Yung Wun took around 4–5 years from first linking with Swizz Beatz and appearing on Ruff Ryders tracks to finally releasing this, his only album. His voice carries shades of DMX and Mystikal, and even reminds me of someone from the No Limit era, though I can’t quite place who. I don’t hear any of the Pac comparisons another reviewer mentioned. Interestingly, he had a YouTube channel with videos from around 2012 and even dropped a single then, possibly suggesting he was considering a comeback. The album’s biggest moment is 'Tear It Up' with DMX, Flip, and David Banner, flipping The Jackson 5’s 'Dancing Machine' for horns in an aggressive anthem. 'Load ’Em Up' appears later with a punchy, high-energy hook, while 'Cadillac Doors' shifts gears into funkier, smoother territory. 'Let It Bump' adds a soulful touch, sampling The Temptations with crisp production from The Koul Kats. While there are some solid tracks, much of the album feels forgettable. Wun brings energy and believable struggle, but not enough distinct personality to really separate himself from his peers. Beats: ★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★☆ Hooks: ★★☆ Best Tracks: Tear It Up, Yung Wun Anthem, Load 'Em Up, Cadillac Doors, Let It Bump

The second of five Ruff Ryder compilations and the first thing I noticed is that the production is poor. This doesn't come as a surprise as Swizz Beatz produces a handful of tracks. No one could honestly say the 'WW III' beat is worthy of the array of rappers on it. I also don't think anyone would want an instrumental version of this album, but in saying that, they have grown on me slightly across my listens of this project. The hard-hitting, engaging rapping, along with some strong hooks, is boosted by the variety of artists featured, with most appearing on only one track. Red and Meth kill the second track making it one of the strongest on the album which is another example of a weak beat saved by the rappers. 'Eve' fits 'Got It All' well with it toeing the line nicely between pop rap and street hop. The main man of Ruff Ryders, DMX, is just on the one song, 'The Great', which is one of the strongest tracks here, but nowhere near his greatest hits. You'd think he'd at least also be on the opener as well. The album closes with a bonus track, that is the one R&B song, performed by Parlé. It does use a cheat code, sampling The Gap Band's 'Yearning for Your Love', that even I would sound solid over, but nevertheless is a strong closer. It's one of those albums that if you were skimming through it, you wouldn't think much of it because the beats are average, but once the verses are flowing it makes them better. There's not a lot to rush back to but it's a fairly easy album to get through with some catchy moments. Beats: ★★ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★ Best Tracks: WW III, 2 Tears in a Bucket, Got It All, The Great, It’s Going Down 01 WW III (feat. Snoop Dogg, Scarface, Jadakiss & Yung Wun) 70 02 2 Tears in a Bucket (feat. Redman, Method Man & Sheek Louch) 74 03 Got It All (feat. Eve & Jadakiss) 74 04 Ryde or Die Boyz (feat. Yung Wun & Larsiny) 61 05 It’s a Holiday (Skit) 06 Holiday (feat. Styles P) 60 07 Weed, Hoes, Dough (feat. Drag-On) 54 08 Fuck Da’ Haters (Skit) 09 Fright Night (feat. Busta Rhymes & Swizz Beatz) 63 10 My Name Is Kiss (feat. Jadakiss) 66 11 Twisted Heat (feat. Twista & Drag-On) 60 12 Go Head (feat. The LOX) 69 13 I’m a H-O-E (Skit) 14 Stomp (feat. Yung Wun & Trick Daddy) 44 15 The Great (feat. DMX) 70 16 It’s Going Down (feat. Parlé) 75

Rakim is back with a remix album to the strong 'Gods Network' project from last year plus one additional song - 'Not To Be Defined'. The remixes mostly strip the originals back. For example, the remix of 'Be Ill' loses a lot of its energy along with a less intense hook compared to the original. There are different rappers featured to. The new track mentioned earlier is above decent, with Lazarus spitting well and the bars a re strong overall. They offer a different sound, but at this stage I prefer the originals in all cases. If you listen to 'Be Ill' on this and think it's as good or better than the original, you'll probably prefer this to 'Gods Network'. If you think it doesn't touch it like me, then you'll find these remixes underwhelming. Best Tracks: Be Ill, Pendulum, Sign of 7even, Not To Be Defined

This completely passed me by. I didn't realise Snoop released this until two months post release. While there are some veteran producers providing their talent such as Rick Rock, Soopafly, DJ Battlecat and Nottz, it's his most trap sounding album with some sounding like DJ Mustard beats. Unlike his last 75 minute album, this cuts the running time by more than half and also doesn't play around with other genres and sounds, making it an easier listen than his last effort, 'I Wanna Thank Me'. However, while it starts off hopeful, with the first song being strong and the next couple being good as well, it loses some steam. Some of the hooks aren't great and the features don't all hit the mark for me. The Eastsidaz, who released a couple of albums that I would recommend listening to if you haven't, reunite on 'Fetty in the Bag', but the production gets a bit monotonous with little change up between the hook and verses. 'Talk Dat Shit To Me' is a highlight largely thanks to Snoop rapping with constant alliteration that always sounds good. It's a consistent listen, but if you are only going to give me ten tracks, there needs to be more high moments. There is nothing great, or, maybe apart from the alliteration spitting, that Snoop hasn't done before. Beats: ★★★ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★ Best Tracks: CEO, Talk Dat Shit To Me, Sittin on Blades, Left My Weed

There are some likeable moments here. The opener, '1st We Blaze It Up', sounds quite similar to other Uncle Chucc soulful featured songs he's done with Snoop. The next song follows a similar vibe. 'Show You How a Gangsta Do' is better thanks to a more lively hook. 'Make It Hot', featuring the DPG, has a catchy hook as well and a bangin' beat once the verses hit. 'Breathe It In' hits hard from the start and is the best song. From there, after a pointless interlude, we hear less of Snoop. 'Weekend Lovers' sees Chris Starr give us an okay slow R&B number that sounds similar to what Lyfe Jennings created. NDAstree gives us a likeable rap with a good hook. 'Really Wanna Be with You' brings back that soul feeling of the opening songs with Snoop Dogg returning. The Hustle Boyz and Snoop combine to end the project in a decent way. 'Breathe It In' aside there is nothing that made me hit repeat, but it's a consistent, likeable EP without anything poor. Beats: ★★★ Rapping/Bars: ★★★ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Make It Hot, Breathe It In