This is another decent Slim Thug project. It has more of a sex/love theme than usual, dropping a day after V-Day, but there really aren't any surprises. You know what you're getting with Thug - More than decent bangin' beats and him with his usual commanding flow. Lyrically there isn't anything too interesting though. Best Tracks: Shopping Sprees, Life So Good, One Last Dance

The debut album that Canibus seemed is disown isn't as bad as he claimed. He blamed Wyclef who executively produced the album and produced tracks: 1, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14. "Wall of Sound's Oliver Wang felt that Wyclef Jean and Jerry Wonda's pop-sounding production didn't suit Canibus' tight flow and dark lyricism and preferred Clark Kent, Salaam Remi and LG as being a perfect match for his content". I agree that the other producers sounds suit him more, but I don't think there is much in it or that there is ever much of a poppy sound at all. Intro - Nothing much to say about this skit. Patriots - Not the best way to start a debut album. It's a decent song but nothing to rush back to. It lacks a chorus. Look at his second album with 'The C-Quel' and '2000 B.C.' That's how you'd expect Bis to kick it off. Get Retarded - This is better in all areas. The contrast between the verses and chorus stand out. The production is more interesting. The hook will get caught in your head. Niggonometry - Above decent production and theme but it lacks a hook you can vibe along to. Second Round K.O. - The hard-hitting diss against LL Cool J. Mike Tyson offers some words of encouragement as an intro before the intro to the song, but then some of it is almost repeated as the song begins. It's poorly put together. Again, it lack a proper chorus. What's Going On - Great boom bap with Canibus questioning what the hell is going on with people like mothers in the club when they should be home with their children and gun violence which is the main theme. I Honor U - Canibus' dedication track to his mother that so many hip hop artists have. The difference here is that it tells the story of the sperm racing, the egg being fertilized and the fetus developing. This has a bit of a pop feel that the review I mentioned alludes to, but the change up between the poppy hook with the verses works well. It's just hovering under the best tracks. Hype-Nitis - This one has a softer sound too but again works well. It's about fake friends who only wanna be close when you are doing well. It's another story often told by rappers but Canibus adds some originally as usual. How We Roll - The only song without Canibus as a co-producer with Clark Kent the producer. Panama P.I., the guy on the chorus, sounds like he is doing a Busta Rhymes impression. I thought it was Busta until I checked the credits. Channel Zero - One of the more interesting tracks lyrically with Canibus sharing stories of government corruption and secrecy. Nice production too. Let's Ride - This isn't a Wyclef production but is maybe another one that the critic was alluding to, however, the vibey production works well. It's just brag rap and an excuse to drop punchlines. Buckingham Palace - "My lyrics invade Europe like Joseph Stalin and murder niggas for rhyming/Spittin' fire with gasoline for saliva/As drunk as Lady Diana's driver with reporters behind her." Rip Rock - As you may guess from the title, this is rap-rock. It's not one I've gone back to. How Come - "The federal communications commission/Listens to politicians in the position to make certain decisions/Like putting minorities in prison/To decimating the population of women, it's called socialism" - Damn! Wyclef produced this with Jerry Duplessis and Canibus sounds great over it. Thematically it feels somewhat like the earlier 'What's Going On'. As I've said a few times, the chorus is lacking and again isn't something catchy. It's said that Canibus is an amazing rapper but can't make songs. I've said it myself when reviewing some of his albums and some songs on here do back up that opinion. It lacks enough amazing moments, and interesting hooks, but the consistency isn't an issue. 'Rip Rock' aside, there is nothing unlikeable. A lowish 3.5/5. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★☆ Best Tracks: Get Retarded, Second Round K.O., What's Going On, Channel Zero, How Come

Big Moe's 'City of Syrup' has a solid reputation anywhere you look but I'm not feeling this one too much. Some of the production is poor and some of the features like Z-Ro steal the show from Big Moe who never impresses me. While 'Maan!' bangs to a certain extent, it tries to be Black Rob's 'Whoa!' but is not as catchy or as well produced. The skits are uninteresting, too long and make the album feel bloated. 'Payin' Dues' borrows from Santana's 'Maria, Maria' and Wham!'s 'Careless Whisper' but it doesn't work too well and sounds amateurish as does some of the other production. Best Tracks: We Da Shit, I'll Do It, I Wonder, X (time) 4 Change

Being an '80s hip hop album this sounds a lot like I'd expect it to and that isn't a great thing. The production features fairly minimalist drums with some sampling thrown in as the melody on many of the tracks. Tone is okay, but the rapping including some of the lyrics are a far cry from the best of them. Beats: ★★★ Rapping/Bars: ★★★ Hooks: ★★☆ Best Tracks: On Fire (Remix), Cutting Rhythms, Next Episode, Cheeba Cheeba, Lōc'in on the Shaw

What you've got here is some enjoyable mainstream R&B. While lacking a great song, ('Breathe' could be argued to fit into that category), the consistency is quite high from go to whoa with a number of different sounds present. Blu's mum was a jazz singer and that come-up shows on some songs. This album does interestingly have three songs from her debut; 'Hit 'Em Up Style (Ooops!)', 'All You Had to Say' and 'Swingin'', that is odd to see. Perhaps it was to try to capitalise on the success of 'Breathe'. Surprisingly, after being nominated for best R&B album at the Grammys and having the hit, 'Breathe, minus a single and mixtape or two, this was the last we've heard from Blu. If you enjoy the '90s/early '00s sounding R&B, that is a genre that doesn't seem to exist in the mainstream anymore, this and her debut are worth checking out. Best Tracks: I Love You, Sleep in the Middle, Breathe (Rap Version), Hit 'Em Up Style (Ooops!), Don't Wanna Say Goodbye, All You Had to Say, Holding on to Love, Swingin'