Disco de Nelly: “Brass Knuckles [PA]”

After the great SUIT, Nelly was truly on top of his game. As poppish as that album was, it was strong. Who would've thought that Nelly would ever fall out of the limelight or that his pop-rap excursions would fall flat. Both of those terrible things happen on BRASS KNUCKLES. After a 4 year hiatus, you would expect that Nelly would be ready to comeback with a star-studded 4-star affair, much like SUIT was 4 years ago (Sweatsuit was issued in 2005 combining SUIT/SWEAT). BRASS KNUCKLES, much like Jay-Z's KINGDOM COME comeback falls short. The difference between those two is that KINGDOM COME was at least enjoyable. BRASS KNUCKLES just plain feels second-rate. Even the standout tracks aren't nearly as potent as Nelly's past triumphs - "Body On Me" featuring Akon and Ashanti feels stale, even though it is on of BRASS KNUCKLES standout's. "Party People" is fun enough, but its overall stupidity catches up quickly. I mean, Fergie rapping was so 2006. Evidently, Nelly rapping was so 2004, since he sounds so uninspired on BRASS KNUCKLES.

The album opens mediocrely with "U Ain't Him" featuring the ubiquitous Rick Ross. It's nothing to write home about for sure. The T.I./LL Cool J featuring "Hold Up" is at least fun, and the beat is sick, but still, it doesn't truly captivate the listener. "La" features an uninspiring Snoop Dogg, which does nothing for the momentum of the album. Usher shines on "Long Night", unfortunately, the track is forgettable. "Lie" featuring the St. Lunatics is average as well and ultimately forgettable. "Party People" featuring Fergie has only so much sustaining power before a couple of listens makes it sound as uninspired as everything else. "Self-Esteem" featuring Chuck D is a clear-cut miss and perhaps one of the corniest Nelly tracks - EVER. "Body On Me", a rather underrated single restores some momentum, and a couple of great proceeding tracks via "Stepped on My J'z" (featuring JD & Ciara) and "Let It Go Lil' Mama" (featuring Pharrell) finally bring some muscularity to a rather tepid album. From there, BRASS KNUCKLES falls on its arse with a couple of forgettable uninspired numbers ("One and Only", "Chill", "Who F***s Wit Me", and "Ucud Gedit").

It's unfortunate for Nelly BRASS KNUCKLES turned out so tepid. I don't recommend this album, particularly with many better hip-hop albums (Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, The Game...) 2 stars is generous.

These days rappers simply cannot afford to take a long hiatus from dropping albums but Nelly thought he could get away with it. It's been four years since SweatSuit, which going by the type of rapper Nelly is, was actually pretty good. Skip to 2008. Nelly has returned with Brass Knuckles. But rather than producing a knockout album this album is very well uh..pedestrian. Nelly has not improved at all over 4 years and it definitely shows. His first couple singles failed to do anything on the charts or create a buzz because they simply weren't good. Party People is horrible. Ciara completely saves the lifeless Stepped On My J'z and Akon does the same thing on Body On Me. As a matter of fact the guests completely outshine Nelly on every song (except for the St. Lunatics of course). T.I. comes through and completely wrecks shop on Hold Up and even LL Cool J drops a good verse (better than anything on his own horrible album Exit 13).

I was excited to see Gucci Mane and R. Kelly featured on this album on UCud GET It but Nelly completely stinks up the place and Gucci only does the chorus! What a disappointment. Long Night with Usher is a good song though.

Nelly simply failed with this album. It's almost as if he lost all his personality. What happened to songs like Pimp Juice or Hot In Herre? I know he wasn't a lyrical genius or anything but he was at least engaging when he rapped. Not so anymore...he's fell off. The album has a lazy undertone like he's not even trying. It's frustrating. It is better than LL Cool J's album though. But ya know maybe Nelly will get his act together for one last hurrah because another album like this and it is over and done for him as far as rapping is concerned.

Nelly drops his latest release and just like the other albums it is wack. Really elementary lyrics and some decent club beats is what Nelly has been known for. Yeah some of the beats are tight on this album but I don't give Nelly credit for it because that just means he had the money to pay for them. The lyrics that he lays on top of the beat are really really weak commercial fluff. On this album I didn't like the guest appearances especially chuck d's. The song they are on due to two totally different styles sounded terrible. Almost like mixing vodka and milk it just doesn't mix well. I had to laugh about the STEPPING ON MY J'Z song. On one of his past songs he was bragging about how many pairs he had, on this one he is mad if you step on them. LOL. Lately I have been giving Nelly a little credit because he has been trying to do songs with Old school greats like KRS, LL, and Chuck D. But these attempts are not making him better lyrically. To get to the point about Brass knuckles is another commercial, wack coaster for your coffee table. I felt like I ate a soggy peanut butter and jelly sandwich after I listened to it. Save your money.

In 2008, Nelly released "Brass Knuckles." Although it was a decent album, it didn't match previous efforts. I hate to admit it, because I like Nelly, but he peaked in 2004 with the release of his albums "Sweat" and "Suit." In the four years he worked on this album, people lost interest in him and I think the delay of this album ultimately hurt him.

Like previous Nelly albums, this one is mostly a party record. Songs you can enjoy and groove to. Production and guest appearances are solid, coming from a slew of producers and guest features. Standout tracks include "Long Night" featuring Usher, "Hold Up" feat. T.I. and LL Cool J, "Body On Me" feat. Ashanti & Akon," and "Let It Go Lil' Mama" featuring Pharrell.

Some of the collaborations are expected, like the Neptunes, Ashanti and T.I. Some are not, like LL Cool J and Nate Dogg.

While there are plenty of good tracks, this album has quite a few sub par ones as well. "L.A." featuring Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg seems forced and a song more fitting The Game than Nelly. "Party People" featuring Fergie is the weakest single in Nelly's history, and "One and Only" is just plain boring.

I give Nelly credit for making some songs that are entertaining and enjoyable, but this album gets knocked for some really out of place songs, as mentioned.

If you like Nelly, you'll like this album. However, you won't keep it spinning in your cd player for too long, and you definitely won't consider it his best work. This might be the beginning of the end of Nelly as a top artist...

I love Nelly, or I used to love Nelly, but hate him for having me waist my money on this terrible album. Hot cover, but that's about it!!!