Revisiting November 2022 Review: As is always the case for a Ludacris album, it kicks off with some aggressive bars over a hard beat. The Austin Powers themed 'Number One Spot' is still entertaining. How tough is it not to scream the "Get back motherfucker/You don't know me like that!" refrain in the chorus of 'Get Back' that feels like a cousin of 'Stand Up'? Impossible is the answer!
Given that it features another icon in DMX, 'Put Your Money' is the first disappointing moment and isn't one I've felt like repeating. X is only on the repetitive hook... Why have him and not have a verse? I don't know either. 'Blueberry Yum Yum' is the obligatory weed song and isn't a badly put together one with somewhat of a fresh sound.
'Child of the Night' has always been one of, if not my favourite, Ludacris song. Nate Dogg joins forces again but this time it's better than 'Area Codes'. The chorus, production, verses. All dope! '
'Potion', that is Timbaland staying very much in his lane, isn't his best but isn't bad to hear as you play through the album. 'Pass Out' continues with somewhat of an electro feel and is about the same quality.
Then 'Spur of the Moment' hits that is one of Luda's best tracks, and while it features DJ Quik, and sounds so much like a Quik beat, it's credited to LT Moe. You can't listen to this uplifting track and not feel good. It feels a bit like Pac's 'Heartz of Men'.
'Who Not Me' is a decent, hard-hitting 'fuck you' kind of song. And then 'Large Amounts', that samples 'You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two' from 'Oliver', sees Ludacris spit about getting rich and those after his money. This is a common theme on rappers' albums once they get big, but he does it in a way that is still interesting. 'Pimpin All Over the World' is another okay pop-rap Luda and Bobby V collaboration, but the best of them comes on Bobby's solo albums.
Perhaps motivated by his part in the Fast & Furious franchise, 'Two Miles an Hour' is another I missed talking about in my previous listens. I recently heard the remix, that just adds some featuring artists, on 'Ludacris Presents...Disturbing Tha Peace', label album and it was one of my favourites there. It loses nothing by just having Luda on it. Based on the lack of plays this has on Spotify, many are missing out on this catchy track. 'Hopeless' is also one worth playing again with more of a social/conscious message. I like how the lyrics don't just state "whitey bad" and look at it from more than one dimension that many rappers don't do.
I've never loved the Nas and Doug E. Fresh assisted 'Virgo' and the rock remix of 'Get Back' doesn't do anything for me to finish the album.
Like 'Chicken - N - Beer' this is one I enjoy more than my rating from many years ago suggests and have increased it. It follows on from the aforementioned album by again having a more diverse sound than his first couple and also having more high moments to add to a best of Ludacris playlist. I think the weaker few here are poorer than the ones on 'Chicken - N - Beer' though.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★★
Hooks: ★★★☆
Best Tracks: Number One Spot, Get Back, Child of the Night, Spur of the Moment, Two Miles an Hour, Hopeless
Songs ordered (best-worst):
Child of the Night ★★★★★
Spur of the Moment ★★★★★
Get Back ★★★★☆
Two Miles an Hour ★★★★
Number One Spot ★★★★
Hopeless ★★★☆
Intro ★★★☆
Large Amounts ★★★☆
The Potion ★★★
Virgo ★★★
Pimpin' All Over the World ★★★
Blueberry Yum Yum ★★★
Who Not Me ★★★
Pass Out ★★☆
Put Your Money ★★
Get Back (Rock Version) ★☆
Skit (N/A)
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Original review: Like most Ludacris albums, this features a couple of really good tracks but plenty of forgettable moments as well. It begins with a fiery intro, an interesting second track, sampling the Austin Powers theme, a banger 'Number One Spot', and the variation continues from there. With a bunch of producers, there is no theme present and the production switches between hardcore hip hop, funk, electro (thanks to Timbaland on 'The Potion') and pop/R&B joints. It wouldn't be a problem if they were dope, but there isn't enough great stuff here. There is also a generic song about blacks' plight with 'Hopeless'. To this day he remains as one of the captivating vets to never make an amazing album.
Best Tracks: Number One Spot, Child of the Night, Spur of the Moment
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