Birdman/Pricele$$ Cash Money Cash Money’s HNIC, Birdman, reached that point again where he got bored sitting in the office counting money and the result of this boredom is another Birdman album. But, naturally, Priceless is a Cash Money family affair, with Lil Wayne and Drake doing the heavy lifting and Bird adding his two cents. While this album isn’t full of hits, “Money to Blow” and “More Milli” are among a few gems that make this an album worth turning up with the top down. - Rohit Loomba
B.G./Too Hood To Be Hollywood Chopper City/E1 With his first major label release (well, kind of) since his departure from Cash Money Records B.G. finally has the tools and resources to make the best album possible, but unfortunately the tools weren’t used very well. Monotonous production lulls the listener to sleep when paired with B.G.’s already lazy tone. While he still has the ability to craft his trademark blunt and to-the-point hood tales on songs like “Fuck Thang” and “Like Yeah” where he chronicles his drug usage, Too Hood To Be Hollywood could use a better script. – Maurice G. Garland
Clipse/Til The Casket Drops Re-Up/Star Trak/Columbia Many have tried cocaine rap but the only ones with true success have been The Clipse and Yo Gotti, and fortunately for everyone, the two came together on Clipse’s latest, Til the Casket Drops. Malice and Pusha T relentlessly match gritty lyrics to nearly flawless production courtesy of the Neptunes and DJ Khalil. On “Doorman,” the duo warns that they’re “about to put my money on the roof and crush this bitch,” but the music is enough for the two to clear most of rap out of the way. With an album like this the Clipse casket is nowhere in sight. - Rohit Loomba
62 // OZONE MAG
Curren$y/Jet Files Amalgam Digital/Fly Society Jet Files, the second album released by Curren$y on Amalgam Digital this year, is much like it’s predecessor, This Ain’t No Mixtape, which features an album with no major commercial standouts. Rather, Jet Files is a solid album that flows from top to bottom with 12 tracks like “Burn N Ounce” and “On My Way” to smoke and ride to. Randy Roper
Stat Quo Stat Quo hasn’t necessarily had things go his way, but there’s no holding him back regardless. Mixtape after mixtape Stat give his fans a more than healthy dose of real lyrics infused with his ATLien voice over production that sometimes seems stolen from the grips of a hungry New York emcee. But unlike his cocky East Coast counterparts Stat doesn’t display any arrogance on his tracks, only a confidence that is the result of all his experiences. “The Sun” and “Plenty Years” are among the few standouts that will have you listening to this a few times. - Rohit Loomba
DJ Khaled & E-Class/Live From The 305 E1/Poe Boy Judging from its cover, Live From The 305 is exactly what it sounds like it would be. DJ Khaled and Poe Boy executive E-Class put together a compilation featuring the best rappers Miami has to offer. Trick Daddy, Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Trina, Pitbull, Ace Hood, Brisco and a host of others all contribute a verse or two this project to represent for the M.I.Yayo. Live From The 305 is a good look for newer artists like Billy Blue, Brisco and Ball Greezy, but overall, these collections of songs sound like a watered-down DJ Khaled album. - Randy Roper 50 Cent/Before I Self Destruct Aftermath/Interscope/Shady There’s not much these days to remind us that G-Unit is still around but 50 Cent remains busy by bringing his latest, Before I Self Destruct. The album shows Fif’s obvious effort to go back to his grimey Jamaica Queens roots but tracks like “Get It Hot” hinder some of the high points like “Gangsta’s Delight” and “You’re Right.” - Rohit Loomba Wale/Attention Deficit D.C. has been waiting for a rapper to successfully come out of the city for years, and through Wale’s debut album, the national’s capital finally has a rap artist to celebrate. Attention Deficit mixes a mainstream sound, along with a go-go flavor, while Wale touches on topics like skin tone (“Shades”) and pretentious women (“90201”), and features guests like UGK vet Bun B on “Mirrors,” Jazmine Sullivan on “World Tour,” and fellow emcee J. Cole on “Beautiful Bliss.” A couple tracks like “Pretty Girls” featuring Gucci Mane and “Chillin’” with Lady Gaga sound somewhat contrived, and from time to time some of Wale’s doper punchlines and one-liners get lost in his lackadaisical flow, but there are more than enough standouts to get your attention on Wale’s debut. - Randy Roper R. Kelly/Untitled Jive The Pied Piper, R Kelly, brings everyone a new album, which in typical Kellz fashion, is meant to supplement your bedroom activities. Effectively chosen production mixed with Kellz’ sex-infused lyrics make Untitled another solid effort from the self proclaimed R&B king. Tracks like “I Love The DJ” even find this veteran trying new things without showing any signs of difficulty. While his personal life most definitely seems difficult at times, music doesn’t seem to stand a chance in slowing Kellz down. Once again R Kelly shows us why this generation of R&B is his. - Rohit Loomba
Wiz Khalifa/Deal or No Deal Rostrum Records Wiz Khalifa has come a long way since he crept onto the rap scene in 2005, and Deal or No Deal captures all of the changes he underwent since he welcomed us to Pistolvania. Opting to flow over synth-heavy production for most of the album, Wiz rarely makes the songs distinguishable from his 2007 hit “Say Yeah.” Fortunately he does switch things up a little towards the end of the album with songs like “Take Away,” but outside of that its obvious Wiz is aiming to be the best stoner rapper he can be. – Maurice G. Garland