There isn't a 'Gangsta's Paradise' here, but this is more consistent than I remember his previous album being. The beats were well chosen. It's another funky, well-produced west coast album from the mid-'90s. This is one of the reasons why when asked I put west coast hip hop above the east. It's the funk! There are so many underheard albums from the west. He isn't the most amazing rapper. On 'Let's Do It', Coolio picks up the pace but he isn't a great natural fast spitter. The final song, 'C U When U Get There', samples 'Canon in D Major' by Johann Pachelbel that will likely be familiar to you as may some other samples throughout the album. Best Tracks: 2 Minutes & 21 Seconds of Funk, Hit 'Em, Can U Dig It, Can I Get Down One Time, My Soul, Let's Do It

This podcast and the earlier radio programs are amazing. I revisit them with regularity and they always entertain. The laughs often come from Ricky and Steve's responses to Karl's thoughts and stories. He had an amazingly unique childhood that makes his recounts hilarious. Kids who chase cars, horses as pets, Scruffy Sandra, the only goal he ever scored in soccer being due to his fear of a bee... The list goes on. One of the greatest trios in entertainment.

"What do you think Drag-On is up to?" That quote from The Eric Andre Show is why I checked this out. There are some decent moments but it never reaches great heights. One of the better tracks is the story-telling 'Groundhog Day', with 'Snipe Out' being similar, but there wasn't much else that stood out during my few spins. If you've listened to anything from the Ruff Ryders family from the late '90s-early '00s the production won't be much of surprise. Swizz Beatz handles many of the beats, and as I've said many times, while he's created some classics, when he handles most of an album, it almost never (if ever) works. A 2/5 at the most. Best Tracks: Groundhog Day, Spit These Bars, Snipe Out, Get It Right

I can't give this more than a 3/5 as the high points aren't high enough. There are a number of good songs but many are just decent. I can't think of one No Limit release that has great beats all of the way through and this is no different. They're not incredibly inspiring and Mac isn't a great enough rapper to elevate them. Best Tracks: Like Before, If It's Cool, Lock Down (Remix), Paradise, Can U Love Me? (Eyes of a Killer)

This isn't too bad. Lil' Mac would've only been about 12 when he recorded this, and as he shows here and he would show on future albums, under the name Mac, he is a talented rapper. A lot of it is pop rap, but stuff like 'The Mind' and 'Lyrical Midget' are more reminiscent of the classic east coast late-'80s/early '90s beats. Lyrically it's weak though, with too many girl tracks being present catered towards a young audience, and I can't relate to someone of his age rapping about some of the things he spits about. Some tracks of note. - 'I Need Wheels' - A 12 year old rapping about needing a car... To make it worse the emotive beat could make you cry, sampling 'I Need Love'. He must really needs wheels! "I'll drive anything, even a bus." 'Young and Embarrassed' - the beat sounds like a nursery rhyme. 'Lil' Mac Be Clubbin'' - Mac raps about being out clubbin' and drinking at 12 years old, and getting spanked by his mum. "She grabbed me, pulled my pants down". Not something I'll look to play again quickly, but it isn't an unpleasant listen. Best Tracks: The Mind, Lyrical Midget, Your Days Are Over, Lil' Mac Be Clubbin'