Despite being up with Ja Rule and early '00s hip hop, I only found out this album existed recently. After a number of songs on the first listen I was wishing I never came across it but it does improve and has grown on me with a second and third spin. 'We Getting High Tonight' that samples The O'Jays 'Help (Somebody Please)' was the first song to grab me during the first playthrough (although less so on repeated listen) and then you have DMX on the engaging horrorcore 'Tales from the Darkside' that shows how much of a difference there is between an original rapper like him and who came before. From there the production feels better. There are some poor moments amongst the 17 tracks (minus the skits), such as 'Vita, Vita, Vita' and 'Dem Niggaz' but there are enough enjoyable moments of gangsta rap to give 'Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers' a decent rating. Beats: ★★★ Rapping/Bars: ★★★ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: We Getting High Tonight, Tales from the Darkside, Get It Right, Rebels Symphony, Crime Scene

'Serious' is great. That aside though, there is nothing to revisit here. It's an okay 30 minutes of R&B/alternative R&B, but it loses some steam in the second half with most of the best moments being within the first six songs. Best Tracks: Serious

This is consistently pleasant R&B from front to back but there is nothing amazing here. There are lots of 7-8/10 tracks but none at 9-10/10 that means I can't have this at a 4/5 overall. There is a little too much of the same sound from track to track as well meaning it takes more time to grow on the listener. Best Tracks: Promises, Sweet Lady, Give Love a Try, I Can't Go On, Stay in Touch

After a number of albums in the same lane, this one feels a little different with more of a neo-soul vibe with Prince/Musiq Soulchild influences and some Michael Jackson vocally on 'Make It Last Forever'. It feels that way from the jump with its first sound being a sample from Marvin Gaye's 'Let's Get It On'. Unfortunately the opener isn't great, but it gets better from 'Nothin' on You' beginning a run of enjoyable songs It's Marques' most consistent album up until this point in his discography and there isn't an attempt at a cross-over R&B club song here that adds to that consistent quality and theme. An easy 43 minutes of R&B/soul with 'Give Your Love a Try' being one of his best songs, but despite it's consistency, there aren't enough really high moments for a more noteworthy rating from me. Best Songs: Nothin' on You, Give Your Love a Try, Take Your Love Away, Lifetime

"Tony Montana rest in peace" I just reviewed an R&B album by Tyrese that basically sums this album up as well. There are lots of 7-8/10 songs but there is nothing that blows me away. The production is stronger than the rapping with a number of recognisable samples being featured. With a better rapper some of these probably could've been those 9-10/10 songs that I'm looking for. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★ Hooks: ★★★ Best Tracks: The Shit is Real (DJ Premier Remix)