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| 504 Boyz- Ballers: It's tempting to think of the 504 Boyz as the hip-hop version of the Baha Men, doing for rap what that ensemble did for Caribbean music. This "new No Limit" collective adds infectiously chanted vocals, juicy production and huge radio-ready, pop-friendly hooks to the hip-hop template, so that even those who think they don't like hip-hop may well be drawn in. On BALLERS, the seven-strong posse tosses the vocals around from one member to another in the finest collective spirit. No one member is given undue focus over another, but the ensemble feel created by this collectivist approach lends itself well to the no-holds-barred approach to production employed by Master P and his cohorts. 6 OUT OF 10 |
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| Missy Elliott- Under Construction: Between the wide ranging effects of the September 11th terrorist attacks and losses of a more personal nature, Missy Elliott turned UNDER CONSTRUCTION into a project that simultaneously found her getting her lyrical freak on as well as trying to take everyone back to hip-hop's earlier, more carefree times. Teaming up yet again with creative soulmate Timbaland, Missy alternates between pumping up breakbeats and multiple sexual entendres on the immensely catchy single "Work It" and parading various hip-hop and R&B partners--all of whom serve as perfect foils to this enormously talented Virginia native. Jay-Z mixes it up on the nostalgia-laced "Back In The Day", Beyonce Knowles gets scolded for not going out with the gals thanks to a controlling boyfriend on "Nothing Out There For Me" and Method Man weighs in on the insistent "Bring The Pain." Most apparent throughout CONSTRUCTION is how much Missy wears her heart on her sleeve. The best examples include "Go To The Floor," a spoken-word plea for peace, and "Can You Hear Me," a heartfelt duet with TLC dedicated to Aaliyah and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. 8.25 OUT OF 10 |
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| UGK- Side Hustles: This Dirty South duo talks about sporting "alligator shoes with the belts to match" on the opening track of SIDE HUSTLES, making it clear from the start that they're all about the pimp/gangsta lifestyle. Pimp C and Bun B have been around the block long enough to qualify as OG's; SIDE HUSTLES marks their tenth anniversary as recording artists, and the album shows the skills and experience they've gained along the way. Many of the tracks have appeared on other albums, like "Down With Us" with Scarface, "Dirty, Dirty" with Mil and "Cigarette". Never the less the songs are banging and show UGK's diverse guest appearance. The slow, funky beats and hearty, soulful raps that have always been a trademark are found in abundance here, bolstered by plenty of production smarts and just the right touch of gangsta attitude for the hardcore faithful. 8 OUT OF 10 |