Young Dro Album: “Best Thang Smokin' [Edited]”

T.I. foresaw his future. He knew he would ascend to kingship in the South. When he achieved a comfortable status in Southern hierarchy, he knew he would have the ability and influence to put his brethren on, his fellow Grand Hustle members. The time has come and his protégé Young Dro now has to stand on his own two and will attempt to do so with his debut album, 'Best Thang Smokin'.

Young Dro's built his buzz off one song, his lead-off track. Young Dro's lead-off single "Shoulder Lean" combines bass infused Southern bounce with witty one-liners. Dro displays some lyrical prowess riding the beat correctly and stating memorable quotables like "I take breath/the opposite of Primatene Mist." With aid from T.I. on the chorus, "Shoulder Lean" has club banger written all over it and its success on mainstream video shows co-signs that fact.

Dro uses "They Don't Really Know Bout Dro" to introduce himself on the album. Providing more than his share of references to candy-coated paint, big rims, expensive cars--you know the usual rapper references-- but Dro sells him self short by showing signs of cleverness but keeping it monotonous with shallow subject content. On the flipside, the production quakes your speakers with bass, percussion and brass. Speaking of production, Jazze Pha steps in to assist with "U Don't See Me" which also features Slim Thug. Dro does a fine service to the beat picking a good pocket to fit in on the track and a few lines like "I walk out the airport and only bad hoes pursuing me/I pimp fluently they chase me like a truancy..." while Slim Thug's towering presence contributes to making this a successful effort.

The songs that give depth to Young Dro are few and far between but include "We Lied" and "Hear Me Cry." "We Lied" tells the tales of a man in a disgruntled relationship that was created through dishonesty by both partners. The track puts aside that gangsta bravado briefly to deal with love while the track "Hear Me Cry" tells of close ones lost and Dro's experiences with his hard life. These songs help provide versatility to an album that is full of subject content that lacks depth: cars, drugs and gun talk.

The 'Best Thang Smokin' is a good introductory album. Young Dro has a lot of raw potential but just needs to expand more pertaining to subject content. The album is well-produced, provides a number of moods to it but keeps the Southern feel consistently throughout--with more than a couple tracks from Jazze Pha. Lyrically, Dro shows sharpness at times but once again is stifled by his limited subject matter. This is a good listen in your car, in the club, through some booming speakers, but if you're looking for something that'll make you think this won't hit it for you.

I bought this after hearing him last year at Fsu. He is great and has that southern feel that we Florida crackers luv so much.

This cd is hot I listen to this more than TI. Young Dro gone be here for a minute because he is on fire. This cd is full of bangers if you a true down south fan this cd is for you!!!

love the purchase. good purchase that i feel was very beneficial to me. the purchse came as said it would.

This is a fly southern-rap album but is also very lacking in true skill expression. Every song on the album hits, and hits hard. Most tracks have good production overall but are just tracks... no real points or content.

If you can find it, I HIGHLY suggest Dro's Mixtape "I Still Got That Dro" with DJ Burn One over this album any day. That was where Dro truly showcased his content and skills.