This is a mixed bag but is worth checking out for the best it offers. It starts strong and has a tail that contains some of the best tracks, but there are a number of songs in the middle, many with some hip hop influence, that aren't quite good enough. Best Tracks: Superstar, Thank You (Single Edit), See It in a Boy's Eyes, Life, Antidote

Nelly provides vocals with a melodic singing/rapping flow, but it doesn't change for the entirety of the songs making them get boring and the skip button receiving some pressure. There are some decent choruses that help some of the songs, but nothing is to a high enough level to save the verses. On the other hand, then there are lyrics on hooks like on the title track - "Shimmy, shimmy cocoa, what?". I can't sing along to that... It's a similar case with the chorus of 'E.I.'. 'Steal the Show' is like a posse track with basically five minutes of rapping backed by a beat that sounds reminiscent of Juvenile's 'Ha' with other songs giving off that Mannie Fresh production vibe as well. When the production brings some soul, and is quite likeable, like when it is sampling One Way's 'Don't Stop (Ever Loving Me)' on 'Luven Me', Nelly uses a verse to just shout out people making that song lose the momentum it created earlier. Maybe this was a new sound when it dropped which is why it did so well, and why it still has a decent rating, but there is nothing at all I like too much on this disc with a lot of the songs getting boring before they're done. I prefer his follow up, Nellyville. Beats: ★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★ Hooks: ★★☆ Best Tracks: Ride Wit Me, E.I., Tho Dem Wraps, Batter Up, Luven Me

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