| Reviews |
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| Benzino- Redemption: Benzino's "Redemption" is a boring, forgettable, very, very mediocre cd that just isn't worth your time. There is nothing fresh or innovative here, everything you hear here you've heard a million times prior. But so what? If the music was any good or catchy or anything than it would still be okay, but it's not. The background beats try to hard and end up sounding very bland and wish washy. I think Benzino has a career ahead of him still because he lyrics are fairly fine, but the production of this effort is a total waste as is almost everything that is connected to this cd. If someone could write the songs and they bring it a talented producer than Benzino could go places simply by rhyming, but this just doesn't work. 5 OUT OF 10 |
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| Trina- Diamond Princess: Foxy Brown and Lil' Kim may have the rep of hard-assed rap divas who are equally streetwise and sexy but Miami native Trina ups the ante with her sophomore raunchfest DIAMOND PRINCESS. Originally breaking on the scene as a member of Trick Daddy's posse, this potty-mouthed femme is unapologetic in her ribald approach towards all facets of life. From the opening intro by Sommore where there's enough salty language and references to oral sex to make a biker blush, the tone gets set for the rest of this raunchy ride. Pumped up with plenty of jacked-up beats and an equally biting flow, Trina gives her Rolodex a workout as she recruits numerous big names like Ludacris (the Middle Eastern-flavored "B R Right"), Missy Elliott (an equally exotic "Rewind That Back") and Missy protege Fabolous (the jittery "How We Do?"). Also checking in are soul chanteuse Tweet (the overtly suggestive "No Panties") and pitbull-in-a-skirt Eve (the fierce female empowerment anthem "Ladies 1st"). Just as the title DIAMOND PRINCESS suggests, Trina is a hard-edged jewel that shines with an uncanny brilliance. 7 OUT OF 10 |