I can disprove that statement.

2. Can’t Stop Me
Featuring Ayanna Irish; Produced by Neo Da Matrix
Familiarity doesn’t always breed contempt, this one being all Ruff Rider’d out. Neo provides a head nod for Jada to lyrically step to, and he does a great job. Ayanna’s vocals do well, but I think it may be overused on this track, but this is still a good song.

3. Who’s Real
Featuring Swizz Beatz & OJ Da Juiceman; Produced by Swizz Beatz & The Individualz
No surprise about how this one sounds….it’s Swizzy with horns, clap, and chant, all in tow. Why is OJ on here though? Not feeling his verse at all…it doesn’t even fit the song. Jada doesn’t falter though, “We ain’t hustlin’ no more we doin’ gymnastics/couple’a flips then stash it, bastid”.

4. Grind Hard
Featuring Mary J. Bilge; Produced by The Inkredibles
This will probably be the next single unless “Smoking Gun” is, more on that later. Typically, I don’t get down with Mary J. singing the hooks, it’s so cliché nowadays with everyone trying to catch that feel from “All I Need” with Method man…but I can’t front on this song. The Inkredibles hit us with an anthem style beat and Mary laces the hook on this one. Jada, seemingly unstoppable at this point, does his thizzle once again.

5. Something Else
Featuring Young Jeezy; Produced by Don Cannon
Damn Cannon, this track is nice. So far it seems like this roster of producers is serving the purpose. I don’t really dig Jeezy’s flow, but the lyrics weren’t bad. This is another dope song on the album.

6. One More Step
Featuring Styles P; Produced by Poobs
The track is simple, but Hip-Hop personified. Very minimalist, but the little things and the layering make this track pretty catchy. Styles and Jada trade bars in this lyrical tango and handle business.

7. Stress Ya
Featuring Pharrell; Produced by The Neptunes
No shock, I don’t think Jada has done an album without at least one Neptunes song. I don’t think this one is nearly as successful as the last collab from Kiss of Death, matter of fact….I don’t like this one at all. Jada’s lyrics keep this one from being skipped.

8. What If
Featuring Nas; Produced by Chophouse
We get a decent track for this one; Chophouse does ok. I think some songs are better left alone. This is basically “Why Pt. 2”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad song at all, but it doesn’t move me. I think the hardest line from the song is “What if Peyton was fighting dogs instead of Mike Vick”.

9. Things I’ve Been Through
Produced by Mr. Devine
SON. They got Loofah (Luther Vandross) singing on a Jada song. This sample and simple loop job is fantastic. Kudos to Mr. Devine. Just like the song says, Jada gives us some storytelling on his-story in the game. This is one of my favorite songs on the album.

10. I Tried
Featuring Avery Storm; Produced by Baby Grand
Normally, I don’t rock with extra synth tracks but Baby Grand laces us with a pretty good one this time. Per usual, Jada melts this track verbally. I’m not such a big fan of Avery Storm on this track. I think he could have used a different singer here.

11. Rocking With The Best
Featuring Pharrell & Bobby Valentino; Produced by The Neptunes
I’m trying to be open, but I don’t have a natural aversion to Neptune tracks…just happens that a lot of the tracksI end up not feeling are made by them. This one is boring to me from tracks to lyrics. I think I will delete this song from the iPod. SKIP.

12. Smoking Gun
Featuring Jazmine Sullivan; Produced by Denaun Porter
As I mentioned before, this may be the next single….should at least be up for consideration. The story is one that is all too familiar in our community, abuse and the issue of our lost young black girls. The track reminds me of “Where Is The Love” by Black Eyed Peas and has the same operatic sensibilities in it. Jasmine, my boo, blesses the hook and I wonder how she would have sounded in Mary J. Blige’s place earlier in the album. This is another one of my faves on the album.

13. Cartel Gathering
Featuring Ghostface Killah and Raekwon; Produced by Swiv B & DJ Eddie F
DJ Eddie F has been in the game damn near since there has been a game to get into, and he’s still good. I don’t have to go into too much detail outside of that. This shit is pure heat and one of my favorite Hip-Hop songs this year.

14. Come & Get Me
Featuring Sheek Louch and S.I.; Produced by Neenyo
From track to verses, this is probably the grimiest song on the album. Sheek & Jada keep it dark and murky on this one, but alas, the hook is TERRIBLE. I’d rather there was no hook, just music. The song is otherwise, dope as hell. It doesn’t fit the album at all though.

15. By My Side
Featuring Ne-Yo; Produced by Eric Hudson
You can try and deny this track if you want, but some radio friendly/ready tracks are actually good, and this is one of them. Ne-Yo & Jadakiss are at their best on this offering. I really dig this one and can see some real commercial appeal for this song as well.

16. Letter To B.I.G.
Featuring Faith Evans; Produced by Needlz
We’ve all heard this song, no need to go into detail. This is another solid song from Jada.

17. Something Else (remix)
Featuring Young Jeezy, Snype Life, Bully, AP, Boo Rossini, & Blood Raw; Produced by Don Cannon
I thought when you do a remix, there should be something different. There are a lot of rappers I don’t know and that are, at sometimes, indistinguishable. It’s essentially the original with a few more bars. This could have been left off the album.

18. Death Wish
Featuring Lil’ Wayne; Produced by Alchemist
Another darker, grittier track for the album, this one is produced by Alchemist. I’m not in love with it, but it’s not bad, just not my thing. You know how Jada does, but Weezy…I don’t have a CLUE what he was talking about on this one. I’ve always said that 90% of Wayne’s appeal is his delivery. As far as I can tell on this one, he proved me right…he didn’t say anything, but it sounded like he was.

Bottom Line:
The main criticism about Jada is his ability to make an album. This is a business, so as much as we’d like to see him get a grip of Premier tracks and sit down and go at it, he has to sell music to eat, and the majority of us that want to hear that kind of album, don’t buy albums. So, you get some radio songs, the required song to the ladies, the cameos, etc. My issue with this is that some of these cameos are useless or could be greatly improved. Lyrically, he stands his ground. Like he said, “I’m an impeccable lyricist, and with the right mechanics, I can take over, be clear of this.” Well, the mechanics on this one stop it short of its greatness. A closer eye to selection and sequence and we’d be looking at a classic.

BONUS – Some reader is going to say “You said it would be classic, but you only gave it a 4.” More specifically, he could easily cut 5 songs, change some of the cameos, etc. That amount of work a 4.5 doesn’t make. He has some solid material here, damn good even, but there are some modifications that need to be made to get to a 5.

nappyPicks: “Pain & Torture”, “Smoking Gun”, “Cartel Gathering”, “By My Side”, & “Things I’ve Been Through”

Download: Jadakiss feat. Ghostface Killah & Raekwon – “Cartel Gathering”

Our 2nd annual nappyafro Awards week comes to a close. But , before we end this, we still got some categories to go. We still need to find out who is this year’s top producer or what was the collaboration of 2008. We also included the awards we already gave out earlier this week. Bye 2008; you wasn’t so bad.

Man Of The Year: Lil’ Wayne

Album Of The Year: Nas – Untitled

Songs Of The Year

DMF Of The Year: DMX

Best Collabo: T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us”

Yes, I’m tired of the word “swagger” too. But love ‘em or hate ‘em,  the song featured Hip-Hop’s premier rappers.

-Runner Up: Joe Budden feat. Joell Ortiz, Nino Bless, Crooked I, & Royce Da 5′9″ – “Slaughterhouse”
-Notables:
Big Boi feat. Andre 3000 7 Raekwon – “Royal Flush”
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On”
DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil’ Boosie, Ace Hood, Trick Daddy, and Plies – “Out Here Grindin”
Statik Selektah feat. Saigon, Termanology, & Cassidy – “To The Top”

Best Group: The Roots

Not to say that The Roots didn’t earn this award (The did. Rising Down was pretty good.), but the field wasn’t really competitive. Well then again, what’s that group who made that song “Lookin’ Boy”?

-Notables:
Atmosphere
G-Unit

Best Music Video: Something From YouTube (and other video sharing sites)

While some videos were recommended, our video of the year was, uh…

-Notables:
Young Jeezy – “Crazy World”
T.I. feat. Rihanna – “Live Your Life”

Best New Artist: No real winner. Just some notables.
Wale
Mickey Factz
The Cool Kids
Flo Rida
Ace Hood

Best Album We Didn’t Review: Black Milk – Tronic

Why we didn’t review this album still is a mystery to us. From “Give The Drumma Some” to “The Matrix” the album was one of this years best. Maybe we’ll get around to it one day…

-Runner Up: Evidence – The Layover EP

Turn Yo Headphones up Award: Danny! – And I Love H.E.R.: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The often delayed And I Love H.E.R. proved to be worth the wait with many calling Danny!’s 4th album his best.

Best Mixtape: Mick Boogie & Terry Urban Presents Jay-Z & Coldplay – Viva La Hova

The Hip-Hop mixtape game may be a little over-saturated, but it took Mick Boogie doing the a Jay-Z mash-up with Chris Martin’s group to take the award.

-Runner Up: DJ Drama & Fabolous – There Is No Competition (Gangsta Grillz: Special Edition)
-Notables:
Wale – The Mixtape About Nothing
Nas & Dj Green Lantern – The Nigger Tape
DJ Drama & Gucci Mane – Gangsta Grillz: The Movie
Little Brother – Seperate But Equal (Drama Free Edition)
Runner Up: DJ Drama & Ludacris – Gangsta Grillz: The Preview

Producer of the Year: DJ Toomp

This was so close; Don Cannon REALLY did his thing this year. But DJ Toomp edged him out with stellar production credits on albums from Young Jeezy, The Game, Ludacris, Nas, & Rick Ross.

-Runner Up: Don Cannon
-Notables:
Jake One
Drumma Boy
J.U.S.T.I.C.E League

Beat Of The Year: Lil’ Wayne – “A Milli”

Was there any doubt? Can you NAME all the people who actually rapped over “A Milli” in 2008?

-Runner Up: T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us”
-Notables:
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)”
Wale – “Studio 43″
Rick Ross feat. Jay-Z – “Maybach Music”

Video Vixen: Bria Myles

Are there still video vixens? Or is this just an excuse for King Jerm to put up a pic of Bria?

How do you label Ludacris? Is he a southern rapper? Is he a Hip-Hop mogul? Is he a rapper-turned actor? To me Luda is all of these, and none of these. When you think southern rap, you think of guys like Shawty LO, Soulja Boy, & Gucci Mane. I hope everyone can agree that Ludacris is on another level compared to those dudes. When I think of the word mogul, I imagine Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, & Suge Knight. These are people you can clearly associate to a record label. When I say Russell Simmons, you instantly think of Def Jam, Jay you instantly think of the ROC, and Suge you (hopefully) think of Death Row. When you think of Luda, DTP isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Sure it’s a successful label, but Chingy is the only artist most people will recognize (and that’s saying something). As an actor, Ludacris has chosen great roles, but always gets stuck in a supporting role. Look at the movies he’s been in: Crash he plays the thief, Hustle & Flow he plays the successful rapper, and in Fred Claus he plays a DJ. 2 Fast 2 Furious is the exception. But as a recording artist, Luda has earned his place among Hip-Hop royalty. Theater Of The Mind has the potential to go Gold (maybe platinum) before the end of 2008. After that long-ass intro, you’re probably asking how is the album? Well…

1. Intro
Produced by The Runners
I was scratching my head for the first 40 seconds. But once the beat kicks in, this transforms from your average Intro to “Ultimate Satisfaction Part II”. Same slow beat with the strange loop, and the same Luda with the rapid-fire flow. I was pretty impressed with Luda’s lyricism until the last 30 seconds which is just filler. At the same time it’s an above average rap-intro, what more can you hope for?

2. Undisputed
Featuring Floyd “Money” Mayweather; Produced by Don Cannon
Floyd Mayweather is the first of four random celebrities to pitch in with a vocal sample. Didn’t really add anything to the song. This was a sick-ass track though. The beat was nice, I can see this being the new Don Cannon beat to freestyle to. But when it comes to the wordplay, my jaw dropped: “And if you sittin’ on chrome/I’ll call up my boys and have you stripped of ya medals like Marion Jones”. “Luda leaves intruders stretched out like gymnastics/And acrobatics I’m superstar status/The mouth of the South like Gangsta Grillz you bastard” This is a fucking banger!

3. Wish You Would
Featuring T.I.; Produced by DJ Toomp
Like Luda said “It was bound to happen sooner or later”. The two real “Kings of the South” sound real good over this bouncy Toomp instrumental. And they spit some straight crack for almost five minutes. And for once I can honestly say, I was really feeling the hook on this track.

4. One More Drink
Featuring T-Pain; Produced by Trackmasters
After the two songs above this track fucking sucks. It’s not a terrible track, but it’s clearly a single. You might hear this one in the club, but I’d advise you to skip it. It’s featuring T-Pain; that should already tell you something.

5. Call Up The Homies
Featuring The Game & Willy Northpole; Produced by Clinton Sparks
Not bad. Game and Luda exhibit some good storytelling here, over Clinton Sparks’ Dr. Dre-esque beat (with the heavy funk instrumentals). Willy Northpole’s verse seems out-of-place, but it was weak to begin with. I’m guessing Luda just stuck him on the track to improve the youngn’s sales since he’s signed to DTP. This might be one you will have to repeat.

6. Southern Gangsta
Featuring Rick Ross, Playaz Circle, & Ving Rhames; Produced by StreetRunner
Ving Rhames’ handles all the rapper’s introductions. Sounds like an MC introducing boxers before a fight, which is funny considering Ricky Ross is on this track. Luda turns in a good 16. I’ve never been a Rick Ross fan, but this is one of his better verses (from what I’ve heard anyway). And for the second track in a row Luda gives his DTP weed carriers a guest spot to bolster there sales. Still the same result, Playaz Circle sounds just as awkward on this track as Willy Northpole sounded on “Call Up The Homies”.

7. Everybody Hates Chris
Featuring Chris Rock; Produced by Don Cannon
Don Cannon is a much better producer than he gets credit for. DJ Drama doesn’t hold a torch to this dude, and I’m glad Luda realized it. Another sick beat, but Luda didn’t really hold my attention on this one. His lyrics fluctuate from generic to sick after every bar. And the hook…. Come on Luda!

8. What Them Girls Like
Featuring Chris Brown & Sean Garrett; Produced by Darkchild
This was the first single if I’m not mistaken and it’s nothing you should ever check out. Ever! Not saying it was downright terrible, but why waste your time?

9. Nasty Girl
Featuring Plies; Produced by Swizz Beatz
Another one for the ladies. This song left me wondering who actually bought Plies album? Really? You can enjoy that shit? Really?…Proof that anyone can be a successful Rap artist these days. Who needs flow and lyricism when you can loudly babble into a microphone? That’s what I want to hear! Smh.

10. Contagious
Featuring Jamie Foxx; Produced by Scott Storch
Yet another song for the ladies. This album has really taken a downward turn. On a random note, you’ll probably never guess that Scott Storch produced this track. It’s almost nothing like any of his previous work.

11. Last Of A Dying Breed
Featuring Lil Wayne; Produced by Wyldfyer
And we now return to the album called Theater Of The Mind. You can tell Luda saved his best lines for this track. Even though this wasn’t a single, this is probably the track everyone will skip to once they cop this album. Lil’ Weezy on one of your tracks is a bonafide way to sell records these days. As for the track, Wyldfyer provides a perfect instrumental for this head-to-head face-off. To me this was the song where Luda shows the world that he can flow with Weezy and hold his own. The first verse set the mood, and set up Wayne’s verse perfectly. I’m no Wayne stan but I’ll admit he came with a pretty sick verse too, even though his voice sounded hoarse as hell (lay off the lean homie). On a sidenote, it’s pretty fucking funny to hear Ludacris make a song declaring himself to be “One of the last lyricists alive”, when that’s nowhere close to realistic. And how do you possibly feature Lil’ Wayne on this song when he was partly responsible for the death of the MC? Aside from that hypocrisy this song was pretty good.

12. MVP
Produced by DJ Premier
Damn. Who would have ever thought Ludacris could secure a Primo beat? At the same time, who really wants to hear Luda over a Primo beat? No one. Even though I’m a fan of both artists, they don’t really sound too good together. I doubt this song will have much of a fanbase, aside from heads wondering how Luda got this beat. Seriously, first Termanology, now Ludacris. What’s next, DJ Premier producing Soulja Boy and 50 Cent?

13. I Do It For Hip Hop
Featuring Nas & Jay-Z; Produced by Wyldfyer
I was really disappointed with this track. Everyone came with their C game. Besides Wyldfyer (the producer) who came with his F game, this instrumental is terrible. Add Luda’s obviously hypocritical lyrics to Jay and Nas’ uninspired lyrics and you get this mess of a song.

14. Do The Right Thang
Featuring Spike Lee & Common; Produced by 9th Wonder
This is a pretty soulful send-off. It took me a few listens to fully appreciate 9th Wonder’s optimistic contribution and I’m still not really feeling the beat here. But it’s a good track, decent way to end this album.

Bottom Line:
I felt that Ludacris tried way too hard to make everyone happy on this album. He made a few bangers, a few songs for the ladies, and a few songs for the heads. I’m sure his fans will gobble up this album and tout it as a classic, but for people new to his music this may not be the best place to start. Just by looking at the musical features you can tell how different the songs are. T.I. & Nas, Common & Lil’ Wayne, DJ Premier & Plies… those names just don’t sound like they would ever be together. And that is what makes this album hard to listen to at times.

I got one thing to get off my chest. I don’t always agree with the ratings on this site. I don’t think Theater Of The Mind is an amazing album or even in the top 10 of ‘08, but it is better than Paper Trail & The Recession in my book, so that’s why it got the rating it got. And because I know y’all would leave angry comments.

Update: Okay, maybe it was a little high

nappyPicks: “Undisputed”, “Wish You Would”, “Call Up The Homies”, & “Last Of A Dying Breed”

Download: Ludacris feat. T. I. – “Wish You Would”

Bonus: Ludacris feat. Nas & Jay-Z – “I Do It For Hip-Hop”

Having taking a 2-year break from releasing his solo albums, Young Jeezy returns to streets with his album The Recession. Jeezy burst onto the scene in 2005 with several mixtapes and one of the South’s best albums ever…Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, and his follow up The Inspiration in 2006. A lot has changed in the country since the Snowman last dropped, hence the name of his new album. However, following a campaign by his website usda2day.com that released a new song at 9:02 every Tuesday until the album dropped built a nice buzz that got the streets hype for the new Jeezy. Nevertheless, will it work? Let’s see!

The Recession (Intro)
Produced by DJ Toomp & Boogz
What can I say about this one but Toomp provided the beat (with some help) and Jeezy supplied the lyrics. The result, a FIRE ass intro and title track for the album. Jeezy is flowing like its 05’ again! HOT!

Welcome Back
Produced by Squkey Clean
This track title speaks volumes…”Welcome Back”, because that is exactly what you’re getting. You got Jeezy spitting over a bass heavy beat that will surely be banging out of an old school in a hood near you. Jeezy is giving it to you as he used to. I LOVE IT!

By The Way
Produced by Terry “T.A.” Allen
Jeezy is still on that Trap Or Die steez on this song, and the hardcore Jeezy fans will like this song. The track is tight, but the hook is repetitive, but that doesn’t stop the hotness.

Crazy World
Produced by Midnight Black
This is one of the songs that were leaked and it had the net buzzing then, and will have the streets buzzing when the public hears this one. Jeezy once again is given some nice production that he puts his slick wordplay over. BANG THIS ONE!

What They Want
Produced by Midnight Black
The production continues to be a problem on the album…and I mean that in a good way! This is one of those “dopeboy” songs that has that thunderous bass line that will have the trunks rattling everywhere. Jeezy is still spitting as if he’s doing his mixtape thing. BANGER!

Amazin’
Produced by Drumma Boy
They are making it too easy for Jeezy on this album with this good production. Jeezy is giving it to you raw with more street lyrics and more SWAG than anybody in the game. I love the hook, “Bitch I’m amazing, look what I’m blazing/Eyes so low look like I’m Asian!” That is Jeezy on that shit again! HOT!

Hustlaz Ambition
Produced by Drumma Boy
Jeezy really has taken it back to his essence on this album and that continues on this track. He raps over a slowed up, bass thumping beat provided by Drumma Boy. He lets everybody know that he still has that hustler’s ambition that shot him to the forefront of the Southern rap scene. HOT SONG!

Who Dat
Featuring Shawty Redd; Produced by Shawty Redd
Jeezy promised that this album was for the streets, and he hasn’t lied so far. This one will be playing at the clubs, but not that type of club song. I’m talking about the kind where people will be throwing their sets up. The beat is commanding and Jeezy once again delivers.

Don’t You Know
Produced by Midnight Black
Jeezy is once again given a license tag-cracking beat that he just rides and murders. I’m sure Rocko is looking like, “So this is how you supposed to do it?” Yes, Rocko, Jeezy shows you how to do “Swag Rap” on this track. BLAZING!

Circulate
Produced by Don Cannon
Jeezy tries something different on this song taking on some 70’s sounding production (”Let the Dollar Circulate” by Billy Paul is sampled). It’s a different sound from Jeezy, something you would expect from Hova, but Jeezy handles it well. This one will have to grow on the average Jeezy fan. However, can you knock a man for trying something different?

Word Play
Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
“You niggas want word play but I’m about bird play!” Jeezy is addressing all the haters who said he killed Hip-Hop by talking about drugs so much. Yeah, like he was the first to talk about drugs on his albums. But how can you hate on someone who talks about drugs so well? CHECK FOR THIS!

Vacation
Produced by The Inkredibles
Jeezy is giving a shout out to the whole city on this track, but the production is slowed down and Jeezy does his usual on this one. This is the first song that I can consider filler.

Everything
Featuring Lil’ Boosie & Anthony Hamilton; Produced by Street Market Music
The first real feature of the album features Lil’ Boosie and Anthony Hamilton and I must say that this might push Boosie to the next level by being featured on the album. Mr. Hamilton returns to croon his Southern melodies on records. The two mix well along side Jeezy on this song.

Takin’ It There
Featuring Trey Songz; Produced by FATBOI
When I saw Trey Songz featured, I should have expected a song for the ladies. Well I’m not mad it took 14 songs before we got one. Don’t get it twisted, it’s a Jeezy song about girls. You don’t have to worry about Jeezy singing to the ladies or anything like that! Is Trey the new R&B bad boy?

Don’t Do It
Produced by DJ Pain 1
This track right here is that CRACK! The song has some pain to it, but the only thing is missing is MJB (Mary J. Blige)! Jeezy came hard over a retro sounding beat again, and with the way he’s pulling it off, he might want to experiment with this some more. BANGER!

Put On
Featuring Kanye West; Produced by Drumma Boy
The song of the summer of 2008 hands down! You got Jeezy & Yeezy over a Drumma Boy beat, and it’s an instant classic. The remix with Jay is SICK! But you have all heard this song, and if you haven’t…GET FROM UNDER THE ROCK!

Get Allot
Produced Crown Kingz Productions
Seventeen tracks in and Jeezy is still coming hard at you with songs like this. The hook will have people saying it all over, “Let’s talk about hate…I get allot of that/Let’s talk about money…I get allot of that!” How can you not like Jeezy when he’s doing what he does best? The answer…YOU CAN’T!

My President
Featuring Nas; Produced by Tha Bizness
“My President is black, my lambo is blue, and I be gotdamned if my rims ain’t too!” Nas and Jeezy jumped on a track and made some good music. I didn’t think that the styles would mesh well, but they did. I still don’t like politics coming from my rappers, but I guess Jeezy has to do his part to motivate the streets. HOT SONG!

Bottom Line:
When we talk about albums of 2008, this will definitely be on the list. Jeezy not only returned to the essence, but he’s rapping like he’s in his prime now. Jeezy promised that this might be his best work, and I find it hard to argue with him. I did notice the absence of his CTE family, but he did have some interesting features Kanye, Nas, and Boosie. Jeezy showed the world that he is back and ready to reclaim his spot as the voice of the streets. Like I said earlier, when you give a rapper like Jeezy good production, he has no choice but to deliver heat like he did for 18 tracks. You can listen from top to bottom to this album.

nappyPicks: THE WHOLE THING…GO PICK IT UP!

Download: Young Jeezy – “The Recession (Intro)”

G-Unit knows how to stay in the limelight even when they have no album out. The shit with Buck, the court situation with 50 and his BM, Yayo and his prison shit, etc. Kanye beat 50 in the sales challenge but 50 did major numbers out the gate as well, however, the bet was that 50 would not do another solo album if he lost…and he did. What does that mean for him or the crew to come off such low times as mentioned? Let’s find out.

Straight Outta Southside
Produced by Ron Brownz
This is one of the hardest songs out. Get yo’ throwback on as the crew pays homage to NWA and that gangsta mentality that initially got the crew over. Banks gets the baton first and does aite. Yayo seems to be more energized in the booth as he shouts a fuck the police to Shawn Bell’s murderers. 50 does aite as he tries to keep pace after Yayo’s verse.

Piano Man
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Tha Bizness
Yayo seems to have upped his swagga game and Banks is a fool; straight comedy on this one from the thugged out Craig David. Buck does his thing on here. Not a member, but the best one on this track by far with some decent wordplay and brash delivery. The track itself is aite; the hook is, well, 50.

Close To Me
Produced by Teraike “Chris Styles” Crawford
I didn’t expect to hear this type of song this early after the first two singles. Fiddy knows how to make songs for the ladies and strippers to work…so I guess that means that he makes music for the men? Anyway, nothing groundbreaking but for Curtis’ fans, this is a welcome return to some older sound. Banks styles on this shit quite well. Shout out to Spitzer on here; Ha! And the falsetto shit is comedy. I dig the track and trust me, this song will thump in the clubs…strip and otherwise.

Rider Pt. 2
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Rick Rock
Voice mods, oh joy. That aside, song is pretty dope. 50’s verse is forgettable and Buck seems to really seal his own casket with the crew on this one even if 50 drops me I still wouldn’t sign. The beat is dope and there is no denying this is a posse cut.

Casualties Of War
Produced by Ky Miller
The hook grates my soul, I hate it. The track, eh, it’s aite. Banks comes on and intros his flow saying some pretty lame shit. Overall, the metaphors are pretty lame on this one and even for the crew; this one is pretty pedestrian lyrically.

You So Tough
Produced by Ky Miller
The hook with the mocking tone is funny as hell. I think Banks mailed this one in, not really a good sound for him at all on here. Yayo comes with some heat on this one and amps up one of the more mellow tracks on the album. I think 50 is goin’ at T.I. and his case on this one, for what, I’m not sure. Lyrically though, this track is pretty grimey and I dig it, even if you omit Banks verse.

No Days Off
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Dual Output
Buck offers up part of the hook on this one which sets the tone for the track. Mr. Jackson comes on with a slow burn flow, because in the offset, it sucks. It does get better as he goes on. Yayo’s verse is pretty fly until he starts talking about his ride and a bulletproof hat. Ha! Banks paints the best picture and takes shots at Fat Joe and Weezy.

T.O.S. (Terminate On Sight)
Produced by Ty Fyffe
We get 50’s hardest verse since the first track with lines like “It’s fuck 50 I stay in the drama/He luv her I fuck her/She’s  his baby mama.. ” Damn 50. Banks rides and delivers on this track, hypes it up a little. Yayo does him one better bringing this shit to a frenetic pace that matches the track. The track, though simple, works well on here due to the deliveries brought to the table.

I Like The Way She Do It
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Street Radio Inc.
Summer jam much? This is a club banger. A lot of you dudes need to thank fiddy. If you club and you  like women, many of you will get yo’ grind on to this very song. No women sittin’ when this shit comes on, I promise.

Kitty Kat
Produced by Hit-Boy
Um, what is this, a woman’s anthem or something?  The chic on here is annoying as hell. The track is fuckin’ phenomenal, but yo, the hook is terrible, just terrible. I can see the squad groovin’ to this one in the studio though, having fun. Lyrically, there’s nothing new here, money, cash, hoes. The track is the biggest standout here though.

Party Ain’t Over
Featuring Young Buck; Produced by Damien Taylor
Yep, another club jam. The beat is dope; you can’t stay still on this one. The flows, again, aren’t anything new or groundbreaking for the group. Almost to the point, the song sounds familiar. Banks seems to have the idea on how to ride the tracks on this album and he does a good job on here as well.  Buck talkin’ about he got Vitamin Water money seems to be included on here like they poking fun at him. You got money….like yo’ boss? WTF.

Let It Go
Featuring Movado; Produced by Don Cannon
I’m feelin’ this from the jump. Movado kills it and the track is undeniable.   This is one of the better songs on the album.  Yayo delivers a dope ass verse including, “I’m the high school drop out/Crack game genius/The mack will turn ya back into Gilbert Arenas.”

Get Down
Produced by Swizz Beatz & The Individuals
There was a time when having Swizz produce your track meant damn near instant Gold. My how the times have changed. This song is horrible.

I Don’t Wanna Talk About It
Produced by Jesse Corparal Wilson & Reginald “Regg” Smith
I love the track on this one, some bounce with heavy synth. It sounds like some Ryan Leslie produceduction as it has a lot of layers to it. Its comical how this song is one of the longer, if not the longest, on the album. I really like the concept and flow of this song a lot. 50 brings the best verse on this one.

Ready Or Not
Produced by Jake One
A dark track that may be a little overly simple is paired with Banks best lyrics on the entire album. “Cause niggas get hit, and call a lawyer/Gon’ try and sue you/That’s a bitch nigga for ya’/….why be slick, say somethin’ bout my name/Don’t jump out the window/Ya safer jumpin’ out a plane….you don’t want a lead shower/Stay the fuck out the rain/So much ammo/Muh’fuckas don’t gotta aim.” Yayo offers up a decent verse, but it’s hard to follow up what Banks gave us.

Money Makes The World Go Round
Produced by Ron Browz
Yayo makes the hook more annoying than it has to be, and it’s equally bad having him doing the first verse on the song that he does the hook on. Stuck like Velcro? Damn, we gotta do better than that though. The track is about average. It sounds like its all build up and is missing something extra.

Bottom Line:
There isn’t much elaboration needed. The album goes from hardcore banger to slow and methodical in a largely inconsistent feel. I think ultimately, this one will come down to what you like to listen to.  The crew doesn’t reinvent the wheel outside of Yayo who seems to a lot more energized overall, but seems to struggle to find where he fits in.  50 offers up a lot more forgettable verses than you would expect.  Banks, on the other hand, keeps it live with his change of flows and pretty good lyricism for the most part.  Buck, when featured, is a welcome change to the sound of the crew and I think will be missed when all is said and done.  Overall, it’s a little better than ya’ average album that would be better if not for the inconsistencies and smattering of mediocre songs. TOS does nothing new or groundbreaking but does show glimmers of them reclaiming that juggernaut status that once had the world saying G G G G – Unit!

nappyPicks: “Straight Outta Southside”, “Close To Me”, “You So Tough”, “I Like The Way She Do It” , & “I Don’t Wanna Talk About It”

Download: G Unit – “Straight Outta Southside”

This week I decided to switch it up a bit, instead of doing an audio, I decided to do a video! This is the newest sensation on the net right now Asher Roth! He is making big noise with his mixtape the DJ Drama & Don Cannon hosted The Greenhouse Effect, and like many people, King Jerm is late on the bandwagon. He reminds you of somebody, I just can’t put my finger on it. I’ll let you figure out who you think it is! Check out the video, it’s hot, fresh, and new. Don’t forget where you got this from! Oh yeah, if you want to download the mixtape, you know we got you!

Download: Asher Roth – The Greenhouse Effect

Released Date: 2008