Illuminati 2G

On album number three, ATL icon Young Jeezy spreads his wings-- flirting with radio-friendly R&B-influenced tracks and soul-tinged nostalgia-- while maintaining the same intense feel with his trademark slow-rap delivery and crack-peddling subject ...    Full Descriptionmatter. THE RECESSION largely relies on the same stable of producers who've been with Jeezy since LET'S GET IT-- Don Cannon, Midnight Black, Shawty Redd, Drumma Boy, and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. Thus the overall production sound is consistent with his first two solo albums--cinematic and brooding, built on seething synthesizers and frantic drum kits--while a handful of R&B hooks push THE RECESSION closer to commercial appeal. For the most part though, Jeezy keeps it gangsta as he reworks 2Pac's "Ambitions as a Ridah" on "Hustlaz Ambition," sneers at his enemies on "By the Way," and revisits his crackspot origins on "Crazy World." The biggest departure is undoubtedly the album's closer, "My President"--that sees Jeezy, alongside Nas, pondering the possibilities of a black president.

7 OUT OF 10

Two years after the Trick Daddy protégé hit the scene with his exceptional debut, PORT MIAMI, Rick Ross follows up with another thorough studio album rife with vivid gangsta storytelling and hard-thumping neo-G-Funk. On the whole, TRILLA is more party-oriented than the brooding PORT OF MIAMI, as Ross collaborates with a formidable group of big names from the worlds of contemporary R&B and hip-hop (R. Kelly, Trey Songz, T-Pain, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Nelly, Mannie Fresh, and Young Jeezy, among others). But Freeway Ricky still finds time to weave his grim drug-trade narratives over a handful of more menacing underground tracks, too. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, the Runners, Drumma Boy, Jonathan Rothem, DJ Toomp, and DJ Nasty handle production.

6.5 OUT OF 10

It been about 2 and a half years since his "Trill" was released (4.5 stars), and Bun B, the remaining member of UGK drops a classic here, and I'm gonna say that this will probably be one of the top 5 album of 2008. It starts a little slow but after track 6 it never looks back. With 16 songs, you get 1 classic, 4 almost classics, 2 ok songs, and the other 9 are good, with most being real good. Guests are a little heavy though, on all but 3 songs (only doing the hook on 6 and rapping on 7). After 16 years in the rap game, Bun B shows he still has one of the coldest and tightest flows that not many can match. Production is nice as well,     and handled by many people. Chops and Bigg Tyme each do 2 songs, Clinton Sparks, J.R. Rotem, Mr. Lee, Enigma, Scott Storch, Jazze Pha, Mouse, J. Rock, Cory Mo, Blackout Movement, Cozmo, and DJ Khalil all do 1 song. A must have album form one of the realest and best rappers.

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