Back for the First Time 2000 Album

Ludacris

I'm revisiting Ludacris' discography from his first project. Overall this is more consistent than I remembered with some original production, reminding me a touch of what Juvenile used to rap over, and Luda rapping with his signature mic presence and dope voice as he has his whole career. The weakness here for me is the topics on hand. Sex, brag rap, repping yo' city, etc. There is nothing that exciting. Ludacris presents it all in an entertaining enough way. Choruses like 'Ho' is one example of some creativity with a tired topic, but after a number of playthroughs, you won't be leaving with anything to think about or remember. The worst moments are 'What's Your Fantasy' and the remix. I don't like the production much. 'Get Off Me' is okay. 'Mouthing Off' is Luda and 4-Ize over beatboxing that has some humorous lines but isn't one I'll rush back to. The final song on some versions, 'Phat Rabbit', originally found on Timbaland's 'Tim’s Bio: Life from da Bassment', is one of the weaker songs too. Everything else is decent-good, but a lot of the songs probably just have too much of a similar vibe to them to help the songs find more of their own lane in amongst the album. 'Catch' Up is my favourite from this, with 'Southern Hospitality' probably next in line, but the album doesn't have an amazing song either stopping it from receiving a higher rating. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Game Got Switched, 1st & 10, Hood Stuck, Ho, Catch Up, Southern Hospitality Songs ordered (best-worst): Southern Hospitality ★★★★ Catch Up ★★★★ Game Got Switched ★★★☆ Hood Stuck ★★★☆ 1st & 10 ★★★☆ Ho ★★★☆ U Got a Problem? ★★★ Stick 'Em Up ★★★ Mouthing Off ★★★ Get Off Me ★★☆ Phat Rabbit ★★☆ What's Your Fantasy ★★☆ What's Your Fantasy (Remix) ★★☆ Tickets Sold Out (Skit) Come on Over (Skit) Ho (Skit)