I hope it doesn’t count as hating if I say that ever since 2003’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’, 50 has gotten worse with time. I hope it doesn’t, because the truth in that statement is fact; Get Rich or Die Tryin’ has sold over 10 million copies worldwide to date. 50 Cent recently struggled to move units after an album leak and competition from Kanye. He’s also been charged with getting soft, making a lot more commercial songs than he used to. In response, 50 replied that he’d really been waiting for Curtis to come out so he could release his “real” album, Before I Self Destruct. Claiming it to be his hardest album since his debut, we finally get to hear the album that everyone has been waiting for. Does 50 exceed expectations with BISD?

The Invitation
Produced by Ty Fyffe
Now THIS is how you start an album. 50 sounds REAL hungry on this one, jumping on with little hesitation: “You want some? Come get some!/Nigga it’s Murder One when you see my gun/I just squeeze and squeeze ’till the whole clip done!/You just bleed and bleed ’till the Police come!/Huh? You want some??” If this first song is any indication of the entire album, then 50 may have been right about his promise (thank you!!). Ty Fyffe definitely brought the fire with the beat, and 50 flowed on it like a proven vet: “I’m far from a centric, I’m so psychotic/I don’t need you to shoot for me, nigga I got it!” Great song.

Then Days Went By
Produced by Lab Ox
The sampling here is flawless. This beat is hot as hell courtesy of Lab Ox. 50 sounds good flowing on this track, rapping about his younger days in the hood. While his flow over the track sounds really good, he doesn’t really spit anything notable lyrically. He makes up for it with the hook, which is crack: “I seen niggas gettin’ rich, then days went by/Then days went by, then days went by…” The hook make the track much more appealing. Good song.

Death To My Enemies
Produced by Dr. Dre & Mark Batson
Dre’s first appearance on the album, and it’s BLAZING!!!!!! “Dre, niggas think we bullshitin’!” The the beat drops and it’s fire!! “I bring money to my niggas that bring death to my enemies”. 50 keeps up the pace as with the first few tracks and keeps it truly gutta over a Dre (& Batson) production. Did anyone else catch the Wayne diss? (“This ain’t Tha Carter/Nigga this is Sparta/It’s harder I die I be a matar/Respect me like your father”)

So Disrespectful
Produced by Tha Bizzness
I think this song is more popular for it’s disses to Jay, Game, and others than it’s actual quality. Not saying that the quality is bad, the beat is pretty good, and the repeated “So disrespectful” was a good choice to use for the hook: simple, yet effective. Anyway, the disses in question are: “Jay’s a big man, he’s too big to respond/I’m a big dick, you know the one everybody on” and “Come on Game, you’ll never be my equal/Your homies shoot doors, my niggas shoot people!” The disses aren’t bad, but c’mon we all know Fif can do better than this. He almost sounds asleep on this track. Not bad, could have been better.

Psycho
Featuring Eminem; Produced by Dr. Dre
The Three-Headed Monster reunites on one track for the best effort I’ve heard from Fif in a very long time. Fuck best song on the album, this is one of the best songs of the YEAR!! The beat is perfect, sounding just like those old fashioned 1950’s horror movies plus 50 and Em both showed up for the track. Well, you know Em murked the track and it’d be hard for 50 to even match him on this considering its Em’s style of subject matter. But 50 did a very good job:

“Look look, I come from a different crew, you fuck with me, I’ll get to you/A clip or two’ll cripple you, just ’cause I ain’t got shit to do”.

Wow. Don’t think Em slouched either:

“You pop off the top it’s like opening vats of acid/Beat the Octamom to death with a Cabbage Patch Kid/Attack a snatch, yeah there’s something to jack a batch in/Impregnate her then shoot up the embryo sack with Mac 10s/Triplets, quadruplets and a couple of back to back twins/Dead fetuses fallin out all over, Jack is back again”

Damn. What more can I say? Excellent song.

Hold Me Down
Produced by Team Ready & J. Kevs
What a transition. We went from killing everything in sight to a song for the girls guns. This is the usual 50 throwaway female song; ABC style beat, with 50 using a couple clever metaphors to get by. I will give him props for doing the whole my gun is my girl (See 2Pac’s “Me And My Girlfriend”). The hook ain’t bad, but this song gets kind of boring and is pretty short anyway. I’m not skipping this one, but it’s pretty blah. Not really feeling it.

Crime Wave
Produced by Team Demo
This is what I’m talking about. I heard this on the local radio and this was crazy. The hook is perfect, the beat is hot, and 50 is spittin’ crazy shit on this one too:

“I’m not tellin you to shoot somebody, but if somebody try to shoot you shoot ‘em/Don’t waste time, lil’ nigga just do it/Any nigga out of order, must be serviced/See now now you hesitatin boy you makin me nervous/The Feds know I clap heat felonies on my rap sheet/Front on me try to run from me hollows be up your back B!

After the last song, this was the perfect recovery! BANG THIS ONE!!!

Stretch
Produced by Rick Rock
The pianos on this one are ridiculous, and make the beat sound really hard. The hook fits, but the “stretch…” is a lil suspect. 50’s flow on this one is pretty good: “Your favorite bad guys gone!/The Joker’s dead!/So for now till forever your stuck with the kid./I ain’t supposed to be a boss, I’m supposed to be a enforcer!/I’m supposed to hold a gun, not be stuck in the office!” The lyrics probably won’t wow you, but at the same time, it’s a serviceable song.

Strong Enough
Produced Nascent & OB Da Problem
DAMN!! This song is hard as hell!! The sample is: “Your life is over…” again and again. Damn. 50 didn’t play around on this one either: “These niggas ain’t strong enough/They money ain’t long enough/When they bump heads with me, they find out the guns do bust/We gettin’ money in god we trust/Suck on this nigga!” You gotta hear this one to believe it. Great song.

Get It Hot
Produced by Black Key
Can’t believe this wasn’t one of the first singles. It sounds like “Get Up” and “I Get It In” combined with a much hotter beat. This would have blazed the charts! Fif came correct with lines like: “I’m a made man, a Don Corleone/No matter where I’m at, I’m doin what the fuck I want!” This one was obviously made for the club, but that’s not exactly a bad thing since it works well on this song. Good song.

Gangsta’s Delight
Produced by Havoc
This is a gangsta play on the classic song “Rapper’s Delight”. While I appreciate 50’s creativity, I wasn’t really feeling it myself. It could have been executed much better. The way it is now, it’s actually pretty skippable. However, I’m sure some people will like it. The beat isn’t too bad, it’s just something that you can tell was meant to be filler.

I Got Swag
Produced by Dual Output
The beat on this is really hot; Fif chose great production on this album. This is basically what the title looks like: 50 flossing to the max. The hook is kind of hot though and this definitely could have been a single. Lyrically, 50 is aiight, nothing too shocking: “Me, I’m into me/I destroy my enemies, even if they kin to me.” Good song, but again, you can tell this was meant to be filler.

Baby By Me
Featuring Ne-Yo; Produced by Polow Da Don
This was the first official single off this album, steadily getting more and more airplay. Compared to the other first singles from 50 Cent, this definitely underwhelming, even compared to “Straight To The Bank”. It’s grown on me though; the sample was perfect for this song. 50 was definitely asleep on this one: “I need you to be what I need/More than liquor or weed/I need you to maybe give me a seed/I need you to give me reason to breathe, I need you/I’m tellin’ you so now you know what I need.” Damn. Even 50 fans have to admit that sucks. Ne-Yo definitely controlled the song here. Overall, it’s a fun little song but 50’s parts bring it down. Sadly.

Do You Think About Me
Produced by Rockwilder
What was 50 THINKING!?!? This is the exact same song as the previous one without the awesome sample and Ne-Yo. Instead, you get 50’s same lackluster rhymes and some no-name singer on the hook. The beat is aiight, but it could have been used a lot better if 50 woke up and chose a really singer to do the hook. Sadly, this is the second single…
SKIP!!!

OK, You’re Right
Produced by Dr. Dre
The street single off the album. Dre was on point here, this beat bangs and has that classic eerie sound to it. Sadly, 50 barely showed up for this one. It’s like he realized even being on a Dre beat would make him sound good so he didn’t need to come correct with the lyrics. I mean, he comes with two verses, each 12 bars long, and with the same sounding monotone delivery. Disappointing. The song still sounds good without 50’s help and proof that Dre can make any rapper sound good flowing on his beats.

Could’ve Been You
Produced by DJ Khalil
Why would anyone end their album like this? SKIP!!

*Bonus Tracks*
I fucks with “Flight 187″ and “Man’s World”, but the new original version of “Baby By Me” could definitely have been left off. And by the way, why are “Man’s World” and “Flight 187″ not on the official album?? Damn!

Bottom Line:
Did 50 live up to his promise? Well, yes, I think he did. He’s got some ridiculous songs on here that definitely live up to the Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ pedigree. But at the same time, he’s got some shit songs on here that are some of the worse he’s ever done (read: “Do You Think About Me” and “Could’ve Been You”). I was actually a little surprised there weren’t any shots thrown at Rick Ross seeing as that was pretty much the biggest Hip-Hop beef of the year. Speaking of Rick Ross, I think that this was the better album between the two of them because some of the good songs on this album are better than the best songs on Deeper Than Rap. 50 did a prettty good job here all things considered, but at the same time, I think we all know he can do much better than this. After all the hype surrounding this album, some people might feel he under-delivered.

However, just because King Jerm gave Deeper Than Rap a 4.5 and I think 50’s album is better doesn’t mean I’m gonna give 50 a 4.5. Ross’ album deserves a 3.5 in my humble opinion, shit, maybe even a 3 flat in my book. So I’m rating 50 based on that.

nappyPicks: “Stretch”, “Crime Wave”, “Psycho”, “The Invasion”, “Death to Enemies”, “Strong Enough”

Download: 50 Cent – “Flight 187″

Download: 50 Cent feat. Jovan Dais – “Baby By Me” (Original Version)

Download: 50 Cent – “Man’s World”

Download: 50 Cent feat. Gucci Mane – “Crime Wave (remix)”

All new music for this edition of iPod Hustle. Mostly good too. In this go around: Jezzy tells us why trappin’ ain’t dead, Juelz mixes up the medicine, and Gucci (With the help of Usher) goes for the spotlight. Set your iPods to Hustle…now.

Download: Young Jeezy – “Trap Or Die 2”
Produced by Zaytoven
I remember seeing a video of Young Jeezy performing this song at Club Dreams and I was feeling it then. Yep, it sounds like The Snowman is taking it back to 2005 with this one. If this track is a sign of what kinda music will be on Thug Motivation 103, I’m looking forward to it (Plus I’ve been bumping Jay-Z’s “As Real As It Gets” a lot lately). Sidenote: I thought Zaytoven was Gucci’s favorite go to producer? (Zaytoven explains here)

Download: Juelz Santana feat. YelaWolf – “Mixing Up The Medicine”
Produced by Kane Beatz
Juelz hooks up with Alabama’s own YelaWolf to create a certified street banger. As soon as I heard that hook I was sold. Partner that with that fact that Santana sounds motivated again (The last time I remember that happening was at the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards): ”Take her out and trick around/I take her home and dick her down/Send her back to you like ‘Baby I was at my sister house’”. Hopefully this is the Juelz Santana we’ve been waiting for. Remember, his last album did go Platinum.

Download: Gucci Mane feat. Usher – “Spotlight”
Produced by Polow Da Don
Wow, Gucci Mane is in another one of my posts? I guess this is what the young kids are listening to these days. On this one Gucci Mane grabs Usher and puts on his best commercial clothes. Not to sound like a hater but the flow on this song is garbage. I don’t even listen to Gucci, but I think even some of his biggest fans will probably gives this a so-so rating. The State vs. Radric Davis is supposed to drop in December.

More Than A Game tells the story of now NBA superstar LeBron James and his fellow teammates during their high school years at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. It follows the team’s journey of trials and tribulations to the eventual success of a high school basketball national title in 2003. With every documentary that depicts the story on film, there’s an equal telling of that story through music. 8 Mile had it with Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture 8 Mile, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ had it with Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, so it would only make since for a film as strong as More Than A Game to have one. The purpose of a film’s soundtrack should be to present the essential elements of the film and essential tell the story of the film without watching the actual movie. The soundtrack should make the listener feel as though they have seen and experienced the movie through listening. Both soundtracks to 8 Mile and Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ do a great job of this (the former more than the latter) and if listeners are hesitant to seeing More Than A Game with the fear of it being more Crossover and Like Mike and less The Basketball Diaries and Hoop Dreams, hopefully listening to this soundtrack will sway their decision.

1. Drop It Low
Ester Dean featuring Chris Brown; Produced by Polow Da Don
As the first track you hear on the album, you immediately get a bad feeling about listening to the rest. From the title of the song you could already get a feeling as to what this song is about and how it would sound. Featuring typical production from Polow Da Don, Ester Dean sings about dropping her booty low (original huh??) and a return of Chris Brown to the music scene after his incident with Rihanna. Given the story of the movie and how it looks to be, I don’t really see at all how this song relates or got included other than a commercial single for the young crowd to dance to.

2. Forever
Drake featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem; Produced by Boi-1da
A song that everybody should be well familiar with by now as it’s an official single for the album with an accompanying music video released last week. Boi-1da continues with his current streak in providing some bouncy production for all four emcees to deliver everything from average to stellar verses on. While Drake, Wayne, Ye drop good verses, the show is obviously stolen by Mr. Mathers who obliterates his verse with fantastic wordplay, precise delivery, and even flow switching to top it off. This was a quality selection to be included on this album.

3. King On Set
T.I. featuring Young Dro; Produced by The Smash Factory
A song from the self-proclaimed King of the South before his current jail stint that features fellow Grand Hustle member Young Dro dropping rhymes atop production from The Smash Factory that fit well the aforementioned rappers. A song that sounds like it could have fit on T.I.’s King album, features T.I. donning his fast flow while Dro take his time in defining the word “king” and how it applies to him. This track obviously fits LeBron more in present times with his “King James” moniker more than it did during his high school days.

4. Stronger
Mary J. Blige; Produced by Polow Da Don & Hit Boy
This time around Polow Da Don delivers much more meaningful production along with Hit Boy as they supply a beat for Mary J. Blige to deliver in classic MJB style. As one of the album’s official singles, this song perfectly fits with the theme of the movie of individuals standing together as one to over come struggles and hardships. This song truly gives you the feeling of the movie without having seen the preview beforehand.

5. History
Jay-Z; Produced by Kanye West & Kenoe
This song was previously released back in November ’08 around the time of Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States in which Jay-Z performed at the President’s Inaugural Ball. In regards to that event this song fittingly serves as Jay cleverly refers to “history” as his child after searching and finding his wife “victory”. Kanye and Kenoe provide a historic sounding backdrop for Jay to deliver inspirational verses on a song that fits well with the historic legacy left by LeBron and his teammates at SMSV.

6. Top Of The World
Rich Boy featuring Chili Chil; Produced by Rich Boy
After a few inspirational tracks, Rich Boy brings the energy back to the album with this self-produced track. Rich Boy’s beat is the trademark hard thumping southern production that suits him so well, as he delivers lyrics letting listeners know why he’s one of the young rappers in the game moving towards the top and why his gold selling debut album Rich Boy was no fluke. Chili Chil provides the hook on this track that makes the song complete and gives you a feeling of the fight and push within Lebron and his teammates during their quest of a national title.

7. I’m Ballin’
Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em; Produced by Hamsquad
Upon reading the song title and featured artist you should already know what to expect from this track. With production from Hamsquad that fits Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em’s typical style, he proceeds to drop lyrics concerning his economic status as the song title implies. Nothing really special with this track other than the fact that Soulja Boy and Gucci Mane are starting to sound like the same person on tracks with the identical flow/style, subpar lyrics, and limited content matter. Once again other than commercial purposes, I don’t really see why this track was included on this soundtrack, and it’s status serves more towards LeBron in his current status more than how he was during his high school days before endorsements and contracts.

8. We Ready
Ya Boy; Produced by Harvey Mason, Jr.
After the previous lacking track, this track brings things back up for the soundtrack featuring Ya Boy dropping lyrics in regards to being ready for the challenge and task at hand, which for LeBron and his teammates was obviously winning the national title. The production from Harvey Mason, Jr., who executive produces the soundtrack and produced the film, is done in fitting battlefield style that connects well with the song’s topic and the lyrics delivered.

9. Go Hard
Hayes; Produced by Jerome Harmon
Continuing with the theme of persistence and determination, Hayes delivers a track in motivational style about pushing on and not stopping when met with opposition. The track’s production from Jerome Harmon, who also contributed to “Venus vs. Mars” on Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3, is a synth filled, organ driven beat that pushes and supplements Hayes’ lyrics and subject matter to a higher level.

10. Frozen
Jared Evans; Produced by Jared Evans
This track features artist Jared Evans both behind the mic and behind the boards as he delivers lyrics over subtle production about being stuck or “frozen” in a place of misfortune and adversity while trying to make it through. The track connects on a level with the movie and how the team must have felt when things just weren’t going as they expected or wanted them to.

11. If You Dream
Tank featuring Tyrese, Toni Braxton, Jordin Sparks, Omarion, Faith Evans, JoJo, Charlie Wilson, Tamar Braxton & Steve Russell; Produced by Harvey Mason, Jr., Durrell ‘Tank’ Babbs & J. Valentine
A truly inspirational song in terms of song topic/title, lyrics, and production, featuring an all-star casts of R&B/Soul artists to bring the album to a close. The piano driven production on this song perfectly match the topic of never quitting and giving up on your dreams to accomplish your goals in the end. This song is probably the best match on the album in terms of capturing the movie’s story and plot in a single song, and it does a great job in delivering that aspect. This song alone should make any listener eager to go see More Than A Game in theaters.

Bottom Line:
In terms of doing what a soundtrack is supposed to do in complimenting the film, Music Inspired By More Than A Game does that efficiently. While there were a couple tracks (“Drop It Low”, “I’m Ballin’”) that felt out of place and didn’t really relate to the film’s story, a good number (“If You Dream”, “Stronger”, “History”) of them conveyed that story with great results. Listening to this album gives you a feel and understanding of the trials and tribulations that LeBron and his teammates had to deal with on their way to the top in being the best high school basketball team in the nation in 2003. Those that continually hate on LeBron James as an accomplished NBA basketball player can truly see the passion, hard work, and dedication to the thing he loved most in the game of basketball and hopefully get a better understanding of everything that he overcame in the process to becoming one of the best rising stars in NBA history from his high school journey. The often sports related quote “there’s no I in team” is best exemplified with the More Than A Game documentary as it shows as a team they could take on the world and accomplish that which couldn’t be achieved individually. How basketball movies like Hoop Dreams, Sunset Park, Coach Carter, and The Heart Of The Game served as inspiration for those with dreams of one day making it to a career the NBA, More Than A Game continues that tradition for kids all over with posters of LeBron, Kobe, and Wade over their walls. Get to theaters and see More Than A Game as well as picking up this soundtrack even if your aspirations lay elsewhere other than basketball. This is a documentary and soundtrack that provides inspiration and motivation to dreams of all kinds.

nappyPicks: “Forever”, “Stronger”, “History”, “Top Of The World”, “If You Dream”, “Go Hard”, “King On Set”, “Frozen”

Download: Tank feat. Tyrese, Toni Braxton, Jordin Sparks, Omarion, Faith Evans, JoJo, Charlie Wilson, Tamar Braxton, & Steve Russell – “If You Dream”

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”

Sorry for the delay on the Nelly album review, but it’s finally here. Before the festivities begin for my 21st b-day today, I’m gonna see what Nelly has to offer with his latest release. It’s been four years since Nelly’s last album release Sweatsuit, which received good reviews and put some nice numbers in terms of sales. A lot of people are wondering if Nelly still has what it takes to deliver a quality album with classic songs as he was done so many times in the past. Does Brass Knuckles deliver that knockout punch or does it just come up lame, let’s take a listen…

U Ain’t Him
Featuring Rick Ross; Produced by Adam “Wyshmaster” Cherrington
If it was Nelly’s plan to start this album off the right way with a banger, then he did just that with this track. The beat provided by Adam “Wyshmaster” Cherrington is definitely knockin’ and has that impact feel to it that’s just right for an album’s opening track. Nelly’s opening verse is dead on and shows that he hasn’t lost a step since his last album release. Rick Ross spits a nice verse for his guest appearance, but I find it a little funny that he’s featured on this track talking about people who try to be something they’re not and his whole fiasco regarding his past as a correctional officer. Besides that fact this is a good track and it sets the pace for the rest of the album to come. I could see this track being a single off the album and having a nice video to accompany it.

Hold Up
Featuring T.I. & LL Cool J; Produced by Free Agents
Nelly keeps the energy and power going from the first track to this one, which features ATL legend T.I. and Hip-Hop icon LL Cool J trading verses over a fever pitched beat produced by the Free Agents. Nelly does his thing on the first verse and LL Cool J spit some decent bars on the third verse, but I think T.I. steals the show with his verse. This beat/song seems to fit T.I. more than it does Nelly, but regardless of that it still works nicely and I could see this song being more of a single than the first track. That Paper Trail album is looking to be a nice one (at least better than T.I. vs. T.I.P.) and LL’s album Exit 13 was a bit average but still good nonetheless.

L.A.
Featuring Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg; Produced by Ron “Neff-U” Feemster
On this West Coast style track Nelly keeps his flow simplistic and his lyrics come off somewhat basic. I think Nelly could have come better than what he did with the rhymes, but I guess he was trying to keep it flowing with the smoothly laced beat by Ron “Neff-U” Feemster (he certainly got the rhyme scheme down with the “L.A.” ending on every line). Nate Dogg gives this song that classic West Coast vibe with his crooning towards the end of the track (big support to the big homie Nate Dogg after hearing he suffered his 2nd stroke) and Snoop Dogg is a nice addition to the song’s chorus, but he should have definitely had a verse on this track. Snoop would have definitely been more fitting over the beat than Nelly and would have made the track more appealing. That was the biggest flaw that I noticed with this track, but it was still a nice track.

Long Night
Featuring Usher; Produced by James “JLack” Lackey
After two fast paced songs and one laid back track to start off the album, Nelly decides to slow things down with this late night vibe track featuring recent Platinum plaque R&B superstar Usher on the hook. This song features Nelly kicking those typical rhymes about him and the honey of his choosing (presumably Ashanti) hooking up for a late night session. Nelly does a nice job with the rhymes as they fit the topic and Usher provides a fitting chorus for the song. This song does its job and keeps the album flowing along nicely.

Lie
Featuring St. Lunatics & Keri Hilson; Produced by Polow Da Don
Nelly keeps that slow vibe going with this next track that is produced by Polow Da Don who supplies the production on four tracks on this album. This song which talks about females in their lying and deceitful ways is tackled by Nelly and his hometown crew the St. Lunatics. The lyrics by the artists on this track are average at best and aren’t anything spectacular. The chorus receives a nice addition of Keri Hilson (#1 on my Hot List) and she fits well with the song.

Party People
Featuring Fergie; Produced by Polow Da Don
This track, I am sure everybody has heard since its release back in April and in being featured on Fergie’s deluxe edition of The Dutchess. This song was the lead single for this album and it was a good selection to be the lead single. The beat produced by Polow Da Don was a sure fire hit and had the clubs jumpin’ when it came on. Nelly spits some great rhymes on this track especially the double time rhyming that he did on his second verse. Fergie’s addition to this track just makes it complete as she brings that same vibe and energy that she displayed on her hit “London Bridge”.

Self-Esteem
Featuring Chuck D; Produced by G. Koop
On this track Nelly decides to hit us with a song of a more positive, uplifting style as he incorporates Hip-Hop great Chuck D of the legendary group Public Enemy. I like the lyrics that Nelly provides on this track as they really make sense and touch on a lot of topics/issues going on in the world today. The chorus is also a nice touch to the song as he states, “I think I…naw I know I can”. Chuck D delivers his rhymes in only the powerful way that he can and his words of wisdom at the end of the track are a good addition.

Body On Me
Featuring Akon & Ashanti; Produced by Akon & Giorgio Tuinfort
This track was the next single released for the album that features both Akon and Ashanti. This track has a single feel to it and I can see why it was selected, but I think it’s just an average track at best. Nelly delivers rhymes that are fitting to the topic and Akon comes through on the chorus. Ashanti is featured on this track, but you don’t really hear much from her as much as you do Akon. The beat provided by the duo of Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort is a nice production, but as I said before this track is just average at its best.

Steppin’ On My J’z
Featuring Ciara & Jermaine Dupri; Produced by Jermaine Dupri
I remember when I first heard this song as it was performed live at the 2008 BET Awards. As I was watching the performance I immediately thought that the song would be one of the single for Nelly’s upcoming album and sure enough it was as the third single. The beat produced by Jermaine Dupri is somewhat basic as it sounds sort of like “Grillz”, which JD produced on Nelly’s previous album Sweatsuit. That’s not a good thing that it sounds similar to that song and it seems as though Nelly is shooting to get the same response that he got from “Air Force Ones”. I don’t think this song is gonna garner near the same response or support as that song did, plus I doubt that MJ is sponsoring this at all (good effort though Nelly). Ciara really doesn’t fit on this song and her addition sounds a bit out of place. This song is average to me and doesn’t really catch my attention much as a single. Besides, I don’t even rock J’z anymore (the last pair I purchased were the original black Jordan XIV, the ones that he took the “final shot” in to beat the Utah Jazz in ’98…classics!).

Let It Go (Lil’ Mama)
Featuring Pharrell Williams; Produced by The Neptunes
This track features that trademark sound produced by The Neptunes as you can recognize it as soon as you hear it with the synthesizers and congo drums in the background. This is track comes of as sort of boring and bland as the production can start to drag on after listening for a while and Nelly’s lyrics are too simplistic. This song would be more fitting on a Neptunes’ album with Pharrell spittin’ rhymes and Nelly as the featured guest cause it doesn’t quite work the other way around.

One And Only
Produced by Polow Da Don
On this track, which is produced by Polow Da Don, we hear Nelly ditching the rhymes and choosing to bless us with his vocals instead. The only question that I have to ask is “Why?”…I mean really what would make Nelly think he needed to skip rapping on this track and decide to sing (as we only hear rapping towards the end of the song). Nelly does not do a good job with the singing on this track and this should be the last time that he decides to sing on any track. Leave that for the R&B artists that actually know how to sing and stick to the ‘one and only’ thing you should be doing….RAPPING (you’re a rapper!!!!). This song is a definite skip for me and this will probably be the only time that I listen to this track.

Chill
Featuring St. Lunatics; Produced by Adam “Wyshmaster” Cherrington
Nelly decides to bring the tempo of the album back up with this track that has a nice beat produced by Adam “Wyshmaster” Cherrington. This is Nelly’s posse cut as he spits rhymes with his crew the St. Lunatics and they fit well with the beat provided. While again they don’t spit anything amazing or quotable, they manage to deliver a nice track even though the track does start to drag in being the longest track on the album.

Who Fucks Wit Me
Featuring Avery Storm; Produced by Boom-Batt Productions
This track sees Nelly teaming up again with Avery Storm from their nice collaboration on Rick Ross’ single “Here I Am”. The production on this track by Boom-Batt Productions is nice as it features an acoustic guitar, which sets the mood for the song. Nelly spits some nice rhymes on this track talking about how nobody is on his level when it comes to what he does, and I’m glad to hear Avery Storm doing the singing on this track opposed to Nelly as we heard on the previous track.

Ucud Gedit
Featuring Gucci Mane & R. Kelly; Produced by Polow Da Don
This track really sounds like it should have been a bonus track if anything on this album. The album would have ended nicely with 13 tracks cause this track is really just average. Polow Da Don supplies a nice beat for the track, but as far as the lyrics from the artists that’s another story. Nelly spits some decent rhymes and R. Kelly is in his typical form in sounding how he has lately on featured tracks. But Gucci Mane on the chorus is something that I just can’t bare to listen to. I really don’t understand how he appeals to people when his lyrics are awful and you can barely understand what he’s even saying. This track would have to be a skip for me and this wasn’t the best way to close the album.

Bottom Line:
Overall, I think that this is a good offering from Nelly in his fifth album. With it being four years since his last album release in Sweatsuit, I think this album showed that Nelly hasn’t lost his touch and he can still deliver when it’s time to. This album had a mix of good songs (“Hold On”, “U Ain’t Him”, “Self-Esteem”), average songs (“L.A.”, “Long Night”, “Lie”), and horrible songs (“U Can Get It”, “One And Only”), but the one thing that it was missing was any classic songs. Nelly has been known to deliver memorable songs as hear on his previous albums like “Country Grammar (Hot Shit)”, “Hot In Herre”, and “Grillz”, but there were absolutely no songs of that caliber on this album and that’s a very important aspect especially in terms of Nelly and his track record. That aspect would have made this album that much better, but the result of no songs like that leaves this album lacking. Nelly will see some decent numbers in terms of sales for this album, but they won’t be close to topping any of his previous albums. Unless you’re a die hard Nelly fan, you’d probably be better purchasing individual tracks on iTunes. (Now on to the big party for my big 2-1…gotta get my grown man on now, time to retire the XXL t-shirts and baggy jeans)

nappyPicks: “Hold Up”, “Self-Esteem”, “U Ain’t Him”, “L.A.”, “Long Night”, & “Lie”

Download: Nelly feat. LL Cool J & T.I. – “Hold Up”