Very solid debut LP from Blast, and while every track isn't great, most are quality, and since getting this LP, it hasn't been turned off. One of my favourite of 2006. Musically, while not really un-generic, it offers something different and tries to mix it up a bit in most tracks and the producers do a good job. Also, the tracks have been sequenced in an order where there is one really good track, and then an okay one, which helps with the enjoyment because there are never two average tracks in a row. Many people would probably call this generic c-rap, but if you are into southern hip hop and are more of the beat man than a lyrical one, this is worth checking out. 'Texas Keep It Trill' with the Scarface feature is dope. Best Tracks: Intro (Unexpected), Hood Rich, How We Ride, Texas Keep It Trill, Come To Chicago

At long last DMX returns. It has been six years since his previous album, which by many is considered to be his weakest. - I think it bangs though. There was lots of talk about his next album being a double release, titled 'Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later', then changed to 'Redemption of the Beast' and now we are given Undisputed. DMX has always been one of my favourite artists since I got into the genre, so I was hoping that after many years out of the game, where he has faced a plethora of legal issues, that he could return with a bang. While I don't think X was ever hooked up with the greatest producers, it's his originality and never taking a backward step style that has led to him creating many fantastic hip hop songs, be them about struggle, violence or religion. My first problem with this album is that he has put a few songs on this that leaked years ago. 'What They Don't Know', 'Already' and 'Ya'll Don't Really Know' were on the unofficial 'Walk With Me Now (The Prequel)', and 'I Don't Dance' has been released as well in a slightly different version. I like many of these tracks, but most artists, knowing that songs have been on the internet for years, would have come up with some new songs. It's easy and common for the ageist hip hop community to say that an artist isn't as hungry or can't rap anymore just because some time has passed, when in reality not a lot has changed. This is the case for DMX, where vocally and lyrically I don't think X has changed much. He has maintained his deep gritty voice, the lyrics are the same sort of thing I mentioned earlier and on songs like 'Frankenstein' he shows that he hasn't lost step with a high tempo. Overall though, while I don't think the beats are bad, many of the beats don't seem as crisp as a hip hop legend like X deserves. Perhaps they don't sound like something from 2012... Overall, there is enough here to like. There is some classic emotional X with 'I Get Scared' and 'Slippin' Again', the obligatory prayer, and the harder anthems such as 'What They Don't Know' and 'Ya'll Don't Really Know' pretty much hit the spot. I expect this to receive a mixed reception but forgetting a handful of these songs have been heard before it's a solid comeback. 3.5-3/5 Best Tracks: What They Don't Know, I Get Scared, Slippin' Again, I'm Back, Have You Eva, Frankenstein, Ya'll Don't Really Know, I Got Your Back

Say what you will about The Game, but apart from maybe Canibus, not many would attempt and pull off a track like '300 Bars'. As with another mixtape from The Game, 'Stop Snitchin Stop Lyin', this CD is packed with disses toward G-Unit and Co, over well known beats. One of Game's biggest strengths in his time in hip hop has been choosing good beats, and many classics are picked throughout '300 Bars' and this mixtape. It's a mixed bag though as the album loses some heat in the middle, and there are also snippets of tracks like 'Where I'm From' and 'Playa's Only' and others that make this feel a bit like a compilation going back to it years later. Best Tracks: 300 Bars & Runnin', I'm a King, Dreams

This kicks off well with the boppy 'We're Almost There' and 'Take Me Back', with the latter being one of the strongest tunes. Following those is 'One Day in Your Life' that remains one of my favourite songs from MJ and my favourite pre Off the Wall song. It has 13x the plays of pretty much every other song on this album on Spotify. Amazing vocals! From there it's all nice, enjoyable music, without reaching any amazing heights, but not being too far away in a number of cases. 'Dapper Dan' is the only thing I skip. If you like Michael's voice you should find a number of songs to enjoy on here that showcase it perfectly. We're Almost There ★★★★ Take Me Back ★★★★ One Day in Your Life ★★★★★ Cinderella Stay Awhile ★★★☆ We've Got Forever ★★★★ Just a Little Bit of You ★★★★ You Are There ★★★★ Dapper Dan ★★★ Dear Michael ★★★★ I'll Come Home to You ★★★★ Best Tracks: Take Me Back, One Day in Your Life, Dear Michael, I'll Come Home to You, We've Got Forever

Call me crazy, but I've never gotten the fascination with this man. I think that it's partly due to the format of albums like Donuts and this with the short tracks that make it worse, where songs are over before they begin, and it is easier to make something sound good for one minute as opposed to four. It's very soulful, largely due to being sample heavy, and there's some originality, but as I've said, little grabs me. I see this as being background music, or to be put on while playing a video game or something, but I would never sit at my computer or boom box and chuck this on. Best Tracks: Reality Check, I Told Y'all, Pay Day, Big City