House, R&B, Soul & Rap > UK House House, R&B, Soul & Rap > 2006 onwards

Advantages: A couple of good dance tunes
Disadvantages: Repetitive lines

"51/50 Ratchet" is the debut album from the Louisiana rapper Hurricane Chris. When this dropped, 2007, the musician was only eighteen years old, and to fit in with what is expected of young rappers, espcially ones from the Dirty South, he has come out with some 'ringtone rap' with his hit single "A Bay Bay and "The Hand Clap" which followed on from it. 1. "Getting Money" (feat. Nicole Wray) This track get the album off to a shaky start as it isn't ...
...have to say tha I expect it though because he basially summarises his life stroy to the lsitenr in order to make up a little introduction for you before getitng itno his music. This little contextual information can be overlooked though as it doesn't bring out anything out of the ordinary. **Two Stars** 2. "A Bay Bay" This is the big single from the album and as his debut, it manged to catapult him into fame at the start of 2007. From there the ... Read review

Advantages: street music!
Disadvantages: too much street music!

Having been a big fan of fifty cent when he first burst on to the scene, and also a big fan of G Unit, i have to be honest, my interest has waned of late thanks to a couple of mediocre releases and an attempted cross-over into more radio friendly music. With the release of G Unit's anticipated sophomore album, it gives us a chance to see whether they really have crossed over, or if they remain true to the streets which raised them. Starting with ...
...definitely get you to pick it up if you saw it in the store. The album opens with Straight Outta Southside - a supposed ode to Sean Bell who was shit by police, but it doesn't actually make any reference to him, apart from once! It seems to be a cover of straight outta compton by NWA, but is nowhere near as good, a definite miss to open the album! We then lurch into piano man and close to me, two decent songs but forgettable nonetheless. Finally ... Read review

Advantages: More varied than previous albums
Disadvantages: Concept seems to fade

"The Recession" is the third album from the hardcore Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy. The CTE leader Young Jeezy returns with yet another Gangsta Rap album, and follows on from hits such as "Go Getta", "My Hood" and "Soul Survivor" from previous records. To be honest, I have never liked Jeezy, however after hearing a couple of the tracks from this new release, I expected to hear him come with something less in-your-face than in previous ocassions. It ...
...of September 2008. 1. "The Recession" (Intro) 2. "Welcome Back" I don't really see why we need a track which has us welcome Jeezy back because his last album only came out in 2006, so it's not as if he's been away for that long. However, with this excuse to make a track, he is given a hard beat by DJ Squkey Clean, and has him perform some big raps to give you an idea as to why he is such a popular name on the hardcore rap scene. **Four Stars** ... Read review

Advantages: Such a variety of tracks, in regards to tempo and style.
Disadvantages: 'No Air' Ft Jordin Sparks isn't featured on this album.

This album is perfect. For a good dance, there are faster paced tracks - 'Throwed' and 'Help' but to slow things down, there are a few romantic tracks with heart-felt lyrics - 'Heart ain't a brain', 'I wanna be' and my personal favourite - 'Superhuman' featuring Keri Hilson. There are so many good collaborations on this CD and Chris Brown's talent and remarkable voice is evident. His writing skills are definitely coming along and his songs are maturing. ... Read review

Advantages: Some quality tracks and banging beats.
Disadvantages: formulaic, too many guest appearances.

So, The Game is back. After the initial success of The Documentary and the relative success of the sequel, The Doctors Advocate, Game returns with his third, and supposedly final, LP - LAX, Los Angeles Times, to give it it's full title. After having been pushed back from its July 26th, original release date, I have to admit I was very keen to see what the album had in store for us this time. While it would be true to say that Game doesn't disapoint, ...
...album fulfilled all my expectations. The major flaw seems to be that he just has not grown as an artist - in fact, many of the songs are interchangeable from the previous two albums. There are definitely some classics mixed in, with gentlemans affair, my life, games pain and money being stand out, head nodding tracks. It is fair to say; however, that game has definitely chosen two of the best songs to release as singles, in Games Pain and My life. ... Read review