“Trouble”
SRC/Universal
Rating: 4 blunts (out of 5)
Akon’s debut album might as well be called “my diary,” because that’s what it is: an in-depth look inside the life of this African native en route to superstardom. He expresses a solemn and thought-provoking message on songs like “Ghetto” and “Journey.” “Locked Up” sets the tone of the album with the sounds of jail doors slamming in the background behind the resonance of drums in a steady beat. On “Trouble Nobody,” Akon elaborates on his afflicted past: “Even though I done changed my life / Criminal record’s what they judge me by.” The somber tone is quickly uplifted by the cheerful “Bananza (Belly Dancer),” where he implores, “Don’t be shy, girl, go bananza / Shake ya body like a belly dancer.” Akon further proves his versatility throughout the rest of the album, switching his flow on every song. He transforms into a serene singer on “Lonely,” then adopts a rough voice and fast flow for “Gangsta,” spitting lines like, “Sayin’ that they gangsta, Nigga’s spittin’ like they hard but I’m knowing that they pussy from the start.” Influenced and inspired by his father, Mor Thiam, a renowned Djembe drum-playing artist, Akon has created a diary of his past life and present life. He explores the changes he has undergone and the struggles he’s encountered, both with the law and the ladies. His storytelling gift is used masterfully over hot beats and innovative sounds that express his own unique style. Although there are a few lackluster moments, they are easily outnumbered by the fresh sounds and interesting tales. This album allows listeners a profound glimpse inside the mind of this “Troubled” man. – Nada Taha
Lloyd Banks
“The Hunger for More”
Interscope
Rating: 3 1/2 blunts (out of 5)
It’s like an assembly line in a factory; the raw materials move from station to station and end up molded into the same shape at the end. This doesn’t mean that the end result isn’t quality; it just means that the end result isn’t unique. It’s no surprise here that Lloyd Banks debut sounds like it came out of the same assembly line as 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Trying and G-Unit’s Beg for Mercy. Banks picked a good mold to create his album, but why use a mold at all when this G-Unit MC is best known for his nonchalant delivery and grimy metaphors? Banks, who could even overtake 50 lyrically, puts his own creativity aside and decides to follow the set patterns for this 14-track album. Producers include Havoc, Timbaland, K1 Mil, Scram Jones, and of course, Eminem. The MC roster is limited to mostly G-Unit, with appearances coming from Tony Yayo, 50 Cent, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Young Buck, and The Game. Tony Yayo proudly introduces the album with “Ain’t No Click,” where both Yayo and Banks sound perfectly comfortable over a Havoc beat. Even though Banks drops some memorable lines like “Go ‘head, try to do me harm, soldier / And you’ll be in a black bag like grass out in the lawnmower,” Yayo steals the show. The next stop on the album is the already overplayed “On Fire,” and the similarly paced “I’m So Fly.” Timbaland produced this beat, but it doesn’t have the typical Timbaland sound. The next banger is the Eminem-produced “Warrior Pt. 2,” where Banks comes hard and Nate Dogg drops the catchiest hook from this album: “This is a story of a warrior and now you know it / True warriors go ahead and make some noise / It ain’t healthy to be making niggas paranoid / hit your corner with my weapon, I don’t need my boys / I’m doing a hundred twenty in the fast lane / Kick back, just let me do my thang / Don’t give a fuck about you suckers, gotta maintain / Money, power, and respect in this rap game.” New G-Unit arrival The Game makes an appearance on “When the Chips are Down,” and proves why he deserves a spot on Interscope with his verse: “Banks, they think I’m Yayo’s replacement / Nah, I ball, it’s the G-Unit walking through the Matrix / I’m signed to the doctor, and I ain’t got no patience.” Banks himself provides the hook for one of the best tracks on the album, “Til the End.” His monotone delivery fits well with this track. Overall, The Hunger for More is a solid release from Banks, who still has time to break free from the mold of his counterparts. – Rohit Loomba, ctpros@arcaneproductioncompany.com
P-Boy Stone, Lil’ Money
“War Vol. 1”
Rating: 3 blunts (out of 5)
Rappers are notorious for spitting lyrics about drugs, sex, and alcohol, but once in a blue moon there comes an exception. P Boy Stone and Lil’ Money are too busy preaching the word of God. Like many other rappers, P Boy grew up in the hood and became incarcerated. But while in prison, he researched various religions that changed his life. The LP, “War Vol. 1,” is the product of that transformation. He teamed up with his younger brother and created an album that is intended to enlighten the listener, with lyrics like, “To all you vice lords, gangsters, Crips and Bloods / Time to wake the fuck up or forever be screw-ups.” Not only do they discuss their past and how they’ve changed, but with cuts like “Souljahs 4 God” they also speak of the black revolution and those who died for the cause. “We never had to be slaves but we was too scared to fight,” P Boy points out. There are no tracks from Timbaland or The Neptunes, but beat selection is decent. One standout track is the final cut, “Da Boss,” which breaks the monotony. While the message is good, with fifteen tracks that are each five minutes long, the music gets tedious. There are no club bangers, no uptempo songs to lighten the mood. P Boy himself said it best: “R.O.S., it’s a blessing and a curse on us / We come from less, but we bet you it’s some worth in us / Just give us time.” – Nada Taha
Slug Veezy
Off the Chain Vol. 1”
Manopoly Records
The best word to describe this album is “inconsistent.” There are a few standout tracks like “OTC Gorilla” and “Dro,” but then we come across tracks like “Holly Grove” and “Nigga Whutt?” where the vocals are barely audible. Shadow spits in Bone Thugs-N-Harmony style on “6 Feet Deep.” He has potential as a rapper, but the main problem with this cut is that the track doesn’t match the vocals. The track sounds better suited for a love story instead of the clichéd “I’ll bust my gat and bury you six feet deep nigga” type hook. Slug and Lil’ Mama have a hard time keeping up with the Biggie instrumental for “Dead Wrong,” but Slug shows his versatility on the sing-songy “Who Dat.” He flows comfortably over the instrumental for “#1 Stunna,” but still doesn’t come close to matching the quality of the original. The weak hook on “Can’t Be With You” brings down the overall quality of the song, and the simple track and overused concept of “Big Bodies” isn’t impressive. Manopoly Records should invest in some better studio equipment to bring up the quality of their vocals, but aside from the technical issues, there are a few bright moments. – Julia Beverly, jb@ozonemag.com
XL
Album Sampler
CSparks Entertainment
The catch phrase for 2004 is officially “Get Familiar.” Get familiar with Clinton Sparks the hustler. Already a staple in the radio and mixtape game, Clinton is now introducing us to the male R&B group XL (Dave, Jermaine, Scooter, & Jamal). Hosted by Fatman Scoop and of course mixed by Clinton Sparks, we hear all three come together to give us a nice first impression. After Clinton does his thing on the ones and twos for ht eintro, XL touches all the major topics of typical R&B songs: sex, money, drugs, and sex again. On “Gettin’ Right,” thanks to Clinton’s engineering skills, we are blessed with 50 Cent’s 1999 verse from NEXT’s “Jerk.” XL’s “Hate Yourself” is another standout track. Complete with a Pharrell Williams drop, this is a good sampler to hold us over while Clinton and XL finish up the album. – ADG, adg@tmail.com
Dirt Bag
“Eyes Above Water” Album Sampler
Epidemic/Jive
Even though this is an extremely short sampler (running time just under nine minutes), it does its job. DirtBag’s debut is sure to be a banger, with tracks like “Here We Go” produced by none other than Timbaland. Timb lays the vibe for DirtBag to have fun with his flow. Other producers on the upcoming album include Terror Squad’s Cool & Dre and David Banner. – ADG, adg@tmail.com
Lyricist Lounge
“Dirty States Of America”
Throughout the years Lyricist Lounge has been known for putting out solid products, even back when it was based in a studio apartment in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Fourteen years later, the Lounge is still giving us something to talk about. As the soundtrack to the Dirty States of America DVD, this audio CD gives us a little more insight on regional stars like Slim Thug, Tampa Tony, Al Kapone, and Nutt. Slim Thug and E.S.G. come together on the summer banger “Rollin’,” which is sure to create a buzz. Fiend, B.G., and the late Soulja Slim come together to give us a pretty good idea of what a Cash Money / No Limit collaboration would have sounded like in their prime on “Fired Up.” The menacing horns and basic production provides a nice backdrop for all three to flow. Other artists featured on the soundtrack include David Banner, Willie D, JT Money, Reese & Bigalow, and a slew of others. – ADG, adg@tmail.com
Cino G
“Terror On Tape”
Lately, it seems like anybody with a budget thinks they can make a mixtape. Cino G is a prime example. With little to offer musically, this album relies heavily on chant-style songs reminiscent of Three 6 Mafia and teeter-totter style rhyme schemes. Transitions between songs are bizarre; there is no continuity in the project at all. The intro uses a short sample of U.S. civilian administrator Paul Bremer at the press conference minutes after Saddam Hussein’s capture: “We got ‘em!” abruptly after a police chase sample. Elementary at best. With the dime-a-dozen drug anthem, “Niks & Dimes,” we hear Cino rhyme as if he was the inspiration for Scarface and BLOW, offering nothing new. Production is up to par, but when you add so-so hooks and lackluster verses they fail to spark an interest. – ADG, adg@tmail.com
Kamikaze
“2 Broke 2 Ball” Album Sampler
Our Glass Entertainment
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Kamikaze, think back to the late 90’s Mississippi rap duo Crooked Lettaz. Lately the spotlight has been more focused on the other 50%, David Banner, but from the sounds of this sampler Kamikaze has got ‘nuff hits to help shift that spotlight. On the club banger “U Ain’t Hard,” Kamikaze quickly gets to the point and poses the question: “How you gon’ start fights in the club when you ain’t even got your clique / Y’all get jumped right in the club and ya niggas ain’t gon’ do shit.” Mr. Sho-Nuff’s hustler’s anthem is a must for any true working man. On “Hustlin’,” Kamikaze demonstrates his lyrical prowess over an uptempo organ-filled beat. Mississippi has presented us with some talented people over the past few years, and Kamikaze is another one to add to the list. – ADG, adg@tmail.com
