A fairly consistent pop rap album as far as I'm concerned and K-Maro's first pretty much all English album which makes it much easier to enjoy the whole thing. He only shows us his multilingualism with a few words throughout the tracks. Most of it is really pop-rappy so stay away if you don't like the sound of that, and if you did like his past hits like 'Femme Like U' and 'Crazy' there is nothing with that sort of dance-rap type of vibe to it. Probably the kind of artist you are better off checking out a song though before you get the whole album.
Best Tracks: Let It Show, Love it or Leave It, Take You Away, Change the Game, Not Your Time To Go
There are aspects of this to appreciate, particularly some of the Cole's verses and flows, but after a few listens, I'm not left with anything memorable enough for a higher score. There isn't anything top-tier. '4 Your Eyez Only' aside, Cole seems to have reached out to outside producers more than his other projects, but there isn't much I like enough. Give me his beats from his first two albums any day of the week over the trap influenced production here. And the 'Do It Again' by The New Birth sample on 'Close' has been used so many times on some songs I love that is feels stale here.
Best Tracks: 9 5 . s o u t h, p r i d e . i s . t h e . d e v i l
While never having the expectation of amazing song after amazing song, you used to always be able to count on Khaled for a banger or two on his albums, but this and his last project haven't even had that. The beat on 'Big Paper' got me feeling kind of hype but it didn't last. Boring. Generic production. A number of artists featured who I do not enjoy. Cringe Puffy screaming Scarface quotes. Not for me.
Best Track: Sorry Not Sorry (feat. Nas, Jay-Z, James Fauntleroy & Harmonies By The Hive)
The best on this are among my favourite in the genre. Pun's fantastic rhymes with his brilliant skill over darkly themed beats like those on 'You Ain't a Killer' and 'Capital Punishment' are superb. The skills shown on other songs like 'Boomerang' and the cover, 'Twinz', are rare, and even when he is spitting over poppy beats, like 'Still Not a Player', he doesn't let up and entertains. The beats on this aren't fantastic overall and the skits would've been a pain in the non-digital age but there isn't anything poor here. A must listen for hip hop fans.
Beats: ★★★★
Rapping/Bars: ★★★★★
Hooks: ★★★★
Best Tracks: Beware, You Ain't a Killer, Boomerang, Capital Punishment, The Dream Shatterer
Having to wait an extra month than the US for this album to be in stores was strange given the international version has no extra tracks. I'm sure there is some reason but surely this does nothing but encourages piracy... Anyway, once acquired and given a spin or two I find it to be a good album, but the production on most of his others are more my thing. Lyrically it's good as usual, content and delivery wise, but a lot of the tracks don't seem to grab me as much as Nasir's past albums which limit its lifespan. I listened to the previous 'Street's Disciple' and his other albums for ages and play them more often than this one. In saying all this, it's better than much of what's released today and it's still quality from Nas, being consistent and having some great bangers such as 'Black Republican' and 'Money Over Bullshit'.
Best Tracks: Money Over Bullshit, Black Republican, Blunt Ashes, Let There Be Light, Hold Down the Block, Can't Forget About You.
Good Songs: Carry On Tradition, Where Are They Now, Hip-Hop Is Dead, Play on Playa, Still Dreaming, Hustlers
Average Songs: Who Killed It, You Can't Kill Me (the music reminds me of an earlier song he did on an earlier LP...It's not coming to though), Not Going Back, Hope (not a big fan of acapellas - great with a beat behind it though).
"1995, eleven years from the day, I'm in the record shop with choices to make. Illmatic on the top shelf, The Chronic on the left homie Wanna cop both but only got a twenty on me So f*** it, I stole both, spent the twenty on a dub sack" - The Game on 'Hustlers'.
