Disco de P. Diddy: “Press Play [Edited]”

I truly do despise Diddy. Sean Puff Daddy Puffy P. Diddy Diddy Combs has grated my nerves for well over a decade, since he was whispering "I like that" in the background of all B.I.G.'s hits on Ready to Die, and making an appearance in every Bad Boy video. His swagger is corny, his delivery is wack, and his income in a day is more than most men will make in a lifetime. Diddy's got a lot of haters, and he's warranted all the criticism he's received. But this album, simply put, is fun.

Diddy literally bought a hot album for himself. He rounded up an entourage full of a-list producers and writers, and virtually had everyone make this album for him. The only thing he does on this album is rhyme; and let's not get it twisted, his delivery is still as mush-mouthed, and unpolished as it's ever been. However, the rhymes, written by everyone from Monch to Tip, are still hot, the all-star cast of guests deliver, and the production is handled magnificiently. If anyone but Diddy was delivering these rhymes, it's hard to say that this wouldn't be an album of the year contendor; it's got all the elements of a perfectly formulated album, with the exception of Diddy himself.

Unlike virtually everyone else, I didn't come into this album looking for Diddy. I didn't acquire this album because I wanted to bash Puffy, or because I saw the "Come to Me" video on MTV, and felt inspired to rush to the record store, and pick it up. I purchased this album because emcees like Big Boi, Nas, T.I., and Pharoahe Monch contributed to it, and producers like Kanye and Havoc provided beats. This is more of a compilation than it is a solo release; Diddy maybe all over the release, but he's spitting other's writtens. He also isn't 'producing' any of the beats on this album, so you don't get any ganked "Kashmir" riffs, or Grandmaster Flash-backs. You get an entirely original hip-hop release, that is remarkably fresh coming from someone like Diddy.

The only thing Diddy deserves credit for on this release is shelling out the cash for it. Otherwise, nothing on this album portrays Diddy as an artist; something he most definitely isn't. It may not be cool to support Diddy, but this album is definitely worth checking out. Just don't go into expecting anything other than tight rhymes over dope production, unfortunately performed by a man with a disgustingly bad flow; because then, and only then, will you be dissapointed.

I admit had Diddy released this album with just himself rapping or musing I would never have purchased it(even with the top producers crafting the beats) yet the guest star talent is what reels you in. And like a true business man Diddy knows how to get you in his domain then the album takes over. Its fresh, lyrically and musically diverse so the album feels so much bigger than the 15 or 16 full tracks on it. From the Ciara Big boi collab, to the Nas, to the Christina Aguilera to Keyshia Cole theres so much to enjoy. I'm not saying the album is classic but I feel that it is the best hip pop cd to come out this year. I think fans of this genre won't be disappointed

There is not much you can say about Diddy. When he isnt killing the memory of Biggie with bad posthumous albums, he's killing hip hop with his own bad albums. How did he get a pass you say? Simple. He was rolling with Biggie who New York was feeling at that time. Im not going to spend time talking about how stupid that is to like somebody because you love the person he's rolling with. Instead Diddy will prove how wack he is for me. Examples:/I can feel your heart beating/I can hear you breathing/ look into your eyes/trying to see into your mind/ see into your soul/(creepy as it is confusing)/ No doubt with the stallion/ somethin italian/ or maybe Puerto Rican you can catch me in Paris/(YAWN)/Im in it to win it but willin to carry the game/ if you think Im not just look at the carats/(SNORE)/I run through sets/ come through sets/ chick hypnotized by my 1,2 steps/Im way to fresh/ so complex/n***** try to predict what Im gonna do next(that remains to be seen)/ Let me get an order/ got somethin for ya/ you ever seen a black man walk on water/(but wait it gets worse!)/ here we go again makin that beat go bump bump bump bump/ Still spending money aint nothin changed man/ spend a couple mill just to make my change rang/(HUH?)/ When it comes to my foes they disturb me/but its love like tennis/(what the???). You get the drift. Puffy should not be within a thousand mile radius of a microphone. I heard the talk that Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch were writting Puffy's rhymes on this album and if that's true then they need to step their ghostwriting game up because I heard nothing that stood out about his rhymes. Add that to the fact that Puffy has the personality of a ladybug and his delivery is about as exciting as watching the spin cycle at a laundromat. Come To Me featuring Nicole Scherzinger is overrated and drab and Diddy Rock featuring Twista and Shawnna is the corniest thing I've ever heard and what kind of a hook is that? /Come here girl/ let me creep in your world/let me see the backside of your moon/no vickies only laperl/Let me take you to Indonesia/where nobody can reach us/ Im your burger/ your my fries. Plus that is the worst beat that Timbaland has made since Nas's You Owe Me. Tell Me wastes Christina Aguilera's talent and our time and if I hear another person bumpin Last Night featuring Keyshia Cole,Im gonna SCREAM!!! How can I diss Last Night, let me count the ways. 1. the beat sounds offbeat 2. the horrific singing by Keyshia Cole 3.the track sounds like bad 80s music 4.Puffy sounds like he's doing his worst Lenny Kravitz impression in the background. Bottom Line: Doody's Press Play is easily one of the worst albums of 2006. The production(for certain songs) is a little bit better than his the beats of his previous albums but Puffy sucks! And why is it that most of the guest appearances on a Puffy album are just as bad as Puff? Puffy has dropped three garbage albums and he is only going to get worst. My suggestion is that you pay his ugly a$$ no mind and keep it moving. By the way if your going to talk about who is killing hip hop and you dont mention Puffy, then you shouldnt even entertain the subject at all!

the Production on here ain't bad,but when Puffy's attempt at rapping&also singing,then the results aren't gonna be good. Puffy is a better talent scout&also at putting folks together,but as a Artist he leaves alot to be desired. this album is only half way worth listening because of some of the guests,but then again there is nothing here that is memorable. Puffy should have stopped a long time ago trying to make records.it's one thing behind the scenes or in the background,but on the mic dude is still wack.

Maybe I'm giving my age away but the CD reminds me of some of the artist in the 80's....even the CD cover resembles something from the 80's as well. The CD is ok but not great. To keep it real some of the tracks have potential to be heard over the radio air waves. The CD has to grow on you as someone else put in an earlier review.