Sometimes I think Ja Rule wouldn�t have a career if the word �baby� didn�t exist. Irv Gotti wants hits, and his roster seems egger to deliver. As long as they stay within their proven formulaic parameters. There are not any �great� songs on this album, period. Judging by the album title maybe Ja Rule sees originality as temptation. And he�s just not having it. Bernie Mack returns as Remo, and this album has even managed to suck the funny out of Mr. Mack. Damn.
Ja Rule wrote �Mesmerize� with Ashanti from page 14 in his Hit Manual (aka songs that radio listeners and 9th graders will love). And in classic Rule style has the word �baby� used 36 times. But on the upside the album has some decent moments. Even �Mesmerize� is ok, if you can deal with Ja Rules� voice. The best though is �Pop Niggas� a Neptunes produced track. Which was taken from page 2 of the aforementioned manual, sounding like �Holla Holla�. But it�s good ride music, along with songs like �The Warning� where this album sorta shines. The song �Emerica� is too corny for it�s own good. I do like �Thug Lovin�� with Bobby Brown. He is not the King of R&B. Don�t Be Cruel may still be the jam, but Whitney get a grip. D.S. rating 4.9 |
