House, R&B, Soul & Rap > West Coast Rap House, R&B, Soul & Rap > Rap > East Coast Rap > 2006 onwards > Island > 5 GBP to 10 GBP

Advantages: Body On Me
Disadvantages: No longer seems relevant to the market

Who is Nelly? If you feel the room is suddenly getting hotter as you read this review, do not be concerned enough to check if you left the cooker on, but rather it could be down to the return of a rapper you are likely to be familiar with no matter what your interests due to his commercial success with singles such as, 'Hot in Herre'. Whilst previously Nelly has recorded four albums in four years, 'Brass Knuckles' comes after a four-year absence. ...
...music industry, however does he carry his new bulked-up image over in his music? I'm sure a main worry with this project could be that Nelly would rather spend more time down the gym to produce 50 Cent-esque music rather than the shaking your tailfeather music many have came to love him for. If you still can't for the life of you remember who Nelly is, he is also well remembered for his 'Dilemma' collaboration with Kelly Rowland. Although there has ... Read review

Advantages: Surprisingly strong throughout
Disadvantages: Can be weak with lyrics at times

"The Greatest Story Ever Told" is the fifth, and latest David Banner LP. it's a while since he got another album out there, and since 2005 the game has changed quite a bit, but as he has stayed in line with the trends in Hip Hop by producing a host of hits, including a track off Lil' Wayne's new "Tha Carter III". In case you didn't already work it out, his real name isn't as stated (in fact it's Levell Crump), he takes the stage name from The Incredible ...
...with some wise words from Banner as he explains tha it's the fault of black people for the decline in the race and not anybody else (although George Bush and Ronald Regan didn't help with it). On a Get Cool beat, he plays around twith this subject to express him annoynace on how he is forced to be part of a stereotype due to the actions of a minorty in the ethnic group. **Four Stars** 2. "G.S.E.T. Intro" 3. "Suicide Doors" As the proper track ... Read review

Advantages: Lots of variety
Disadvantages: A few weaker tracks

"Certified" is the fourth album from the Mississippi rapper David Banner. I thought that I had to go back seeing that I enjoyed his latest 2008 release, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" so much, so I thought that I would see similar quality from this 2005 piece, which has him do both the rapping and a fair proportion of the production. 1. "Lost Souls" To get things going we drive straight into some straight Dirty South rap. I found that he was effective ...
...wislt managing ito integrate his influences of Rock into things with some guitar work too. **Three Stars** 2. "Treat Me Like A" (feat. Jadakiss) I still don't get how Jadakiss keeps thinking he can on some Crunk beats, but he does it once again as Lil' Jon does the production, and aside the parts which Jada takes up, it is a strong Hip Hop cut for the clubs. **Four Stars** 3. "Gangsta Walk" (feat. Three 6 Mafia, Marcus, 8Ball & MJG) On this one ... Read review

Advantages: Consistent quality
Disadvantages: One slip in quality

"Me Against The World" is the third album by the West Coast Rap legend 2Pac who was killed in 1996 as a result of a fatal shooting. The album came a year before this and has him rapping in what has been called a "nothing to lose" persona as he raps during a difficult time in his life as he was shot five times late in 1994, and was in prison for the release of the record. Despite all this, he was able to top the charts with his music, even with him ...
..."Intro" 2. "If I Die 2Nite" Heavy in bitter alliteration, this one has 'Pac's attitude for the whole release summed up as he really just doesn't care what happens to himslef, as he lives each day for what it is, and knows there's no point in pre-planning anything. **Four Stars** 3. "Me Against The World" Giving him a littel sample of G-Funk with a synth-based prodcution to hand, this one has the artist come with adesperate track, where he describes ... Read review

Advantages: Full to brim with excellent songs
Disadvantages: It's been re-released with extra tracks

What can I say? I love this album! When Rihanna first appeared on the scene I found her style a bit nasal but that's all changed with this album. I do find myself skipping through her slower love songs but that's just my own personal taste and they are no less exceptional lyric-wise than the more up-beat tracks. And believe me there are plenty of get-up and dance tracks on this CD, and not just those that have been released as singles. 'Shut up and ...
...whilst 'Lemme Get That' is a definite booty-shaker and 'Breaking Dishes' will speak volumes to most of the female populous. Even the mildly annoying 'Umbrella' (come on who hasn't found ella-ella-ella a tad annoying by the 25th time?) gets a regular play on my stereo. I would definitely recommend this album as a buy. The only shame is I now have to buy the re-released album as it's got new tracks included on it. ... Read review