Urban-Reviews.com - Hip-Hop

8Ball & MJG
Ridin High

3.5 out of 5 discs

With over 13 years of being in the rap game, 8Ball and MJG have seen the ups and downs of the industry through first-hand experience. They also know that the landscape of Hip-Hop has changed about a dozen times since their 1993 debut album Comin' Out Hard. With modest success from being on various independent labels (most notable being Suave House), the crew was signed to Bad Boy by Diddy and released their major label debut Living Legends in 2004. Still getting much of the same buzz as they did when they were on top of the underground scene, they did sell in excess of 750,000 copies (more than Diddy was able to do with Press Play in 2006). So with the release of Ridin High, the duo are hoping to at least match that success, but actually take a step backwards in the end. The album starts off pretty good with songs like the radio-friendly "Cruzin" featuring Project Pat and Slim of 112, the grimy anthem "Relax And Take Notes" featuring Notorious B.I.G. (per Diddy's request I'm sure), and the energetic, bass-heavy "Turn Up The Bump." Pimp C rolls through to rep for Houston on "Watchu Gonna Do," Killer Mike resurfaces for the entertaining track "Running Out Of Bud," Yung Joc makes a so-so appearance for the thumping "Clap On," and Jazza Pha and Juvenile bring all of their talents on board for "Pimpin Don't Fail Me Now" (a play on the chorus to Missy Elliott's "Pussycat"). Unfortunately there are huge missteps with a couple of tracks on this album. Diddy obnoxious presence in the background of the over-produced title track and his vocals on "30 Rocks" bring down the album tremendously. "Hickory Dickory Dock" (yes, you read that right) is just bad all around, and "Alcohol, Pu$$y, and Weed" is another bad attempt at making a Pop-sounding Dirty South track. "Get Low" is poorly produced and lyrically dormant, while "Take It Off" featuring Poo Bear is a futile attempt at recreating the feel of their former hit "Space Age Pimpin." This will probably spell the end of their mainstream run, but 8Ball & MJG obviously have the potential to be chart-topping superstars. But when you have a label that doesn't have much experience with producing and promoting albums from the Dirty South, it usually spells disaster for all.

2.5 out of 5 discs

Tha Dogg Pound
Dogg Chit

The heyday for Daz and Kurupt was easily back in the mid 90s when they had the other artists like Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg on their debut album Dogg Food. Another thing that set that album apart was the fact that Daz's production skills were bar none and Kurupt had superior lyrics that were comparable to Snoop Dogg's verses anyday. So for Dogg Chit, it would only make sense for them to try to recreate that magic or come close to it. After the first listen, it becomes clear that those good ol' days are impossible to recreate. They clearly attempted a more streamline West Coast album this time out, resorting more on drum kicks, synthesized melodies, and hard-hitting bass lines. The problem is that it all sounds forced, like the songs "Mo Murder," "Get Out Of My Way," "I'll Bury Ya," and countless other tracks. The only good songs are the ones that feature other artists, a formula that speaks volumes to the relevance of Daz and Kurupt. The Game reps for the West to the fullest with his stellar guest appearance on "Anybody Killa." Snoop Dogg validates the duo with his presence on "Vibe" as well as "Pull Them Draws Down" and "Bucc 'em" (the latter song also features RBX and serves as one of the bonus selections for Best Buy version of the album.) The inclusion of Too Short on the unimpressive collabo "Can't Get Enough" and Bad Azz on the substandard "Where U From" was a total waste of time and shows that having a guest star doesn't always salvage the track. There are a sprinkling of mediocre tracks to fill the rest of the album. The sad thing is that their last album Cali Iz Active wasn't nearly as good as Dogg Food. And since Dogg Chit is worst than that album, it regrettably lives up to its title in more ways than one.

Young Buck
Buck The World

4 out of 5 discs

The G-Unit crew haven't exactly had the best of times lately. Olivia was released from G-Unit, Lloyd Banks' album all but flopped, and 50 Cent has been incognito when it comes to his next album. And with word that has actually entertained the idea of a follow-up to Tony Yayo's album is totally beyond comprehension. So for Young Buck to put out an album amid this storm is definitely ballsy to say the least. The best thing for him to do is disassociate himself from anything to do with G-Unit even though he still reps for the collective for the time being. And outside of one song with 50, Young Buck accomplishes that feat with Buck The World, a project that further validates the rapper as a true emcee and not a fly-by-night, overnight sensation like countless others. Buck hits hard from beginning to end on this album, but he must utilize outside talent from about 2/3 of the disc. Hip-Hop artists like 8Ball & MJG and Bun B ("Say It To My Face"), Snoop Dogg & Trick Daddy ("I Ain't F@cking With U!"), and TI, Young Jeezy, and Pimp C ("4 Kings") all deliver the goods for standout tracks. Lyfe Jennings brings a little soul for "Buck The World," while Latoiya Williams shows off her uniqueness for "U Ain't Going Nowhere." But Young Buck does well on his own too, rocking solo for the hard-hitting "Push Em Back," the equally forceful "Buss Yo' Head," and the 'State of the Unit' address portrayed on "Clean Up Man." Young Buck does something that 50 and Lloyd Banks couldn't do and that's release a sophomore album that is just as good as his debut CD. Buck The World is basically for the streets, and thankfully that's probably the vision Young Buck had in mind this time out.

3.5 out of 5 discs

Consequence
Don't Quit Your Day Job

We finally get the chance to hear a real album by Queens own Consequence, the same guy that was plastered all over A Tribe Called Quest's album Beatz, Rhymes, and Life featuring his cousin Q-Tip. Sure, he had a mixtape album back in 2004 that few even knew existed. But this was easily the best time for Consequence to come out with his album considering Kanye had to prove himself as a mega-producer, artist, and business man. Once the foundation was created and Kanye started up G.O.O.D. Music, everything was a go for Consequence (his momma named him Dexter Raymond Mills, Jr.) to release his first official album titled Don't Quit Your Day Job. Without question, the production on a majority of the album was on par, so it all really came down to Consequence to deliver on his rhymes. "Callin' Me" is an decent track, but doesn't come close to the overall sound of Don't Quit Your Day Job. "Job Song" focuses on Dexter's thoughts on doing something bigger and better with music once he gets through the whole 'getting by' phase in his life. "Don't Forget Em" is easygoing song, stressing the importance of embracing your past and remembering what got you where you are today. "Uptown" has a good bounce to it, the respectable "The Good, The Bad, The Ugly" features mentor Kanye West, and the laid back "Feel This Way" features John Legend in rare form. "Disperse" is another standout cut that features Gangsta L Crisis (better known as GLC) and Really Doe, while "Who Knew My Luck Would Change" speaks to his thoughts that his career in music was bleak and nobody would ever check for him after all these years. There are some flaws on this album however like the strange "Night Night," the unconvincing hardness of "Uncle Raheim," and the over-the-top production on "Grammy Family" with DJ Khaled, Kanye West, and John Legend. Consequence still show his worth with Don't Quit Your Day Job, and that's what matters when it comes to longevity in the rap business.