Yelawolf releases his debut album "Radioactive" which debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard charts, selling 41,000 copies in the first week. I wasn't sure what I was going to get with this album, but I was willing to listen. Radioactive is a good mixture of Rock and Rap songs. This album starts off on the gangsta side then gets a little sentimental towards the end. Lyrically this album isn't the best, but I was impressed with Yelawolf's flow and the topics that he chose to rap about. One song that stands out to me on this album is "Made In The U.S.A" where Yelawolf raps about poverty and drugs in the community. Overall this album is a good debut from Alabama's own Yelawolf. This album features artist like Mystical, Kid Rock, Eminem and more. I give Yelawolf's "Radioactive" 3.5/5 Mics.
Recommended Tracks "Lets Roll," "Everything I Love The Most," and "Write Your Name."
The queen of R&B drops her tenth album "My Life II" the sequel from her 1994 album My Life. Mary J. Blige’s My Life II…The Journey Continues Act 1 debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Charts, selling 164,700 in the first week. This album starts off with feel good music for the grown & sexy, including a remarkable remake of "Ain't Nobody" originally by the legendary Chaka Khan. On the soul side of this album, Mary J did a great job continuing to education the youth and delivering what we are use to hearing which is great inspirational songs. Overall I this is another solid album by Mary J. Blige. This album features artist like Nas, Beyonce, Busta Rhymes and many more. I give Mary J. Blige's "My Life II" 3.5/5 Vocal cords.
Recommended Tracks "Don't Mind," "Mr. Wrong," and "Feel Inside
Talk That Talk is the sixth solo album from the Barbadian artist Rihanna. This album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts, selling 197,040 in the first week. This may be Rihanna's sixth album but she shows no signs of slowing down. Rihanna shows a little more of her freaky side with songs like "Cockiness (Love It)" and "Birthday Cake" on this album. While listening to "Talk That Talk" I hear much less R&B and way more pop and dance hall music than her previous albums. One song in particular that I really enjoyed is "Drunk On Love" because of the powerful words. It's not much negative to say about this album except of the small variety of songs. Overall this is a good album from Def Jam Recording artist Rihanna. This album has guest appearances by Calvin Harris and Jay-z. I give Rihanna's "Talk That Talk" 3.5/5 Vocal Cords.
Recommended Tracks "Drunk On Love," "You Da One," and "We All Want Love."
Gym Class Heroes is set to release their second album to the sequel "The papercut Chronicles." I will start off by saying this album is very much different from from the last sequel. On this album The gym Class Heroes briefly touch on common issues in the industry and also pay homage to bands that paved the way. One song that stood out on this album is "Holy Horseshit, Batman" where religion and myths are questioned. I must say most of the songs on this album are carried by the many great Choruses. Overall this isn't a bad album from The Gym Class Heroes. I give The Gym Class Heroes "The Papercut Chronicles II" 3/5.
Recommended Tracks "Life Goes On," "Stereo Hearts," and "The Fighters."
Drake releases his second solo album "Take Care" on Young Money Record Label. This album debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Charts, selling 659,190 copies in its first week. Drake has done it again with another great album and this time he turns it up a notch. Although Take Care didn't have as much buzz as "Thank Me Later" it matches up pretty evenly with his debut album. On Take Care you will hear less over emotional songs than his last album "Thank Me Later." Majority of the songs on this album are good but it's hard to listen to a full song of drake singing. On the lyrical side, everything is there as expected along with his flow. Overall this is another great album from Young Money's own Drake. This album features artist like Rick Ross, Andre 3000, Nicki Minaj and many more. I give Drake's "Take Care" 4/5 Mics.
Recommended Tracks "Look What You've Done," "Under Ground Kings," and "Make Me Proud."
G-Unit member Lloyd Banks released his third solo album "The Hunger For More 2." This album debuted at No. 26 selling 45,000 copies in its first week. H.F.M.2 consist of hot punch lines, slick talk and head banging instrumentals. I must say this album was much better than his last album "Rotten Apple." On this album you wont hear much lines about hunger being that Lloyd Banks is pretty well established. Overall this is a pretty decent album, nothing too flashy or out the of the ordinary. This album features artist like Raekwon, Pusha T, 50 Cent and more. I give Lloyd Banks "Hunger For More 2" 3.5/5 Mics.
Recommended Tracks "Father Time," "I Don't Deserve You," and "Sooner Or Later."
American Gangster marks the tenth album from legendary rapper Jay-z. This album debuted at No.1 on the Billboard charts, selling 425,861 copies in its first week. This album was based on the popular movie American Gangster that tells a story about a big time hustler. American Gangster was a pretty good album giving its influential background story. On this album you'll get the pro's and cons of being a big time drug dealer. On the lyrical side of this album everything was on point. This album features artist like Pharrell, Beanie Sigel, Nas and more. I give Jay-z's "American Gangster" 3.5/5 Mics.
Recommended Tracks "Success," "Blue Magic," and "Fallin"
Legendary rapper Raekwon drops his fifth solo album Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Charts, selling 29,000 copies in its first week. What most rap albums fail to have now are good skits and this album has just that. I think it's safe to say that Raekwon mastered the art of story telling with the many great stories on this album. One song in particular that stood out on this album is "Maters Of Our Fate" simply because what it stands for. This album features artist like Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Lloyd Banks and more. I give Raekwon's "shaolin Vs. Wu-tang" 3.5/5 Mics.
Recommended Tracks "Masters Of Our Fate," "Snake Pond," and "Rich and Black."
Ambition debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts, selling 164,000 copies in its first week. I'm going to admit it and say this is my first time listening to a Wale album. This album has a nice melo and up tempo sound with songs like "Slight Work" and "Lotus Flower Bomb." Ambition is well balanced out with plenty of songs for the ladies and a few for the fellas. On the lyrical side this album doesn't really offer anything we haven't heard before. To make a long review short this was a pretty solid album from Wale. This album features artist like Kid Cudi, Lloyd, Meek Mill and more. I give Wale's "Ambition" 3/5 Mics
Recommended Tracks "Lotus Flower Bomb," ''Don't Hold Your Applause," and "Focused."
Gangster rapper 50 cent releases his second solo album The Massacre on March 3, 2005. The massacre debuted at No.1 selling 1.14 million copies in the first week. The Massacre is one of my favorite 50 Cent albums to date. On this album 50 Cent paints vivid pictures of the harsh realities he grew up in. The Massacre has good club bangers like "Lil Bit" and "Disco Inferno." The songs on this album are great motivators and anthem for hustlers all around the world. This album features artist like Eminem, Olivia, Jamie Foxx and more. I give 50 Cent's "The Massacre" 4/5 Mics.
Recommended Tracks "Gunz Come Out," "Ski Mask Way," and "I'm Suppose To Die tonight."
Under The Mistletoe debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Charts, selling 210,000 copies in its first week. Young pop artist Justin Bieber releases his second album Under The Mistletoe. This is Justin Bieber first Christmas album and I imagine that it would be on every teens Christmas list. Various Celebrities appear on this album including a brilliant duet with none other than Mariah Carey. This album isn't any greater than any other Christmas albums but it's definitely up there. I was surprised to know that Justin Beiber did a lot of writing on this album, I guess he really wanted to please his fans. This album has guest appearances by Usher, Busta Rhymes, Boyz 2 Men and many more. I give Justin Beiber's "Under The Mistletoe" 4/5 Vocal cords.
Recommended Tracks "Pray," "All I want For Christmas Is You," and "Mistletoe."
