Mile Hi Club

If You Didn't Swag Surf In 2009, you more than likely want to check you pulse because you are dead.  The infectious track that tore through the country was brought to you by the newest leaders on the Atlanta scene... Fast Life Yungstaz better known as F.L.Y.! Countless shows, an album deal, and a number 3 album spot on the Billboard Top Rap Albums later, Myko McFly, Vee, and Mook are back on the scene with their latest update for the streets, "Mile Hi Club".  The ultra-swagged trio sought out DJ Prety Boi Tank and DJ Geronimo to bring us up to speed to just how F.L.Y. they are and to instill into the industry that "F.L.Y. Is Da Limit"!

The tracks included are great for anyone, from the casual F.L.Y. fan to the the ladies to their true to the core following.  Everyone will be satisfied with this one! As the mixtape opens, everyone is properly introduced the group answers a very simple question, "Why You Do Em Like That?" Lines like "Why You Do Em Like That/ Why You Drop This Here/ Cuz We Killed Em With Tha Sauce/ Club Banger Of The Year!" This captures the true essence of F.L.Y., confidence that borders cockiness... Swagger that you can only be respected.  The mixtape supports crazy wordplay and tracks that just captivate the listeners to draw them in.  The thing that F.L.Y. does best is their presentation.  On every track they mesh with their instrumental to create a musical presence and capture the fast lifestyle that they are named after.  Other notable tracks are the new single "I'm So Gone" a Drunk Anthem just in time for the New Year! Wit K.E. on the track and Roscoe Dash adding in the hook says it all, "We Drink That Henn... That Cuevo Gold... Belvedere, Patron... We Drink Ciroc, Louie 13, 1800 Strong... And I'm So GONEEEEEE!" Adding to the overall value of the mixtape, Pretty Boy Tank and Geronimo also include past hits like "These Girls Goin", "Bands", and "Cool Money Maker"! All in all, the presentation and production give us a highly satisfying fix.  Is it possible that F.L.Y. really is the Limit...?

Here is the breakdown of the mixtape by the numbers:

Production: 4 out of 5
Concept: 4 out of 5
Lyrics: 4 out of 5
Re-playability: 3 out of 5
Features: 3 out of 5
Overall: 3.6 out of 5

Track Listing:
Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Why U Do Em Like Dat
03. Do Ya Thang
04. Bands
05. Whoa
06. Interlude
07. I’m So Gone (Feat. Roscoe Dash)
08. Go Wild
09. Cool Money Maker
10. Da Champ (Feat. Yung Ralph)
11. Tearin Off The Roof
12. Serena
13. Deez Girl Going
14. Dummy
15. Have Some Fun
16. Whipped Up
17. Interlude
18. Nasa
19. I’m So Fly (Feat. Band Geakz)
20. I Got Ya (Feat. Daron Jones)
21. Outro
22. Across Da Globe (Feat. Sammie)(Bonus Track)

Download HERE (RS)

Fast Life Yungstaz In The Studio




Fast Life Yungstaz Talkin About Swag Surfin' & Their Def Jam Deal

We Are Young Money Album Review

With the dropping of Young Money Entertainment's "We Are Young Money" it is now official, YME is the new Bad Boy! The Super-Label who sports artist that reaches across regions, genres, and age groups has released the labels first official showcase of the new Young Money Team.  Similar to any good sitcom, each individual has their own character and the individual uniqueness is what allows their show to be so entertaining.  From the beautiful bombshells of  Nicki Minaj and Shanell to the young talents of Lil Chuckee & Lil Twist to the N.O. hard spittas Gudda Gudda & T Streets. Add in the TX Screw of Houston's Short Dawg, the New York State of Mind from Jae Millz and the West Coast Rider Tyga and you have the basis for an extremely solid supporting cast.  Then you consider the CEO/Rapper/Singer Mack Maine and The Rookie of The Year Drake and you easily see why Lil Wayne is easily one of the most influential individuals in the music industry.  The new album only serves as a means of publicly staking their claim of power in hip hop.

As an album, one might venture to think that all of this talent would clash and that the music would not live up to the hype.  In reality, the album is an amazing collection of great production and crazy wordplay which ends up providing something for everyone.  For those who need a more commercial hip hop sound they have tracks like "Every Girl" and "Bedrock" which have both been smash sensations since being released as the first two singles.  There are plenty of memorable lines from everyone in the camp be it Nicki saying "I'm In The Collard Green Six Cornbread In The Guts/ Halloween Kicks Trick Or Treat'N Tha Clutch" or Gudda spitting "But Neva Mind Them Hoes. I Got All Kind Of Flows/ I Switch Em Up So Quick I Got A Timeless Flow" to Drake flaunting "They Say I'm One Of The Illest That's Just Off A First Impression/ And My Cards Always Accepted/ I Don't Deal Well With Rejection".  There is certainly no shortage of quotes. Another point is that essentially there are two types of formats utilized amongst the tracks which allows each artist to not only shine individually but builds the overall appeal of the collective group.  One such type is the traditional verse hook verse approach that most hip hop songs use.  Examples of this are "Streets Is Watchin'", "Play In My Band", and "Gooder".  However, this approach is complemented by the album's use of another, more raw, style which is the Hip Hop Cipher.  Examples of this are "F*** Da Bulls", "Roger That", and "Finale".  What this more lyrically-focused approach does is focus on the talent of the label rather rely on production or concepts to gain appeal.  The balance between these two contrasting styles makes the album constantly feel fresh and sets a standard for what is to be expected from the camp.

The "We Are Young Money" album is a very big album in many ways for hip hop and music period.  With individual projects slated for Nicki Minaj, Drake, Mack Maine and Wayne already slated, the possibilities are mind boggling.  The success that the group is already synonymous given their youthful age in the game can mean only one thing, Young Money Entertainment should be on the minds of many for years to come. Here is the numbers breakdown:

Production: 4 out of 5
Concept: 5 out of 5
Lyrics: 4 out of 5
Re-playability: 4 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Overall: 4.4 out of 5

Track Listing:

1. Gooder (Jae Millz, Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda & Mack Maine) [Brizzy Blaize]

2. Every Girl (Lil Wayne, Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda & Mack Maine) [Tha Biznezz]

3. Ms. Parker (Lil Wayne, Mack Maine & Gudda Gudda) [Tha Bizness]

4. Wife Beater (T-Streets, Lil Wayne, Jae Millz & Tyga) [Kane Beatz]

5. New Shit (Gudda Gudda, Lil Wayne, Jae Millz & Mack Maine) [Chase N. Cashe & B. Carr]

6. Pass The Dutch (Lil Wayne, Short Dawg,Gudda Gudda, & Drake) [Chase N. Cashe]

7. Play In My Band (Shanell & Lil Wayne) [Willy Will]

8. Fuck da Bullshit (Nicki Minaj, Gudda Gudda, Lil Wayne & Drake) [Andrew "Papa Justifi" Wansel
& Warren "Oak" Felder]

9. Bedrock (Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga & Jae Millz) [Kane Beatz]

10. Girl I Got You (Lil Chuckee & Lil Twist) [Infamous]

11. Steady Mobbin (Lil Wayne) feat Gucci Mane [Kane Beatz]

12. Roger That (Nicki Minaj, Tyga & Lil Wayne) [Phenom]

13. She Is Gone (Lil Wayne, T-Streets, Jae Millz & Gudda Gudda) [Kane Beatz]

14. Strees Is Watchin' (Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, T-Streets, Jae Millz & Nicki Minaj) [David Banner]

15. Finale Young Money [Infamous & Angel "OnHel" Aponte]

Official Every Girl Music Video

Young Money - Every Girl [Official Music Video]

Lil Wayne | Online | MySpace Video

 
Official Bed Rock Music Video HD


Behind The Scenes at the Bed Rock Video



Young Money at the America's Most Wanted Tour


Young Money at the America's Most Wanted Tour (continued)



Wayne's Entrance at the AMW Tour

Deal or No Deal Album Review

Today's new, technology-infused culture of hip hop is allowing the world to gain exposure to talents who otherwise may never be heard.  The latest new artist to take advantage of this is Pittsburgh's own Wiz Khalifa. Many would agree that leaving a major label company would spell almost instant doom for an artist in the music industry but luckily for Wiz, success has not eluded him.  His latest album, "Deal or No Deal", released Novemeber 24, 2009, reached the number 1 spot on the iTunes Store Hip-Hop/Rap chart and even cracked the overall top chart on the iTunes Stores.

"Deal or No Deal" is essentially summed up in the album's first single "This Plane".  In this euphoric, somewhat spiteful track, Khalifa discusses his angst felt against individuals that have hindered his artistic progress while also flaunting his good fortunes he has found by leaving them behind. Lines like "It's lonely at the top, I'm tired of having company/ Uh, so while you busy trying to fit in, I'm a stand out / And view my life through this lens to see how it pan's out" show Wiz's determination to remain unique in this industry of "Copy-Cat" artists.  It is in the unique and refreshing outlook on life one can only find from being released from some great oppression that the foundation for all of "Deal or No Deal" can be found.  Another stand out track features Curren$y, an artist who too can relate to the postion Wiz now is in, entitled "Friendly".  In this easy-going track the two come with an ultra-confident demeanor and take turns extending a "friendly" invite to the ladies.  As Wiz rides the waves of the synthesized beat, he speaks "If You Wit It, Get In! What You Sippin? I Hit It Out The Park That's If You Pitchin'!" as he imagines his dialogue with his potential company for the night.  He changes the pace with "Hit The Flo" a potential club banger sampling Soulja Boy "Donk".  Essentially, this album is a look into the smoke, money, and luxury-filled life that the 22 year old Wiz Khalifa now lives despite not having a major deal.

Between the lines, from beginning to end, Deal or No Deal is a solid album.  His production definitely caters to his unique delivery and allows Wiz to truly express his thoughts on his situation while also inviting listeners in to actually hear what he has to say.  Here is the breakdown of the album by the numbers:

Production: 4 out of 5
Concept: 4 out of 5
Lyrics: 3 out of 5
Re-playability: 3 out of 5
Features: 1 out of 5
Overall: 3.0 out of 5

Wiz Khalifa Interview with Fab 5 Entertainment

Part 2 of Interview

The Making of Red Carpet (The Movie) with producer Ryan Tedder

Last Song... Jackson's Own: Recognition

In case you missed Friday's edition of 106 & Park, Jackson, Mississippi's R&B Duo Recognition's "Last Song" was featured as the new song of the day. Shot completely in Jackson's Downtown area, the video features the group in Jackson Nightlife Hot Spot "Club Touch". Big ups to the director, Kang Bear! If you missed it, the official video is below. Go to http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/106andpark/106_Vote_Poll.htm to vote for the video. 


Follow @2recognition @isware2godrank & @RicoSivad on twitter.com

Last Song


Behind The Scenes Footage on SWAH Tube 


Go Vote For The Video

An In-Depth Look At The Concept of Hate

I thought I would take a break from the music to discuss a concept that plagues individuals from all walks of life... Hatred.  Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines Hate as "an intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury".  In general terms, hate is a great dislike for someone or something.  It come in many forms from a simple statement made in opposition of someone's good and productive state to actions taken to remove the being or principal of which one hates.  Regardless of how it manifests, hate is an element of everyday life that we as humans do not welcome yet seemingly cannot avoid.

The concept of hate has been discussed far and wide since the beginning of time.  From this single syllable, many off-spring such as jealousy, loathing, etc. have come forth as mediums for hate.  In psychology, Dr. Sigmund Freud defined hate as "an ego state that wishes to destroy the source of its unhappiness". Furthermore, hatred is believed to be long-lasting, many psychologists consider it to be more of an attitude or disposition than a (temporary) emotional state.  In effect, hatred is a psychological disposition of which we are all forced to either suppress or allow to be expressed, which sadly more often occurs.

My experiences with hate have led me to this conclusion, to hate another is to hate yourself. Coretta Scott King once said "“Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.” Being on both ends of the spectrum, the hater and the hated on, I have seen the development of hate over time and its destructive nature within relations.  An individual may hate on another because that person is in a better situation and their admiration is released as hatred.  Another individual may hate because they have been taught for so long to believe one thing that anything in opposition becomes a direct threat to their philosophy as is in the case of hate crimes.  Yet another individual may hate as a result of personality complexes such as stubbornness or control issues.  Regardless of how hate comes about, there is a common thread amongst all situations of hate and that is that the individual has issues within.  Often times the easiest way to resolve a conflict internally is to diminish the worth of another.  Although this is a means of correction in the eyes of many, it is also a temporary one.  If you are upset with the wealth others have accumulated, "hating" on that person will not fix the issue of your lack of wealth.  In fact, to hate on someone else is really just a means of postponing having to address your own feelings of self-worth, or the lack there of.  As one engages in hatred, the thing often oversee is a very simple one, how can that change my situation.  If instead we choose to examine our personal shortcomings and dedicate our efforts towards overcoming them or agreeing that they are simply our own human imperfections, maybe then the occurrences of hate in this world will decrease.

As I close, I choose to leave you with a poem by James Stephens entitled Hate:

My enemy came nigh,
And I
Stared fiercely in his face.
My lips went writhing back in a grimace,
And stern I watched him with a narrow eye.
Then, as I turned away, my enemy,
That bitter heart and savage, said to me:
"Some day, when this is past,
When all the arrows that we have are cast,
We may ask one another why we hate,
And fail to find a story to relate.
It may seem then to us a mystery
That we should hate each other."

Thus said he,
And did not turn away,
Waiting to hear what I might have to say,
But I fled quickly, fearing had I stayed
I might have kissed him as I would a maid.

Sign Language: I Love You

Sex Therapy: The Experience Album Review

Few artists have have been blessed with a voice that captures the attention of audiences from nearly every walk of life.  Fortunately for R&B songwriter Robin Thicke, he has just that.  In recent years, Thicke has been linked to projects ranging from playing piano on Usher's "Love In This Club" to writing and producing Lil Wayne's "Tie My Hands" and Jennifer Hudson's "Giving Myself".  Following the success of two studio albums, The Evolution of Robin Thicke and Something Else, much was expected of Robin Thicke's forthcoming 4th studio album.  Realizing this, Robin went in with a fresh and a completely free mind. From his deliberations we get Sex Therapy.

The album opens with a brief introduction to set the scene for the album.  With this album, Thicke decides to assume the role of an expert on what the ladies want and has his "assistant" welcome you into his office.  From there he opens with "Mrs. Sexy" where Thicke describes his techniques of luring in a new lady through his charm and conversation.  From there we get into the extra explicit side of Robin with the title track "Sex Therapy" produced by Polow Da Don.  The sensual nature of the track leaves no doubt in listeners minds exactly what is meant by the title and is sure to be on many late night mix CDs for years to come.  Following this, the album takes a turn and goes into a more up-tempo, playful sound but does not lose it's sexual nature.  The album then continues on this wave-like pattern that is comparable to any great sexual encounter.  It appears that he attempts to cover every aspect of sex from the slow and sensual, to the fun nature of foreplay, to the rough and physical nature of that prime-time action! Definitely a must have for anyone expecting company with "interactive" intentions.

I find Sex Therapy to be a really good album.  Although it more than likely will not reach the success of The Evolution of Robin Thicke, this does not diminish the quality of the album.  Of the 18 tracks on the deluxe edition entitled "The Experience", I like the bulk of them and maybe 3 or 4 tracks could potentially be singles. Here is the break-down:

Production: 4 out of 5
Concept: 4 out of 5
Lyrics: 4 out of 5
Re-playability: 3 out of 5
Features: 3 out of 5
Overall: 3.6 out of 5

Track Listing:
01. 911
02. Mrs. Sexy
03. Sex Therapy [Polow Da Don]
04. Meiple featuring Jay-Z [Pro-Jay and Robin Thicke (Co-Produced by Jeff Bhasker)
05. Make U Love Me [Rich Skillz]
06. It's In The Mornin featuring Snoop Dogg [Teddy Riley]
07. Shakin' It 4 Daddy featuring Nicki Minaj [Polow Da Don]
08. Elevatas featuring Kid Cudi
09. Start With A Kiss
10. Rollacoasta featuring Estelle
11. Million Dolla Baby featuring Jazmine Sullivan
12. 2 Luv Birds [Dre & Vidal]
13. I Got U
14. Jus Right
15. Mona Lisa
16. Brand New Luv
17. Diamonds featuring Game
18. Sex Therapy Remix featuring Ludacris

Sex Therapy




Meiplé Studio Session
 

Batman & Robin: Superhero Language

As I sit here listening to the new DJ Spinz Presents J. Futuristic & Yung LA: Batman & Robin (Superhero Language) mixtape I started searching for words to describe it.  Out of nowhere, track 9 comes on that summarizes the entire mixtape in 3 simple letters, T.T.U. (Too Turnt Up)!  When J & La first invaded the scene with tracks like "First Name, Last Name" and "Ain't I" they brought with them their colorful outlook on life.  It was a sound that the game had not known yet, not the stereotypical dopeboy/hustla flow or the loverboy language that many rappers utilize in their raps, these two new artists decided to attack the game from a completely different angle. This sound would eventually become known as exactly for what it is, futuristic.  As the two began to express their unique perspective, their buzz steadily grew.  Individually, as two of the young trendsetters in hip hop, when it came time for the two to collaborate, it was only right that they sought out one of the new age bosses on the DJ scene, DJ Spinz.  With all of this creative genius coming together on one collective effort, it would only be expected that something unbelievably great would be the result. Like something out of a comic strip, Batman & Robin (Superhero Language) comes back from the future to entertain you.

The mixtape opens up with an introduction from our resident superheroes Batman (J. Futuristic) & Robin (Yung LA).  From the jump you know the mixtape is going to travel at the speed of light as Batman comes on turnt ALL the way up.  With all characters introduced, the story begins with "What The Game Missin" as seen through LA and J's eyes.  "What The Game Need, What The Game Missin, Leland & J-Man, Super Futuristic" is how J. Futuristic chooses to begin the battle.  The first chapter of the story is essentially about money and how our heroes tend to use it.  In "Money Addict", Robin states: "Black & Red Mazi & Tha Audi Grey & Blue/ Leland & J-Mane Now You Know We T-T-U" as a means of describing just what money can buy.

After a brief smoke break, we dive into the superhero vernacular that is implied by the mixtape title.  Songs like "Sauce Remix" and "TTU" give J. & LA the opportunity to explain the language that we've grown accustomed to like "BABAOW", "Sauce", "Turnt Up", etc.  From there Batman & Robin address their villains, better known as Swagger Jackers.  Here we get tracks like "Na Na Na" and "Gotta Have Fun" where J & LA tell us how to keeper the jackers at bay, by swagging on them to the max.  With another pause so that Yung LA can address the listeners, we dive back into the story with "Trap Goin Live" and "Futuristic Differenter", two more major tracks to check out. After one last interlude to remind you to follow all of the characters of the Batman & Robin (Superhero Language) comic strip.

To sum it up, Batman & Robin (Superhero Language) is a mixtape you are going to want to check out.  J. Futuristic and Yung LA provide plenty of bangers to ride to and serves as a good update to where the two are at this point in their rap careers.  Here is the break down of the mixtape:

Production: 4 out of 5
Concept: 4 out of 5
Lyrics: 3 out of 5
Re-playability: 3 out of 5
Features: 2 out of 5
Overall: 3.2 out of 5

01. Intro
02. What The Game Missin
03. Money Addict
04. Money Is My Friend
05. Go Go Gadget
06. Smoke Break
07. Show Up & Show Out
08. Sauce Remix
09. TTU
10. Cars & Athletes Ft. Lil Chuckee
11. Swagger Jacker Interlude
12. Na Na Na Ft. Roscoe Dash
13. Turnt Up Freestyle
14. Gotta Have Fun Ft. Meany & G Fresh
15. Futuristic Playhouse
16. Yung LA Checks IN
17. On You
18. Trap Goin Live
19. Futuristic Differenter Ft. Travis Porter
20. Superhero Language
21. Overseas
22. Shawty Futuristic
23. Twit Break
24. Damn I Look Good Ft. Big Kuntry & Young Dro (Yung LA)
25. Left To Right Ft. Slim (J. Futuristic)

DJ Spinz Presents J. Futuristic & Yung La Batman & Robin: Superhero Language

Na Na Na

When The Saints Go March'N In...

As we approach the close of week 14 there is has been one common theme every week... a Saints Win!  Whether you jumped on the bandwagon as wins accumulated or you prophetically picked the Saints before the season has started, few could have ever predicted the success that has come with the 2009-10 season.  Not only are the Saints winning but was has been most impressive is the variety in there paths to victory.  One week it may be the almost inhuman offense that we have all grown to expect out of third year Coach Sean Payton's genius.  Another week we see something that Saints fans have not known for years, wins earned by all-pro performances out of the defense.  Yet another week we saw struggles on both sides of the ball where poise and perseverance would lead the Saints to yet another win.  Regardless of how they did it, even if sometimes by just pure luck, the 2009 Saints are reaching territories previously unheard of by Saints teams of years past.

Coming into the 2009 season, many knew one thing was certain about the Saints, they are going to move the ball and score a lot of points.  The Drew Brees led offense certainly has not let fell short of any of those expectations.  Brees has led the NFL this season with the most yards per attempt (9.02), the most touchdowns (29) and the highest QB rating (111.3).  This season 10 different receivers have been on the other end of those 29 touchdowns.  Of these receivers, number 1 receiver Marques Colston has seen great success with his two biggest games coming in arguably the two biggest games of the season (8 receptions, 166 yards, and 1 touchdown vs the Giants and 4 receptions, 121 yards, and a touchdown vs the Patriots).  With an ankle and hamstring keeping the Saints leading receiver Lance Moore sidelined for most of the 2009 season, the opportunity to fill his shoes was presented for someone to step up.  That someone has been 6-year veteran Devery Henderson as he is having a career season and has seemingly corrected his major flaw of dropping catches that plagued him for years coming out of LSU.  Add in contributions by Robert Meachem and Jeremy Shockey and a plethora of many more.  It would seem that with an passing offense like this how could this team ever lose.


The difference in 2009 and previous years has been the major adjustments, both on and off the field.  The first change came on the offensive side of the ball.  What plagued the Saints offense the most in 2008 was it's imbalance in play-calling and lack of a solid run game.  Looking to fix this, Coach Payton decided to dedicate the 2009 to balancing out the offense.  Answering this call, Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell have solidified the Saints rushing game with career seasons to make it the  fifth best rushing attack of all the NFL.  Another black-eye on the Saints reputation of years past was the defense, or rather the lack there of! Simple enough, Coach Payton and GM Mickey Loomis brought in defensive mastermind Greg Williams known for his great defenses.  Add in first round pick Malcolm Jenkins, coverage specialist Jabari Greer, and future hall of famer Darren Sharper and the results have been a markedly improved defense.  These improvements have rounded the 2009 Saints from a one dimensional juggernaut into an well-balanced, undefeated TEAM!

The accomplishments the 2009 Saints have accumulated thus far are not done yet.  Having secured a first round bye and a divisional title the only thing the Saints are playing for at this point is pride.  Many are asking if Coach Payton will go for an undefeated season a feat that has only been accomplished by 4 teams in 90 years of NFL history. The simple answer is YES! Anyone who has any knowledge of Coach Sean Payton knows that he is a modern-day cowboy and lives for the thrill of  the moment.  As the weeks pass and the wins pile up, the Saints are continuing to march on towards the magic season... and undefeated season and maybe even a NFL Championship.

The State vs Radric Davis Album Review

It could be argued that since this summer, no rapper saw more success in 2009 than Gucci Mane. Earning features with artists ranging from Mariah Carey to Usher to Yo Gotti to Lil Wayne, it is safe to say that Gucci was definitely a hot commodity. To further his success, we saw Gucci release major mixtapes such as Writing on the Wall, The Movie 2, and The Cold War 3 Disc/ 3 DJ Mega Mixtape. As the year closed it is safe to say, there was only step left to solidify 2009 as the year of Gucci and that was to close out with the release of his second studio album... The State vs Radric Davis!

Understanding the magnitude of this album, Gucci Mane sought out production from seemingly everywhere. He begins the album by calling up Grammy-Nominated Producer Drumma Boy to lay the foundation for what would become something "Classical"! Drumma Boy sets the stage with the classicial piano and the voices of a choir to paint a regal and majestic aura on the track. You get Gucci in an aggressive flow and rounds out the track with the choir chanting "Nothing's Gonna Stop My Reign.... Gucci" After a brief interlude featuring Mike Epps, we dive into the heart of the album. Gucci decides to begin with the subject he knows all too well... Ballin! With tracks like the Heavy and Lemonade, Gucci chooses to reflect on the wealth he has accumulated to this point with great splendor and craft. With lines like "I Took 300 Out My Stash And I Went & Bought A Phantom/ I Need Some Toilet Paper I The S*** In East Atlanta" Gucci sets out to further the notion that he ain't missing any meals these days.

From there the album changes pace and addresses the ladies that enter his life. This section seemingly is more for new fans he gained with tracks like Obsessed or LoL Smiley Face. As such, these tracks come off as a little more pop as he utilizes producers like Polow Da Don for "Spotlight" or FATBOI for "Bad, Bad, Bad". This attempt at commercial success can't be faulted but in a hit or miss situation these tracks certainly miss. As such, this section becomes a dull point in the album and seemingly serve as filler tracks for the album as oppose to adding to the overall appeal of the work. It should be noted that all is not lost as we do get tracks such as the Zaytoven banger "I Think I'm In Love" or the FATBOI beat "Sex In Crazy Places".

At this point in the album, Gucci goes back to the Street/ Trap sound that we all associate Gucci with. No better way to jump-start the album back up than with the resurrection of Jazze Pha as he produces a hood classic entitled "The Movie". Here Gucci aims giving the people the sound that many fell in love with over the summer. Tracks like "Volume" and "Gingerbread Man" aim at those Gucci fans that have been with him as he built his name through all of the mixtapes and closes out with the Fall 2009 Anthem "Wasted".

The album closes out with two Drumma Boy tracks that truly hit home as "Real Life" music that most of us can relate two. The first is "Kush Is My Cologne" which is an ode to all the "Mary Jane" lovers of this world. A well crafted track that opens with the godfather of Southern Rap and Real Music, Bun B, the song places you in a copacetic and relaxed with the ambiance created. The album then goes on to close out with summary of Gucci's life up to this album and the controversies he's been apart of. Quite possibly the best song on the album, "Worst Enemy" paints Gucci in a realistic and slightly vulnerable state and is truly one of our first insights into Radric Davis. One of the best lines comes form the third verse "All My Homies Ain't My Homies/ Half My Friends No Longer Want Me/ I'm Still Hungry As I Was When I Did My First Live Performance". In this conclusion to the album we finally dive through all the facets of who Gucci Mane and find Radric Davis at the core of it all. With one more skit from Mike Epps and Gucci and the official "Wasted Remix", we reach the end of the State vs Radric Davis and the only thing that is left is the verdict from the jury... YOU!

All in all I find The State vs Radric Davis to be a very good album. Of the 20 tracks found on the album, I find myself only skipping over 3 or 4 songs. Here is the break down of the album:

Production: 4 out of 5
Concept: 3 out of 5
Lyrics: 3 out of 5
Re-playability: 4 out of 5
Features: 3 out of 5
Overall: 3.4 out of 5

Track Listing
01 Classical (Intro) [Drumma Boy]
02 Interlude: Toilet Bowl Shawty/Mike Epps
03 Heavy [Shawty Redd]
04 Stupid Wild ft. Lil Wayne & Cam’Ron [Bangladesh]
05 All About The Money ft. Rick Ross [Drumma Boy]
06 Lemonade [Bangladesh]
07 Bingo ft. Soulja Boy Tell’Em & Waka Flocka Flame [Scott Storch]
08 Spotlight ft. Usher [Polow Da Don]
09 I Think I’m In Love ft. Jason Caesar [Zaytoven]
10 Bad Bad Bad ft. Keyshia Cole [FATBOI]
11 Interlude: Toilet Bowl Shawty/Mike Epps
12 Sex In Crazy Places ft. Bobby V, Nicki Minaj & Trina [FATBOI]
13 The Movie [Jazze Pha]
14 Volume ft. Wooh Da Kid [J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League]
15 Gingerbread Man ft. OJ Da Juiceman [Mannie Fresh]
16 Wasted ft. Plies [FATBOI]
17 Kush Is My Cologne ft. Bun B, Devin the Dude & E-40 [Drumma Boy]
18 Worst Enemy [Drumma Boy]
19 Interlude: Toilet Bowl Shawty/Mike Epps
20 Wasted (Remix) [FATBOI]

Heavy


Lemonade


Spotlight


Wasted


Worst Enemy