Disco de Bow Wow: “The Price of Fame”

One-star reviews are something I rarely give out. I don't like reviewing a product if I have nothing remotely positive to remark about it, but I simply feel obligated to on Bow Wow's latest release, Price of Fame. Front and forward, I've gotta comment on the title of this release; Price of Fame. Bow Wow tricks unsuspecting buyers into thinking this could possibly be a mature, and introspective effort from the nineteen year old who dropped the "Lil'" in his name two LP's ago. Bow Wow's at a good age to offer wisdom from a youthful perspective, as Mobb Deep dropped The Infamous at the very same age.. however, while Mobb Deep were dropping knowledge over hardcore hip-hop backdrops aiming for classic status, Bow Wow's dropping club track after club track over poor, and overproduced beats hoping to rake in some cream with an album that, simply put, is well below subpar.

Firstly, Bow Wow's flow is horrendous. His breath control, or lack thereof, is abysmal. The beats he's chosen for his album are commercial rejects; much like everything Bow Wow's mentor, Jermaine Dupree, produces. Bow Wow doesn't even write his only songs, so I'm simply wondering, who the hell is ghostwriting this kid's lyrics, and why on earth does he still have a job? One reviewed quipped that the 'haters' who give this album negative reviews are jealous of Bow Wow's swagger; what swagger? Bow Wow doesn't sound comfortable on the microphone, despite having over half a decade in the game under his belt.

Bow Wow does offer a surpisingly insightful track in Outta My System, but even that one bit of insight can't save this abortion of an album. I didn't come into this release expecting anything more than a more mature, refined Bow Wow, and I came out seeing the same artist, and person he's been for the last six years; there's been no progress, and Bow Wow feels like little more than a persona created by JD, and his horrible entourage of ghostwriters. Even the likes of Nick Cannon could become a respectable artist in the hip-hop community, but Bow Wow isn't dropping any Can I Live?'s on Price of Fame. It's more of the same exact product you've been listening to since Bow Wow was telling you to "Bounce With Me." When Bow Wow says he's going to move all the 'old rappers out of the way' on Don't Know About That, you can't help but laugh at the sheer stupidity of that statement, and cringe at the disrespect. Bow Wow maybe young, but he's more washed-up than legends like KRS-1 or De La Soul, or even mainstream darlings like Snoop and Ice Cube; which is horrible, considering he was far below-average at his peak. If Bow Wow could dramatically, and quite frankly, miracuously, mature between this and his next release, then he maybe able to survive in the game, but if Bow Wow keeps going like this, it's time for this kid to hang up his hoodie.

The other day my friend and I were talking about the career spans of Bow Wow and Kris Kross. I stated Bow Wow has had a longer, successful career because there aren't too many good rappers out these days. My friend said Bow Wow is still popular because of the Internet and media exposure. We both could be right. There's nothing wrong with having self-esteem, but Bow Wow takes it to another level. Just like on his last CD "Wanted," Bow Wow is still boasting about how rich and popular he is and how he's such a ladies man. Not only that, but the music sounds like it was retrieved from a dumpster. There is nothing new, fresh, or mature about this CD and I can't believe that there are people who actually bought "Price of Fame" just to hear that kind of foolishness. Bow Wow needs to get it together- fast. Since he likes to brag about how much money he has, I hope he's learning about saving, investing, and starting his own business because I don't think his career is going to last much longer. "Price of Fame" is just like Kris Kross's "Young, Rich, & Dangerous" but much worse. At least there were a few good tracks off of Kris Kross's album. I don't like anything off of "Price of Fame." Skip this at all costs.

Lets get this straight now. Lil bow wow never had talent. He was just another cute lil kid marketing gimmick. But now he is older and he isn't that cute anymore (at least not cute to a straight male). Bow wow couldn't spit a dope bar to save his mother's life let alone make an album. Whoever is ghost writing for him needs to be slapped twice as hard as bow wow needs to be. I hope this album is the one that delivers a fatal blow to his rap career and sends him into immediate retirement. As a whole the album is weak, lyrics are on k-fed's level, and the beats are average. Avoid this album at all cost in order to spare your eardrums. Check out NaS or Mos Def for some quality music!

Wow. I really enjoyed this album. It was a great effort and it really showed such a growth from this man. Some of the tracks like Price Of Fame ; I didnt enjoy and the random intro is unneeded. But the rest was really good. I love the song Outta My System ; it was very refreshing from his other duets. T-Pain & Johnta bring some different to the song. I also love the beat. My other favorite song is I'm a Flirt. its a good song and it goes along the lines of every males thoughts. I like that. Also R.Kelly brought his vocals to it and made it sizzle. The reason I gave this 5 stars is because it deserved it ; you can really see Bow Wow's growth from young man to grown man. Not only was he writing on this album he produced some tracks on the album as well. Anyways other songs that deserve a mention is ; Give It To You, On Fiya, Bet That. Also the 2nd single is blazing out as well "Don't Know Bout That" it has a real hood feel that I like. 4 Corners is a song where I think alot of different fans of each artist can enjoy. I'm not really into that track ; but the rest of the songs make up for it. I'm also hugely attracted to the song Tell Me. I love the beat ; its got me hooked. Anyways I recommend this album to everybody who's looking for something fresh and different for this end of the year ; throughout the next.

To be honest this CD isn't half bad at all, however being an adult, I just can't see myself rocking to Lil...ahem...Bow Wow and he is years younger than myself. But for the younger crowd maybe 15-19, I'd say a good choice. I didn't really like Shortie Like Mine, the song was rather boring.