| -REVIEW INTRO-The
Ruff Ryders are shooting 50% when it comes to compilation albums. The first one became a
classic, and put Swizz beats on the map as one of the greatest producers of all time. The
second one, did the exact opposite. This is the make or break album for the Ruff Ryders,
after disappointing albums from Drag-On, Jadakiss, and a decent (but not stellar) Eve
album. Well, I'm just here to tell all of you RR doubters...they're back
-TRACK RUN-DOWN-
1. Intro
– Intro with the tag line "In 'R' We Trust", a lot of
talking from Swizz Beats over a nice piano chorded beat. Nothing worth while, but he's
saying that this cd is going to show the new sound of Ruff Ryders. Bout time we get some
new ish from these guys.
$.10
2. Dirrty (ft. Petey Pablo & Drag-On) – Considering that Timbaland,
Trackmasters, and Swizz are counted as producers on this cd, its hard to tell who's doing
what beats. Anyway, this beat is hot as hell. So, by default I would hand it off to Timbo.
And like usual, if its not his album..Drag-On brings the heat. Mr. Ruff Ryder and
Mr. North Carolina bring it home.
$3.50
3. They Ain't Ready (ft. Jadakiss & Bubba Sparxxx) –
This one's a little easier to see who the beat is from...thanks to Timbo's ad libs in the
back...plus his protégé is a guest. First single here, and there is a video around
somewhere out there. These beat is crazy, and its good to see that Interscope is cashing
in on the newly acquired Timbaland and beat club.
$4.00
"I'm white just by chance, but I'm country by God's graces. Nowadays, I find myself
doing laundry in odd places." - Bubba Sparxxx
"Don't get the plot wrong. This ain't a black or white politic thing. Cocksucka,
its a hot song." - Jadakiss
4. U, Me, and She (ft. Eve) – For the
first time in a while, three sweet beats in a row for the Ruff Ryders. Thats like a record
or something. Anyway, on this song Eve spits about how she's stressed over a man who's
playing her with another man. The first Eve song I've liked in a long ass time.
$2.75
5. Cali Love (Skit) – A skit talkin about the Ruff Rydaz giving
some Cali Love, and how they are bringing some westside heat as well.
$.25
6. Eastside Ryders (Styles P & Eastsidaz) – Another collabo, this time feat the west
coast duo with the Ruff Ryders LOX member Styles. None of these guys are lyrical geniuses,
but the beat is hot enough to keep the track moving past the faults on mic skills
$1.75
7. Rock Bottom (ft. Fiend) – The
former No Limit Solider (don't fear, he was far superior to anyone in his camp) is now a
Ruff Ryder. Fiend still comes with the gritty dark rhymes he was always famous for, and
fits like a glove with these Ruff Ryders.
$3.50
8. We Don't Give A Fuck (ft. Drag-On & Fiend)
– On this song, Drag finds himself in another classic duo. This time with
the gritty voiced Fiend, who comes in for chorus purposes only. This song is going to
become an anthem or sorts to all of those angry people out there. I still fail to see how
Drag is this sweet on soundtracks, but his own album suffers so much.
$4.00
"We don't give a fuck about none of ya'll. I'm talkin about all yall. Don't make me
grab that thing and get to runnin ya'll. Every single motha fuckin one of ya'll" -
Fiend
"I'm the reason niggaz jump outta buildings. Shit, they rather let that hard ground
kill em than to run down sizzlin." - Drag On
9. Some South Shit (Ludacris, Yung Wun,Fiend) - It
appears that the Ruff Ryders are taking this album to all the coasts, as on this track
they head to the ol dirty south. This song is a little to happy for my liking, I think its
the beat. However, the three Emcee's hold the track down on their own.
$2.50
"She said was a stripper, but said she
wanted to rhyme. And if I gave her a deal, she make her legs stretch back to her
spine." - Ludacris
10. Street Team (ft. Infa-Red/Cross/Drag-On) – OH SHIT!! It
appears that Ruff Ryders comes with one of those tracks on every album that just causes
lost of control of your neck and all bodily functions. Here it is. This is the song that
will just cause everyone around to pay attention. And what better way to get two
relatively unknown artists some clout. The reason this song is titled Street Team, is
cause this track will knock while you're riding down the street.
$5.00
11. Put It In Your Hole (Skit) – This track starts off with two men
who are in jail, and all because someone refused to put that "shit" in their
hole. You'll get in when you hear it. They then flashback to the
situation that caused their jail time, and end the skit with the beginning of a high speed
chase with the law.
$.20
12. Shoot Em In The Head (ft. Styles) – This song is probably the weakest
track on the album, and that's unfortunate since Styles is one of the best rhymers in Ruff
Ryders. This song is just to boring, and the chorus is laughable and just totally
unoriginal.
$.30
13. Keep Hustlin' (ft. LOX) – I know the Lox can come with
better hooks than this, but I guess they are in a low point now. Luckily, the verses
on this album cause you to forget the carbon copy hook. This is an anthem or sorts to all
those with drugs, guns, and money, to keep that ish going.
$1.10
"D block where the hammers is at. Every night is like the Apollo with guns...even
amateurs clap." - Jadakiss
14. Gonna Be Sumthin (ft. Infa Red/Cross/Aja) - Next Generation Ruff Ryders
here, and this sounds like a Trackmasters beat. Anyway, these guys show that there are
some nice recruits on the second string of Ruff Ryders team. With a few more tracks under
their belt, and hanging with the likes of LOX and 'X', they should be ok.
$2.20
15. Friend of Mine (ft. DMX) – The founder
of it all finally makes his presence on this album, and gets a rather mediocre track. Its
not bad, but compared to 75% of this album..this song blows. I'm not a big fan of rappers
singing throughout their songs when they claim to be the hardest thing next to God.
*cough* Ja Rule *cough*. I know that's not the case with 'X', but it makes me question the
merits with this track.
$.50
16. Can't Let Go (ft. Parle) - Every rap clique eventually has to dip
into the r&b relm with one of their groups. Death Row tried, No Limit Tried, and now
Ruff Ryders. With the exception of So So Def and Bad Boy, no one should ever try again.
$.00
17. Ruff Ryders Rookie Allstar - This track is a showcase of all the next gen Ruff
Ryders. The first two emcees have some very annoying voices, but they have some lyrical
talent. The female is pretty hot, and the emcee following her is probably the hottest of
the 5. Everyone else is pretty forgettable.
$1.75 |
