Chamillionaire Album: “Ultimate Victory [Circuit City Exclusive]”

When Ridin exploded onto the radio a couple years ago, we got a glimpse of how good Chamillionaire is. Although that song got repetitive, it was a good indication of Cham's ability.

On his sophomore album, his ability finally shines clear. Released in the same month as Kanye and 50's new albums, Cham steals the show. In the ensuing months leading up to September, Ultimate Victory wasn't on anyones radar. Yet here it is, and its much better than 50, Kanye or anyone else expected. Each track, minus the two skits is an absolute banger, and the lyrics are superb as well. There were several tracks that struck me as extremely original or spectacular. This is not to say that the other tracks arent killer, it is a 5 cd album in my opinion after all, but these were the best and best described the overall feel of the album.

On the first track, The Morning News, Cham acts a news reporter, interpreting the news for the listener. This song has a great beat and opens the album off well. Its counterpart, The Evening News, follows the same line and is equally good.

Hip-Hop Police, the lead single for the cd comes on next. This is one of the most peculiar singles i have heard in a long time. By no means is this a bad song, but it does not have the commercial appeal of something like Ridin. Regardless, this track is spectacular in its own right. The inclusion of hip hop legend Slick Rick, known for his storytelling, elevates this track to the next level.

Industry Groupie: For anyone that knows the song Final Countdown, this song will be an unexpected surprise. For those that dont, Cham samples a techno beat,very much like Stronger by Kanye, only he does it much better. On this track, Cham absolutely rips the beat,spitting about a groupie that has slept with everyone in the rap industry, claiming that "even akon was smackin that". This is one of the catchiest songs i have heard in the last year, and will be stuck in your head for a long time.

I Think i Love You: Chamillionaire raps about all the trouble money can bring. A stellar track, Cham spits that "money cant buy me love but shes actin like she love me" Finally, he reps the message Notorious B.I.G. did on Mo Money Mo Problems so many years ago

This cd proves that Cham is not your stereotypical Southern Rapper. Ultimate Victory will be a strong contender for rap cd of the year. In the end, this cd has something for everyone. Its got lyrics, beats, style, and a great theme that runs throughout teh album, something thats become almost non-existant in rap today. I guarantee you will be spinning this cd for days. This is Chamillionaire's Ultimate Victory, victory over southern raps stereotypes, victory over 50 and Kanye, and victory over the media's decision to ignore his album.

Despite being a huge music fan and a regular buyer of CDs (a few every month, though that'll pick up in the upcoming weeks), I usually don't take the time to write reviews. This album, however, is put together so well that I simply feel compelled to do so.

I picked up Cham's "first" major-release, The Sound of Revenge shortly after it was released and immediately grew to admire his swagger and cleverness. The best thing was that despite the hot singles off that album ("Turn It Up" and "Ridin'"), it was a few other tracks, namely the explosive yet simple Boom-Clap, Boom-Boom-Clap beat of "In The Trunk," which I felt was the hottest track on the album. I've been fortunate enough to get both of his latest mixtapes off his website.

This release was probably my most anticipated of the year. And it certainly does not disappoint. From his first joint-single video of "Hip-Hop Police" and "Evening News," it was apparent that this would be a good effort from Cham. The beats are fresh, and unlike what one of the fellow reviewers wrote, I found nothing that he supposedly took off from other artists. Chamillionaire does have some political content, but I attribute that to his being a relevant artist who has a concern about the world around him. Sure, he has several songs regarding his riches, along with a song referring to groupies, but if you actually take the time to listen to his songs (you'd be doing yourself a favor with a true artist like Chamillionaire), it simply doesn't contain the demeaning stance that brings such a shadow on hip-hop.

I won't even bother comparing Cham to 50 Cent, but as far as Kanye West, I will say that Kanye brings creativity to his production, which Chamillionaire obviously does not possess. On the other hand, Chamillionaire is as talented of a lyricist as any in the game today. If you're looking for two more reasons to check out this album, here they are:

1. Chamillionaire does not cuss. That's right...despite his stature as a truly-accepted artist, he is able to do what he does without any profanity, garnering him even more respect from me, as such a act requires a more complex vocabulary.

2. Chamillionaire sings most of his own hooks, and surprisingly (or not), does a commendable job. In fact, I'll even go as far as to say that he comes close to holding his own against some of these R&B "singers" being released today.

Overall, a very solid album that will hopefully generate respectable numbers, as long as fans are willing to give him a listen.

I'll admit it that I didnt enjoy The Sound Of Revenge. Chamillionaire is good rapper but I just didnt feel that album. I heard Hip Hop Police(feat Slick Rick) and decided to pick this album up and Im impressed. Hip Hop Police is not the only song of substance on this album. The Morning New ,The Evening News and Ultimate Victory all have gems in them. Chamillionaire sounds energized on tracks like Wont Let You Down, Standing Ovation and Come Back To The Streets. Chamillionaire has some dope match ups in the form of The Bill Collecta(feat Krayzie Bone), Pimp Mode(feat Bun B), Welcome To The South(feat Pimp C) and Rocky Road(feat Devin The Dude). On Welcome To The South, Cham and Pimp C criticizes those that diss the south then try to emulate their style. Industry Groupie is creative track about a groupie that's been with every rapper in the game. Rock Star is pretty good(its better than Fly As The Sky) collabo with Lil Wayne even though Cham pretty much dominated that track. The Bill Collecta with Krayzie Bone is both of them explaining why you shouldnt gyp them when it comes to paper. I Think I Love is another creative track where Chamillionaire talks about money as if it was a chick. The only songs I didnt feel is The Ultimate Vacation and We Breakin Up. Bottom Line: Chamillionaire's Ultimate Victory is one of 2007's best releases as well as his best work. His rhymes were great on here, the production was superb and the guest appearances shined along with Chamillionaire. Chamillionaire proved without a shadow of a doubt that you can still make a great album without cursing. If you didnt cop this based off him not cursing then you dont know what you are missing. The best release from the south this year. Standout Tracks: THE MORNING NEWS, HIP HOP POLICE, STANDING OVATION, WONT LET YOU DOWN, INDUSTRY GROUPIE, PIMP MODE, COME BACK TO THE STREETS, THE EVENING NEWS, YOU MUST BE CRAZY and ULTIMATE VICTORY.

Definitely worth the money. Every song is good. Very comparable to the Kanye. All around a good CD. Don't download this support the artist. I would say download 50's album because it = garbage.

Chamillionaire broke into the commercial hip-hop scene in 2005, which was a year that was a breeding ground for Southern rappers to break through. Paul Wall, Three Six Mafia, and others were then getting massive radio airplay and was a fresh new sound, albeit Chamillionaire was one of the most successful with his catchy, f-the-police tribute "Ridin'" with Bone Thugs N Harmony's Krayzie Bone. Then the quality of Southern rap started to fade and Snap has gained massive popularity with acts such as Dem Franchize Boyz, D4L, Yung Joc, and more recently Soulja Boy. Yet Chamillionaire still brings a decent Southern hip-hop album when you need one. Single "Hip Hop Police" follows the "Ridin' Part II" route in that it's a song cleverly written to diss the police with a catchy beat and Slick Rick laying down a few well-flowing lines. "Industry Groupie" is a rather funny song about hip-hop artists (mentioning T-Pain) degrading women with a tough beat and a well added sample of Europe's "The Final Countdown". "Welcome to the South" with Pimp C is a very strong cut, with a rough, glassy, bumpin' beat and Chamillionaire gives an entrance into what the South is like. "Come Back to the Streets" is a solid diss song, and although the obliquatory ladies' songs "We Breakin' Up" and "I Think I Love You" are nothing special, they are surely above passable. The never give up song "Rocky Road" with Devin the Dude is a mellow and satisfying song, yet Chamillionaire ends the album in a bang with "Ultimate Victory", which is a song about artists selling out and putting out overly mainstream hip-hop. The Ultimate Victory should be praised specifically for how solid it is. The only song that is iffy is "Pimp Mode", which features Chamillionaire awfully singing the chorus, although its swagger is still humorous. And "Rockstar" is on the lines of been there, done that. Otherwise, Chamillionaire gives a bit of everything, more of his softer side, more of his rougher, gangsta side, a few strong disses, and even a bit of humour along catchy, bangful, and solid beats with a few guests to pack. The Ultimate Victory may not be as popular as The Sound of Revenge, but it still remains a very solid listen for Southern rap fans. 4 stars.