Juvenile: Cocky & Confident (Album Review)

One of the few albums in 2009 I was actually anticipating and to honestly tell you the truth, Juvenile has some interesting material this time around.

Track 1 - Cocky & Confident

A typical intro track with a nice beat while Juvenile thanks his fans and does a little rapping getting us all prepared for what seems like a banger

Track 2 - Gotta Get It

This song right here has a simple drum pattern and not too many sounds yet it carries a very infectious hook, dirty south swagger, and a flow from Juvenile which does this track good justice as the first song off the album 

Track 3 - Back Back

A grimy intro to this next track which is another fun track from Juvenile, but this time he goes more focused on his creative rhymes.  The beat on this song sounds like something Mannie would make, my only knock on this song is Juvenile brings back his somewhat whining flow, which is his "new" thing.

Track 4 - We Getting Money (feat Shawty Lo & Dorrough)

Classic Juvenile flow with some features that only the South could really appreciate.  The hook is very catchy and basically a money anthem which will have many ridin, and chillin to this track.  Oh yea, the beat is hot too I was really feeling the track except for Shawty Lo.

Track 5 - My Money Don't Fold (feat T Money & Kango Slim)

Back to back money tracks is not very interesting to listen to, and that's just what we get from Juve.  This song right here is alittle more slower than the previous track, and Juvenile speaks on how much he has which is very reminiscent of his Cash Money days.  

Track 6 - Feeling Right (feat Cape, Kango Slim & B.G.)

Probably the one collaboration I was looking forward to with Juvenile and B.G. which doesn't disappoint.  Juvenile brings back his old school singing hook style, and B.G. comes through with his complimentary hook which makes up a New Orleans classic.  The beat is very smooth and chill allowing the rappers to do there own thing.  This is the 2nd track in a row with Kango Slim, I do wonder what he does...

Track 7 - Top of the Line

The beat on this track is very similar to the track Juvenile did on the Bun B album.  A very Houston feel to this beat and it works pretty well on this album.  This song is another track where Juvenile boasts about his money keeping up with the albums title.  

Track 8 - Make U Feel Alright (feat Kango Slim & Jay Da Menace)

Another track with Kango on it, and it seems like we have someone who is getting pushed.  The beat on this track is very old school with the claps on Juvenile's break through national single "Back That Thang Up".  A song geared towards the ladies is where Juve is probably at his best, and this proves the same formula still works.

Track 9 - It's All Hood

Some gangster strings and piano sounds make this sound like a very dark song.  The singing by Juvenile on the hook is not something he should do more often.  I honestly felt like if the hook was something different it would've been a banger.

Track 10 - New Orleans Stunna (feat Rawsmoov)

Vicious horns and the classic southern sounds make this song probably one of my favorites on the whole album.  Classic New Orleans on this song again, and Juvenile doesn't do too bad when it comes to rapping and being creative showing that he can hold his own on this song.  

Track 11 - All Over You (feat Kango Slim)

Finally the party for Juvenile slows down some, and his homie Kango get's another song.  More of an intimate track geared towards the ladies.  Some nice pianos which are somewhat dark and twisted, yet they work on this song.  Juvenile doesn't do too well on the flow, during the song he seems like he is trying to rap loud over the beat.  

Track 12 - You Can't Stop Me (feat Partners-N-Crime & Youngin')

Some of Juvenile's old friends in Partners-N-Crime appear on this song right here.  The song starts off slow yet picks up well with a very infectious hook, and probably one of the most feeling commercial song on the album.  This song is something I can hear blowing up big time if marketed and promoted right, with infectious synth and horns in the background Juvenile gets a good one right here.  

Track 13 - Break it Down (feat Q Corvette)

For some reason it feels like Juvenile really likes his piano's as this track starts off the same way.  I like the drum pattern and it fits well with Q Corvette's singing style.  Here we get one more song for the club where Juvenile goes at telling them ladies all about what Juve can do.

Track 14 - I'm Out Chere (feat Rico Love)

If you haven't noticed by now we have been getting a lot of features on this album by individuals we probably don't even know.  Now I'm not saying these guys are unsuccessful but it seems like Juvenile was getting people he wanted to blow up on this album, which is very pioneer like.  As we get to the track it starts off quick, and let's you know we have another riding track on our hands.  On this song don't let the music distract you, Juvenile actually really goes hard.

Track 15 - I'm Shining

If you remember track 7 this is pretty much a different version of that beat.  I wish this wouldn't have made the cut because it just doesn't feel like it belongs, maybe mixtape material here.  Maybe Juvenile had no other choice and listening to him talk about money again with a dated beat isn't a good formula. 

Track 16 - I Say (feat Youngin')

Ok, so whoever told Juve this was hot must've been lying to him because I just don't get the direction of this song.  Right here the beat isn't too bad it just doesn't make sense.  I feel like this is more of an interlude or skit instead of an actual song.  The 808's do hit though.

Track 17 - Everything (feat Bobby Valentino)

Back earlier this year this song leaked and it had Akon singing on the hook.  This time around Juvenile replaces Akon with Bobby B and the beat is more polished up.  This song right here is a nice change from the other few tracks we had previously and gets me back into the party mood. 

Track 18 -Hands On You (feat Pleasure P)

Here we get to the single of the album yet it's at the end of the cd.  Not a bad song it's pretty good actually, yet it's placement within the album could've been better for the song.  Juvenile keeps it consistent with his type of material in the song, but the beat is very refreshing and a good way to introduce Juvenile back to the public after 3 years.

Track 19 - Listen (feat Q Corvette)

We finally hit the last song on the album and to tell you the truth, it has probably the most substance than any song we just hear/reviewed.  Juvenile on this has a nice and soft beat which you can tell is something heard before, and he basically tells it like it is.  Trying to be a motivational speaker to the hood this track right here shows why Juvenile is as respected as he is.  When I feel and hear this song it reminds me of why Juve is one of my all time favorites.

Overall the album is subpar with songs that hit and miss by a large margin.  I didn't really feel all the features but they didn't hurt the album as much as the would've.  The production is pretty good for producers who are not very known, and they do a good job to try and get Juvenile the right beats.  Some of the beats sound dated but in this day of Hip Hop that actually works.  As we hit a creative level with the rhyming and elaborate schemes, Juvenile tries to hold his own and doesn't do a bad job.  One thing that isn't consistent about the album is the fact that his voice feels like it changes from track to track.  A positive is that Juvenile stays on point when it comes to an album title, and actually keeping the album on point with what it's named.  This cd probably won't be selling 100k the first week, but it's a nice spin for those living in the South.

If you want a numerical rating I would rate it 7/10

Buy the album: Click Here

50 Cent: Before I Self Destruct (Album Review)

Ok, yesterday I posted up my first interview session ever on this site and to me it seemed like a great success for the future.  Tonight I want to post up my first album review which I feel could also be another step up for this blog.  Currently in my cd player I have Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 playing but as the itunes release date has arrived for this album, and all the press this man has created for himself, 50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct will be the first album I will officially review.  I know I've stated before that I'm not blogging just on 50 Cent, and as much as it might feel that way, he is the easiest artist for me to blog about so I shall start off easy and then take on the challenges.

Track 1 - The Invasion

This track right here starts the album off the right way, aggressive.  50 goes hard with a flow that rides the beat well, and a hook that has everyone ready to fight.  Production wise Ty Fiffe gives 50 Cent the element he needs to start the album off the right way.

Track 2 - Then Days Went By

More of a mixtape track I could here Lloyd Banks put this on one of his PLK mixtapes, but instead we find this on Mr. Jackson's album.  Once again 50's lyrics are on point, but this track slows down the album some from the fire it had in the intro.  For me a few hardcore songs would've been perfect to start off this self destruction, but I guess 50 didn't think so.

Track 3 - Death To My Enemies

If this would've been track 2 then the album would've flowed perfectly for the first few tracks.  A violent beat and violent track which has the perfect formula of Dr. Dre and 50 Cent doing what they do best, gangsta music.  Of course Curtis isn't shy to make references himself as he decides to take a shot at Lil Wayne's "The Carter" album but it isn't a direct diss, it's more of a "my album is violent, vicious, and not nice."

Track 4 - So Disresepectful

Right here this track is probably the gem of the album for me because it reminds me so much of piggybank.  No this is not the same type of diss track but more of a response to everything that has happened over the past few years.  From his fallout with his baby momma to his fallout with his former G-Unit members, Curtis let's them know that he will not be very nice if you cross him.

Track 5 - Psycho

Another track that fits in perfectly with the flow of the album is the Eminem featured "Psycho".  On here we get our boy rapping quick, fast, and different compared to what he has been doing lately, and Eminem doing his usual justice on a track.  Not much bad to say here except they better make a video for this or I'll be mad, oh yeah Eminem does the old school flow again which is very refreshing.

Track 6 - Hold Me Down

Once again the one knock that has been following 50 Cent for the past few years catches up to him on this song.  The singing hook, the slow beat, the boring same old raps is the formula used here and its a dud on an album which was starting to get me wondering what was coming next.  This beat sounds out of place in this album where murder, killing, and straight up world war 3 was about to take place.

Track 7 - Crimewave

With the filler track coming before this we finally get another street anthem which in my opinion is very similar to Lloyd Banks "Warrior".  The bounce, the grimy sounds, and the overall feel of this song makes me want to go and do something bad.  I know this is the same old murder talk and gangster talk, but the hook is catchy, and there is no loss of aggressiveness here. 

Track 8 - Stretch

I frequent Thisis50.com often so when I had a chance to see the video for this song it was very intriguing.  The hook is very catchy on this song and the beat is very twisted.  In my opinion this is the perfect drug dealer track. 

Track 9 - Strong Enough

More of a chill track and another song which sounds like it should be on a mixtape.  That would be the simplest way to put this, and I would like to say that the song is very New York.  The sample is nice, and once again Curtis let's us know that he isn't here for the nation, he is here for the hood on this album.

Track 10 - Get It Hot

On an album where I had felt 3 songs didn't belong this track right here should have not ever been released.  It has Lloyd Banks on the hook and the beat sounds way out of place along with many other negatives.  The beat sounds too simple and just plain.  I understand that this album needed a hardcore yet commercial single but this is just a weak attempt and a big dud.

Track 11 - Gangsta's Delight

After killing my ears with the last track we get another song that is back to the dark, gritty, and grimy direction this album previously had.  On this track we get more of a throw back sounding beat which is also very modern.  Along with a nice beat the verses are on point and the emotion we hear on this track has me very convinced that when 50 has a chance to be mean, he will be mean.

Track 12 - I Got Swag

One thing that is for sure is that 50 knows how to write hooks, and this song is a great example.  The verses are good and creative are again, while the production is fresh yet it sounds like something that shouldn't be on an album.  Something that I liked about this song is 50 is talking about paper yet he is getting at you, not straight up talking about it which he does like to do a lot.

Track 13 - Baby By Me

At one point I didn't feel that there was going to be a successful hit single for this album yet here we are with this hit.  Usually the song for the girls comes later but it was obvious 50 needed this sooner rather than later.  The beat has elements we have heard before from Polow Da Don, and it also has a guy singing hooks in Ne-Yo that has good commercial appeal right now.  A lot of the lyrics in this song are things we have heard before from our boy, so there isn't really anything special.  I guess the only positive thing I felt from this is that it gave the album the commercial appeal it had been missing.  Up to this point there was no song that would've been a hit nationwide so I guess this was somewhat necessary.

Track 14 - Do You Think About Me

I really enjoyed this beat because it sounds so fresh in this time of outer space hip-hop.  The lyrics are on point and I do feel that this could be a hit for Curtis.  The refreshing feeling this beat gives, and the fact that 50 doesn't have to sing the hook seem like the positives that could carry this to a chart climber.

Track 15 - Ok, You're Right

If you remember that this song came out in the summer than you have been paying attention to hip-hop, if not then you understand that this had no commercial appeal.  The lyrics are boring but the beat is fire.  What was lacking in an aggressive crossover hit this had, but it just didn't catch on.

Track 16 - Could've Been You

As we listen to the last track on the album its a chill track to smoke to.  I really did enjoy this some, but the one thing I've wanted is a rapper to start of hard and end hard which 50 proves might not be something he wants to do.  Of course you have to make music for everything, but another track that is slow just bores me when usually you just need 2 tracks for that.

Overall

I would say that the aggressive content is there, but there are tracks that just seem like they jump in when they don't need to be.  Curtis tries really hard to move away from the commercial album he dropped last time, but the problem is there aren't too many gems in this that could be commercially successful.  If I had to scale this album it would be a 7/10 because nothing catches my ears too much.  I tried to like some songs but I just wasn't having it.  The highlights are Psycho, So Disrespectful, Crimewave, & Death To My Enemies.  Songs that make this album worthless are songs like Hold Me Down, I Got Swag, & Get It Hot.  Overall we see that 50 tries to make an attempt to get the streets back on his side, lets see what they think...

Eminem's Relapse Reviewed

Hiphopdx reviewed Eminem's latest album 'Relapse' and the verdict doesn't look too good. Personally I can't wait to see how he sells but this review doesn't have everything all fun and happy. Check it for yourself and see what you think, I can say for myself that this doesn't really bother me.

Relapse - Eminem | Album Reviews > HipHopDX.com

Rick Ross "Deeper Than Rap"

So I read this article on MTV which reviewed Rick Ross's new cd. After reading this article many of the songs got very positive reviews and the writer didn't show any criticism. In this article the writer even went as far as to say this was a classic album. I don't know much about how credible this person is even though they are writing for MTV, but I do feel that I would have to hear this cd before I let someone else make the judgment for me. All though I'am very excited to hear what Ross has to offer.

Article: Click here