When you think of the Outlawz the first thing that immediately comes to mind is their association with the late legendary Tupac Shakur. The group, which was founded by Shakur following his release from prison in 1995, is best known for their feature on 2Pac’s hit song “Hit ‘Em Up”. Since Tupac’s untimely death, the Outlawz have managed to progress on and keep the music going with this being their fifth group album release. The Outlawz are still considered to somewhat being in the shadows of 2Pac even after his death, but will this album be the one to bring the Outlawz to the forefront as not just Pac’s group but as a premier group in their own right.

We Want In
Featuring Stormey; Produced by Beat Nik & K-Salaam
The album immediately starts off in the right way with a banging beat provided by Beat Nik and K-Salaam. On this initial track we hear the Outlawz talk about how they want more as artists after patiently waiting for so long and aren’t satisfied with what they have now. As you can hear on the chorus, they proceed to shout out all the successful sub-labels and how they want in with regards to the money they’re making.

Everything Happenz 4 A Reason
Featuring Stormey; Produced by Aktual
This next track on the album continues in the same way as the previous track with a hard pounding beat supplied by Aktual. The beat reminds me of something that I would hear Young Jeezy & CTE rapping over. On this track we hear the Outlawz talking about how everything that they have been through over the years has happened for a reason.

Failure Ain’t An Option
Produced by Kaiser Sosa
Kaiser Sosa keeps the album pumping right along with another beat that’s sure to bump hard over the speakers. The use of synthesizers and rolling pitch snares give this track a southern feel to it with a nice addition of a lead guitar at the end of the track. The Outlawz go for a more motivational approach on this track in rapping about how failure isn’t an option in anything that they do and they achieving this by staying on their grind consistently.

Hunger Pains
Featuring Stormey; Produced by Aktual
Aktual comes back to supply the Outlawz with yet another banging beat that serves as the backdrop to their rhymes about having hunger pains while causes them to constantly be on their hustle and make things happen. A lot of their tracks so far have been focus topic wise on success and achieving accomplishments in everything they do by any means necessary.

Love For Money
Featuring Stormey & Keion; Produced by Cosmo
This track features a nicely sampled beat produced by Cosmo, which fits well with the Outlawz’s rhymes talking about their love of money and peoples’ addiction to the almighty dollar. The song also features a nicely sung chorus that makes it complete.

Thuggin’ Till I Die
Featuring C-Bo & Stormey; Produced by Tha Nox
The album continues on in a great way upon reaching this track that switches the pace in slowing things down a bit. Tha Nox produces a great beat on this track that carries a very sorrowful mood and perfectly fit the Outlawz’s lyrics and theme of the song. Over the piano driven track we hear the Outlawz speak about how they’re gonna be thugging until they die and about the homies that they lost that fell victim to violence. So far this is my favorite track on the album.

I’m Mister
Produced by Boondox
On this track we have a soulful sampled beat produced by Boondox with the Outlawz rapping about they’re “the man” from all of the hard work and sacrifice that they’ve put in. This is a good track that brings back up the pace of the album after the previous slow tempo track.

My Life
Featuring Stormey; Produced by E.D.I.
This track features some interesting production from fellow group member E.D.I.  that is just mediocre at best and starts to drag on as the song progresses. The slow, dragging feeling of this track starts to get boring after a while and the Outlawz rhymes about their life and how they won’t change it for anything are missed because of how uninteresting the track is. This track is a skip for me.

Do It Like That
Featuring J-Bo; Produced by J-Bo
While I felt that the Outlawz were doing a nice job of producing a cohesive album so far with the consistency of their tracks, this one totally misses the mark. This track has a southern feel to it from the production provided by J-Bo who also serves as a guest appearance as well. The Outlawz sound really out of place on this track and it doesn’t really fit their style as they spit braggadocio rhymes about customized cars and other material things in their possession. This track is another skip!

I Can’t Lie
Featuring Stormey & Tha Pimptationz; Produced by Cozmo
While this track does pick back up the album following two mediocre tracks, this song doesn’t do much more for me than the previous tracks did. The beat provided by Cozmo does do this track justice, but the topic of the Outlawz rhymes have been done so many times before that I’m just tired of listening to songs about it. Their rhymes speak about how they can’t lie to girls about them being players for life. The chorus sung by Tha Pimptationz (WTF!!!) doesn’t really add much to the track either.

Take It Off
Featuring Keion; Produced by Cozmo
Of course no album would be complete nowadays without a track for the ladies and this is the Outlawz’s attempt to get their ears. The beat provided by Cozmo is suitable for the type of track that this is and it fits with the Outlawz’s lyrics. Keion does a nice with the chorus and it brings the proper feel to the track. Even though songs have been done like this a million times over, it will work on this album as something that appeals to the women.

It’s My Turn
Featuring Maserati Rick & Nutt-So; Produced by Ayo
Arriving at the final track on the album, the Outlawz come full circle with this song in connection to the entire album. With some solid production provided by Ayo, the Outlawz talk about how it’s now their turn to make it in the music industry and achieve the success that they have been waiting on for so long. This is a suitable way to end off the album and brings the album to a close in a proper way.

Bottom Line:
In delivering a complete album in 12 tracks (50 minutes) the Outlawz are able to display the talent and ability that Pac saw in them 13 years ago back in 1995 (Pac would be proud). The Outlawz are a group that keeps it real in their music with lyrics that stay true to who they are and don’t try to reach to the commercial/mainstream audience. It can be said that the Outlawz won’t go platinum or garner commercial/mainstream success with this album, but I don’t think that’s their focus and goal. This album as the cover states is The Street LP and I think that exactly whom this album is intended for. Hardcore listeners and followers of the Outlawz will definitely enjoy this album and for casual listeners like myself who come across this album will find select track that they enjoy. The Outlawz have done their job with this album in producing an album that will not only satisfy their more dedicated listeners but also suit occasional listeners.

nappyPicks: “Thuggin’ Till I Die”, “We Want In”, “Hunger Pains”, “Take It Off”, & “Everything Happenz 4 A Reason”

Download: Outlawz feat. C-Bo & Stormey – “Thuggin’ Till I Die”

Despite being the flagship artist on Lil’ Jon’s BME Recordings, Lil’ Scrappy never reached the potential that was expected. After pushing 500K on his debut and a disappointing 382K on his follow up, Scrappy went on to sign a joint deal with Warner Brothers for his upcoming album Prince of the South. Scrappy has garnered some success like his fellow ATL brethren, but he has the youngsters and the streets on his side. But one thing you can say about Scrappy is that you can never question where he’s from!

G’s Up
This should have been titled “KnowwhatI’mtalkinbout!” Seeing that he says it multiple times, it’s just an intro, nothing major.

The A
This is a HOT song right here! The beat has a calypso playing in the back and Scrappy reps for his city on this one! You have to admit, Scrappy loves his city! CHECK IT OUT!

Keep it on the Low
I can’t front on this song, I like it. The beat is kind of simple, but it’s tight. Scrappy puts up some nice rhymes to go with the production.

Wassup
The first slip up on the album in my opinion. The track is has too much going on, which takes away from what Scrappy is saying. He gets lost in the track “See I’m a G, you’re an F!” Weak lines like that and a lazy hook doomed the song. NEXT!

Take Advantage
This is an intro for the next song which happens to be from Friday.

Smoke, Ride & Get Paid
This has to be a D-Boy anthem. The beat is pretty good and Scrappy shows that 50 taught him something, how to make a decent hook! “This is what we do, smoke and ride and get paid!” I like this one, BANGER!

The World is Mine
Featuring Lil’ Flip
Lil’ Flip resurfaces on the track, and I see why he fell back in the game. He says the same rhyme over and over again. Scrappy thinks he’s a don on the record and tries to convince the listeners that he’s don status. But we’re not fooled, we like the crunk Scrappy better.

Fo Sho
Again you can see the 50 influence on this song. The hook sounds like 50 helped him out. The hook can’t help out a dull song though! Scrappy doesn’t keep you interested on this song at all.

All Hunid’s
Scrappy gets a good beat and put together a good song. Scrappy does well when he stays in his environment. He does let some weak lines through, “I was so curious that they called me George!” Don’t let that line deter you from listening to the track though.

Believe
This is another intro, this time from American Gangster.

You Trippin’
Featuring Lil’ Flip
They must be real tight, because Flip got two songs on the album? But this one is has the screwed hook that Flip is accustomed to. But this one should have stayed on the cutting room floor. GARBAGE! Not because of Scrappy, but because of Flip and the track.

Throwin’ up Dat
A dumb hook can ruin a song along with a Muslim greeting coming from Scrappy. Why? SKIP!

Move Somethin’
You notice the CRUNK is back in Scrappy! This is one for the clubs that will have the ladies and gents with their mean mugs on and hood signs being thrown up!

Wassup, Wassup
Featuring J-Bo of the YoungBloodZ
This is a remix to the before mentioned “Wassup”, this time adding J-Bo to the remix, but it still didn’t help out because it’s the same song with J-Bo added to it. I still say SKIP!

Prince of the South
An Outro to album where Scrappy gives his official endorsement to Obama! Guess that does it for me!

Bottom Line:
Not that I was looking for Scrappy to come out the gates with a banger, I did expect something a little better. Scrappy is now on his third album, and I still don’t see artistic growth. He talks about the same subjects and it gets redundant at times. I thought being around 50 was going to help him, obviously it didn’t because he had TWO guest spots with Flip and a questionable add on with J-Bo. He could have done a song with someone in his age group and got the youngsters on his side, but he chose not to do that and his album flopped in my opinion! BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD!

nappyPicks: “The A”, “Keep it on the Low”, & “Smoke, Ride & Get Paid”

Download: Lil’ Scrappy – “The A”

Even though an album by the group YoungBloodZ is scheduled for later this year, both members (Sean P & J-Bo) have ventured of as solo artists. While Sean P (formally known as Sean Paul), has had numerous guest appearances and air time with the likes of Cherish, Sammie, & Lil’ Jon; J-Bo has been rather quiet. Well, I guess he tries to changed this with the release of his first solo album ATL’s Finest.Is there any anticipation for this release? I really don’t think so. J-Bo is like the John Oates of the YoungBloodz (What? You never listened to Hall & Oates?). Okay, let’s go…

1. ATL’s Finest
Over an generic bouncy track, J-Bo explains to us all that he’s Atlanta’s finest and an A-Town legend. Why is this? Who knows, it’s just an intro.

2. Look At Me Now
The album’s first song has “Mr. Herringbone Jones” enlighten us on how it’s time for a new king and how he’s got a little change. The beat is not bad and I always thought J-Bo’s voice was his best attribute. It’s nothing breakthrough, but it’s not terrible either.

3. A-Town
This track sounds like a poor man Lil’ Jon. I know “The King of Crunk” is responsible for giving YoungBloodz basically all their hits, you gotta move on. The hook on this one is lazy too; “Work by the zone/Bottle of Petrone /Trying not to blow my high/baby girl all alone/Texting on the phone/Peeping out the corner of her eye.” Next!

4. I’m A Problem
It’s here that I remember why Sean Paul was the stand out in the group; J-Bo has almost no charisma. I mean, he’s not terrible when it come to lyrics; but a time he’s boring as hell; “I’m a YoungBlood/I never been a scrub/I never chase a hoe/And I don’t even show ‘em love.” I once again have problems with commonness of the beats.

5. Another Level
Oh shit! This interlude samples…Pimpin’ Snooky! Wanna know from where the samples come from? Click here.

6. Make Me Rich
I guess this is the pimpin’ song off the album. The beat does it’s best Eightball & MJG impression though, but it’s not too shabby. The hook though…well, I‘ll let you be the judge; “Bitch, bitch, make me rich/Bitch, bitch, bitch, make me rich.” Why is it when Pimpin’ Snooky says the word bitch, I let it go, but when J-Bo says it, I shake my head? I don’t know. One seems real, one seems contrived. Pick which one.

7. Pull It Off The Lot
Here, J-Bo is in full stunting mode. From making it rain, to “pulling it off the lot while most niggas window shop”, J-Bo covers all the bases. See, this is where I reiterate that J-Bo’s need to carve out his own personality. Just because every bodies doing it, doesn’t make doing the same a good thing. The chopped & screwed hook and snap like beat add to this.

8. Back To You
Time for the ladies to get a song. J-Bo does you standard love rap thing and I hate to say it, I just about able to stand this song with is boring laid back beat and all. Then the chorus hit; “G5/Flying through the sky/Girl I can’t lie/I’m on my way back to you/Touch down/In the Maybach/Tank full of gas/I’m on my way back to you.” Really J-Bo? Really?

9. My Life
J-Bo drops some of the fake posturing to tell some of his life story. So far this might be the best song off the album, I mean, I still really didn’t care for it but still. His cadence, at this point, has became monotonous; “See let me tell you about a nigga who don’t give a fuck/It all started way back as a young buck/19 was the year I cut my first deal/My first ride, big check/Something had to give.” Once again the hook is also weak.

10. After The Show
Here J-Bo talks about the cities he’s toured and the women that come along with it. This is the first song that I didn’t hate off the album. It’s by far the best produced track. Even though J-Bo’s lyrics are simple, he’s still able to bring you into the song a little bit.

11. What I Do
This interlude is a audio clip of Joe Pesci from Casino. Even though I love the movie Casino, the clip doesn’t make much sense being on this album.

12. I’m Still A Problem (feat. Lil’ Scrappy)
This is basically track 4 with a Scrappy verse inserted. I guess I can commend J-Bo on having the guts to only have 1 guest feature on his album. It probably would have helped though; Scrappy verse is better than J-Bo’s.

13. Herringbone Jones
An short outro to the album…finally

Bottom Line:
One word for this album: Generic. The problem here is this; How can you stand out in a over populated field, if you don’t bring anything different to the table? J-Bo does what is popular and doesn’t do it particularly good. Not only does this album lower J-Bo already low rankings, it doesn’t have me looking forward to the upcoming YoungBloodZ album.

Download: J-Bo feat. Lil’ Scrappy – “I’m Still A Problem”