I think I know why Puff signed Ma$e. He sounds like him. While people say Shyne sounded like Biggie, Ma$e has the same kind of mundane style Puff has. And while he is an okay rapper, Ma$e doesn't really bring about much emotion or energy to his raps either. The beats are what you'd expect from the era the album comes from, east coast beats with some shine, and while there is nothing horrendous here, there is also nothing that stands out. Even the best here are not amazing. Best Tracks: Do You Wanna Get $?, 24 Hrs to Live

No Limit released mostly rap records, but this is predominantly R&B with some No Limit soldiers thrown in to rap some verses - for which C-Murder does a 2pac impersonation on 'It's Alright'. It's a very laid back album a lot of the time, to the point of becoming somewhat boring too often. Overall, it's alright, but after a couple of spins, I don't think I'll be going back to this. Best Tracks: U Got That Fire, Part 3, Smoke My Life Away, Leave Her Alone

Better than 'Madvillainy' as Doom isn't monotone which makes the beats seem better as well. However, he really isn't a great natural rapper, it definitely sounds forced at times. It always perplexes me when I see people rate him highly as a rapper. If only a great rapper had some of these beats is what I usually feel when listening to him, but as mentioned I don't mind him as much on this album. The beats are good, a touch of soul is mixed in often which works well and they are consistently enjoyable, if not supreme. More satisfying to listen to than I had anticipated, but there aren't enough great moments. 3-3.5/5 Best Tracks: Doomsday, Red & Gold, Dead Bent, Gas Drawls

This may not have the structure and cohesion of 'Fishscale', but I dig the production here a lot more. It just has a more life to it making for more songs with replayability, more variety and the choruses are twice as catchy as well. As far as rap goes these days, it also has a sense of originality in a lot of the tracks. Best Tracks: Ghost Is Back, Greedy B*tches, Grew Up Hard, Blue Armor, You Know I'm No Good, Gotta Hold On, Back Like That (Remix)

Not bad from the DPG, as apart from one or two tracks, it should be an enjoyable listen for fans. Nothing is too bangin' or great though, and the subject matter is largely same old, same old. The two over six-minute tracks, while among the best, would have been better a bit shorter - particularly 'Real Wit Cha'. Best Tracks: We Da West, Fire, Real Wit Cha, Leave a Message, Huh What.