Deeeeeeejayyyyyy Khaled ! It’s become almost mandatory that every track begins with the DJ’s shout outs for recognisable purposes. I find myself asking what part Khaled plays on the album as he doesnt produce or barely asist in the production, he simply picks the artists as far as I can tell. So it becomes a bold claim by Miami based -DJ Khaled, to say ‘We The Best’ which has put him in the firing line of the media recently. But for every hater, there’s a love of the range of heavyweight talent on the album. Here’s a track by track breakdown…
Khaled’s sets the bar high with a killer hit in the form of an all-star cast of Drizzy, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne the bar is set high from the start. Drizzy raps: “All I care about is money and the city that I’m from, I’ma sip until I feel it, I’ma smoke it till it’s done”
“Welcome To My Hood”
Possibly the earliest track on the album comes another joint with Rozay and Weezy as well as T-Pain and Plies and horrifically however, Khaled himself steps into the booth on the remix – but fortunately his bars dont live up to the I’m On One standard. A theme of arrogance, hood style thuggery and wealth cloud the album.
“Money”
Same story for track 3, “keeping it hood” divebombs leaving the hood favourites looking like a bunch of wannabe’s. The “Crunk” genre has definitely faded of late and trying to revive the phoenix from the ashes is unsuccessful by the likes of Ludacris and Young Jeezy.
“I’m Thuggin”
I can’t really give an honest review of this track as I changed it after precisely 29 seconds but what I did hear was tragic. Featuring Ace Hood and Waka Flocka Flame.
enough listens!
“Can’t Stop”
Featuring Birdman and T-Pain, you’d expect a lot of autotune and no real lyrical content. Weak.
“A Million Lights”
The YMCM youngsters (Tyga, Corey Guns, Mack Maine, Jae Millz and Kevin Rudolph) take on an urban disco-like vibe on ‘A Million Lights‘. A “hip-pop” track that doesnt particular shine out or disappoint by this point in the album.
“It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over”
However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel and her name is Mary J Blige. MJ adds some R&B class to the album with a rework of Biggie Smalls‘ ‘B.I.G’, featuring Fabulous and Jadakiss (who evidently sound identical).
“Sleep When I’m Gone Money”
The main man Busta Rhymes goes IN on the verse and steals the plaudits on ‘Sleep When I’m Gone Money,’ which also enrolls the wails of Cee Lo Green and the gravelly tones of Game. Not the addictive result that would be expected with the cobination of the trio of those artists but since when have gangsta and jazz ever matched?
“My Life“
Akon and B.O.B change the mood on ’My Life’ with the summery autotuned insta-hit. They make a suprisingly great combination with the “ayo-ayo-ayo” gives a great island vibe to the track. A must-listen!
“Legendary”
We’ve already had one R&B legend on the track but this time we get three! Keisha Cole, Ne-Yo and Chris Brown! Breezy and Keyshia blend their soulful harmonies, while Ne-Yo holds down a solo verse on the anthemic tune. “Don’t let nobody stop the dreams, keep winning,” encourages Khaled.
Released: July 15, 2011
Label: Cash Money Records
Buy: iTunes UK / Amazon UK /
Rating ???
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