Ludacris Album: “Chicken & Beer [Edited]”

Ludacris, the ATL DJ turned rap phenomenon, drops his third highly anticipated album `Chicken & Beer'. After his earlier success with DTP leading the way on the 2 Fast 2 Furious soundtrack and the single `Act A Fool', Ludacris doesn't disappoint. Ludacris has the personality and charisma that makes him instantly likable. He has a different flow on each song and accentuates his WORDS to let you know he has confidence in his rhymes. And he should. Lyrically adept at talking about women and throwing game, and equally adept at dropping some fire for the underground. He was taken off the Pepsi contract earlier this year and one of his concerts was cancelled due to his `explicit lyrics'. He also had that surprise concert at Clark Atlanta University where they wouldn't let him curse. Eager to let out his anger, he bashes O'Reilly on several songs and has increased his tales about females.

You know Ludacris will get the clubs popping with anything he releases because he has so much energy. The Southern Fried Intro is just straight hotness. Ludacris gets with his double time flow on this and COMPLETELY RIPS IT. That's how you supposed to start off an album. Stand Up & P. Poppin (Luda used a House Party reference in there from Kid) are easily club bangers but other than that, there's not another club song. Surprisingly Ludacris laid it back a little on this album. These tracks are made for riding. `Hard Times' which features Eightball & MJG, Diamond In The Back ( which samples that William DeVaughn - Be Thankful ), Hip Hop Quotables (which screams Erick Sermon's signature style), and Teamwork are some chilled out tracks very different from anything Luda has previously done. He also has some gangsta tracks on here such as Eyebrows Down, and We Got, that has Chingy really ripping it, showing why he was signed in the first place (with production by DJ Paul). Splash Waterfalls is his song about the you know what. And it's really a great song. But they really show out on the pimpalistic `Hoes In My Room' which just HAD to feature Snoop. It just had to...the beat screams Snoop. And the chorus to this song is one of the catchiest of the year. You will definitely be singing along on this song. Another amazing song is Screwed Up feat. Lil Flip. This song has that syrupy Lil Flip Texas sound to it ( a little like a carnival or circus ) and once again the chorus is superior with the little `F You' chant.

Ludacris definitely delivers on this album. This album is currently tied with Back For The First Time as his best album. You can play this song all the way through just chillin and you ain't even gon have to change a track. The only letdown on this album comes from the skits that wish they were funny. Without those this album is the truth and I definitely recommend this one right here. Pick it up!

Ludacris is, judging by the reviews on the page, not very well liked. If you look through these reviews you will see a ton saying things like "mainstream rap is horrible",or "Ludacris dosnt deserve to stand behind a mic". Ingnore these statments, along with those of people like Bill O'Reilly who labeled Luda's lyrics as "irresponsible", and talked Pepsi out of signing an endorsment deal with him. Ludacris is an excellent musical talent dispite what these Hip-hop hating reviewers say. That being said, onto the album.

This album is fire. Hot tracks begining to end. It is full of catchy beats and great MC-ing. If you dont like some of the songs the first time around, give them another few listens as they are sure to grow on you. (I only liked "Stand Up" & "We Got" my first time through) This album is a difinite BUY in my opinion, especially for a Ludacris fan. It is not as good as "Word of Mouf", but it is still a great album.

Tracks:

The name alone let's you know the agenda for this CD. This is for the fellas on Saturday afternoon chillin. The only thing he left out was the dominos and we would have been straight, This CD follows the pattern of "Word of Mouf" and gives you straight dirty south tracks. Luda is not a Gangsta rapper and unfortunately the playful nature of his lyrics aren't usually taken serious. But don't get it twisted. This dude is as creative as any rapper out there. He starts the CD with "Southern Fried", his "I'mdaschiznit" song of the CD. Nice guiter riffs on this song and his trademark Twista rapid flow.. 'Blow It Out" follows the Luda pattern of intro songs with metaphoric analogies, with a crazy hook(see "Go To Sleep" from the WORD OF MOUF CD). "Stand Up" is typical Luda first single, something catchy for the clubs but never his best material. Straight for the radio. I love the hook but that's where my attention drops on this cut. Track 6 "Hard Times" features 8 Ball and MJG. Really love this cut, especially 8 Balls verse. This is the Luda, "life is or was a biotch" portion of the CD. This cut is followed up by "Diamond In The Back". Another growin up in the hood cut. Sounds like something that should have came of the Fat Albert soundtrack or something. Luda really switches his flow up here. And of course the "Be Thankful" sample is nice. "Screwed Up" w/Lil Flip is a disappointment, just not feelin the song. Once you hear the chorus though you'll know you'll hear this song for a minute in the cars bumpin next to you at the stoplight. Track 10 "P-Poppin"....Man...the ultimate strip club cut. Shawna sounds really good on this track, as probably any female would based on the subject matter. At this point I loved the choice of the next track, "Hip Hop Quotable". The soul of this song is straight East Coast, which is a cool transition from the dirty dirty cut just previously played. Track 13 "H... in my room" is the comic relief of the CD. Perfect Luda/Snoop cut. "Teamwork" is his "freaky tales" collaboration to the CD. The flute sound effects are pretty cool. "Eyebrows Down" is his autobiographical cut. Pretty cool, from infancy to the present. Nice wrap up song. If you like Luda you'll love Chicken and Beer. Symbolically and literally.

This album starts off with a bang, the reason I bought it was because I heard Track # 1, SOUTHERN FRIED INTRO, on the radio. I was anticipating the album to have that hard explosive Ludacris sound he's known for. Track# 2 BLOW IT OUT is another head banger, that kind of music that makes you want to blow your speakers! Of course Track # 3 STAND UP, makes you stand up... Which is probably the reason why it is this albums introductary single. Ludacris then delivers his signature PIMPOLOGY lyrics in Track# 5 SPLASH WATERFALLS, and after you listen to it, it makes you understand why its called what it is, "think about it!"

I'll now skip to Track# 10 P-POPPIN, and if you don't watch BET UnCUT at night.... WATCH IT! YOU'll then understand why!

Thus, this album is a must get, the rest of the album songs that I did not list above will eventually grow in on you! CHICKEN & BEER is creative, origional, and features music only Ludacris can do!

Once his second Lp, "Word of Mouf" dropped and sailed to the top of the charts, Ludacris became one of the most popular and talked about rappers of the new millenium. In 2002 he brought his group into the game with their album, "Golden Grain" which went on to sell over 500,000 copies. But now in 2003 it's time for Luda to step back in the lime light riding solo again with the release of his 3rd album, "Chick-N-Beer."

1. Southern Fried (Intro) - 4/5

2. Blow It Out - 4.5/5

3. Stand Up (Featuring Shawnna) - 4/5

4. Rob Quarters (Skit) - No Rating

5. Splash Waterfalls - 3/5

6. Hard Times (Featuring Eightball, MJG & Carl Thomas) - 4.5/5

7. Diamond in the Back - 3/5

8. Screwed Up (Featuring Lil' Flip) - 4.5/5

9. T Baggin' (Skit) - No Rating

10. P-Poppin' (Featuring Shawnna & Lil' Fate) - 4.5/5

11. Hip Hop Quotables - 4.5/5

12. Black Man's Struggle (Skit) - No Rating

13. H*** in My Room (Featuring Snoop Dogg) - 4/5

14. Teamwork - 4/5

15. Interactive (Skit) - No Rating

16. We Got (Featuring Chingy, I-20 & T*** Boi) - 4.5/5

17. Eyebrows Down (Featuring T*** Boi & Dolla Boy) - 5/5

Overall:

54/65

4 Stars

Ludacris really surprised me with this album. On some of these tracks he took a different approach in structuring them like "Splash Waterfalls", "Screwed Up" and "Diamond in the Back" and for the most part it was a bad decision. But Luda definitely brings the heat like expected when it comes to production and lyrics.