Ludaversal 2015 Album

Ludacris

My revisiting of Ludacris' albums is complete! I consider 'Battle of the Sexes' as a spinoff album from Ludacris' discography, so this was his first real album from him for 7 years since 'Theater of the Mind'. All of Ludacris' albums begin with just some hard spitting and we have it here again. It doesn't match his best openers but is still decent. 'Grass Is Always Greener' sees Luda rapping about the yin and yang/pros and cons of life. "Did some movies and started missing this rap shit/Back to rap then starting missing them movies." The "fly fly butterfly" part is a kind of meh, but the content and verses are compelling enough to be worth repeated listens. 'Call Ya Bluff'' is harder with more brag rap that Ludacris has often done. Catchy dope hook on this one that you'll be rapping along with the second time you hear it. It's one of the best on the album. 'Lyrical Healing' is a short song with one minute of more brag rap that continues on 'Beast Mode' that features lots of punchlines. It's just three minutes of bars, and is also another strong song. Enjoyable production and spitting. Next, the stupid immature skits are back from Luda with the 'Viagra Skit' where a man with priapism calls for help but doesn't receive the desired response. 'Get Lit' is another pro-drinking song to add to Luda's catalogue. The production is the least likeable of the songs so far, but the rapping is entertaining. This is my least favourite on the disc. Given how talented they both are, the KRIT collaboration doesn't live up to the hype. It's okay but it's unmemorable with the content being uninteresting, the hook not particularly catchy, and it's one of the most average songs here. I may like some songs less than this, but this really just comes and goes. The next three songs feature well known R&B singers. Content wise, 'Ocean Skies' is the most interesting with it being about his deceased father's passing and alcoholism. The souly Usher assisted 'Not Long' is the best of them though. The more poppy songs here are much less extreme than on 'Theater of Mind' and are better songs. Most of 'Charge It to the Rap Game' is about the shady parts of the rap game. Lyrically it keeps me entertained with Luda being honest about rappers talking shit but the production isn't good enough to make this one of the best on the album. The standard version finishes with 'This Has Been My World' that samples Michael Jackson's 'Human Nature'. It's a strong finish here where Ludacris celebrates his life and career for some positivity after the previous song. The deluxe edition then has four songs from the 'Burning Bridges' EP. "Money' with Rick Ross is the best of them. Ludacris raps about cash being the root of all evil and the problems that have come with his wealth. "I'm gettin' sued by my own family member (what?)/All cause my dog bit her/And she was the one who walked up and put her hand out." It's okay, but Rick's verse has no energy coming off Ludacris' that hurts the song a touch. 'Burning Bridges' sounds like it's trying too hard and doesn't pull it off to be great. They are all good tracks though. In comparison to his previous projects, it continues from 'Release Therapy' to have more serious content. It's definitely more consistent than 'Theater of Mind', and to be honest, most of his albums, but the high points are nowhere near his best. And for that reason rating and ordering albums is always difficult. How much weight is given to the amazing moments? How much do we take off if a few songs stink? From checking out his discography over the last couple of weeks, I will eventually come up with my definitive top list of Luda songs, but for now, I don't think any of these make a top 30 list. As I type this in 2022, it looks like 'Ludaversal' may be Luda's last ever album. If that is true, it is a decent way to go out. His rapping was still incredibly engaging, it's a consistent body of work with plenty of songs to enjoy lyrically, and the production is nice enough. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★★★ Best Tracks: Call Ya Bluff, Beast Mode, This Has Been My World, Money Songs ordered (best-worst): Call Ya Bluff ★★★★ This Has Been My World ★★★★ Money ★★★★ Beast Mode ★★★★ Burning Bridges ★★★☆ Not Long ★★★☆ Grass Is Always Greener ★★★☆ Ocean Skies ★★★☆ Charge It to the Rap Game ★★★☆ Problems ★★★☆ In My Life ★★★☆ Ludaversal (Intro) ★★★ Good Lovin ★★★ Come and See Me ★★★ Lyrical Healing ★★★ Come and See Me (Interlude) ★★★ Get Lit ★★ Viagra (Skit)