When you think about it, we waited a long time for this Young Jeezy Album. But now that TM103: Hustlerz Ambition released last week, Jeezy official numbers are finally in. Taking the #1 spot in Rap/R&B and 3rd overall behind Michael Buble and Adele moving 232,938 units. A very solid first week debut for the Snowman. Common followed Jeezy entering at No. 18 on the charts, selling 69,000 units.

 

Malice and Pusha T, collectively known as The Clipse, are by far one of the game’s premiere duos. Hailing from the 757 area of Virginia, the brothers have amassed a reputation which has seen them successfully merge drugs and rap, almost effortlessly. They’ve also been victim to industry politics on more than one occasion, which is why Til The Casket Drops almost a year after their critically acclaimed mixtape, “Road To Til The Casket Drops”, surfaced in December 2008.

Industry B.S. aside, the group’s newest album is more of the same (which is a good thing). The lead single, “Kinda Like A Big Deal” featuring Kanye West, is one of those songs which has aged well and sounds just as crisp as it did the day it initially hit the internet. Pusha and Malice show no signs of slowing down and familiar faces, The Neptunes, are along for the ride.

The anthems roll right along as a favor is called in to Harlem’s own Cam’ron on “Popular Demand (Popeyes)” and the epic sounding “Doorman.” Fellow coke rhyme slinger, Yo Gotti, makes an appearance on “Showing Out” which is sure to garner a few spins as it ranks as one of the album’s standouts.The Pharrell induced summer anthem “I’m Good” still sounds brand new.

The ability to make commercially successful records has always been a strength of the two Virginians. It remains to be seen, however, if “All Eyes On Me” will surface as the next as it doesn’t have the instant attraction as some of their records from the past have harbored. Where they may have lacked in commercial single potential, they more than made up for it with the introspective “Freedom.” With the assistance of Sean C & LV, Pusha and Malice do something which isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do in real life, come to grips with the mistakes of their past as they attempt to move forward.

All in all, Til The Casket Drops is another impressive record from the brothers Thorton, even if the sales do not reflect it. Fans of the duo can rest easy and stamp their loyalty for another album. Pusha and Malice continue to cement their legacy as a premiere entity in Hip-Hop and one of the greatest from the 2000’s.

Rating: 4 out of 5

To say Young Money has had a good year might be a bit of an understatement. Usually reserved for label front man, Lil’ Wayne, the entourage saw a collective rise to prominence with the solo successes of Drake and Nicki Minaj. The group’s compilation album, We Are Young Money, had been anticipated since the lead single, “Every Girl”, leaked in January. To the group’s credit, they’ve managed to maintain momentum throughout the year headlined by the album’s release on December 23.

WAYM is an album which will give listeners a uncanny feel of a well thought out mixtape on each listen. Depending who you ask, this may be a good or bad thing. One thing is for certain, however, the entity makes no excuses for their lavish lifestyle. The intro track, “Gooder”, finds Jae Millz, Gudda and Mack Maine utilizing a formula which will be later used repeatedly throughout the CD. With Lil’ Wayne playing point guard, he allows for the attention to expand upon his fellow group members, which should have been one of the main focal points of the album. 

While “Ms. Parker” serves as an acquired taste for listeners, it is the Kane produced “Wife Beater” which serves as one of the album’s premiere records. Again, with Wayne on the hook, Jae Millz, Tyga and Mack Maine relay tales of promiscuous women and their affinity for the popular undergarment.  Chase N. Cashe delivers the goods on “Pass The Dutch” with Wayne, this time, laying a verse as well as Drake who makes his first appearance on the LP minus “Every Girl.”

“Girl I Got You” finds YM’s youngest members, Lil’ Twist and Lil’ Chuckee, playing the “young love” card and obviously attacking the teen market they obviously have a strangle hold over. “Steady Mobbin’” leaked months ago, but still found its way to the cutting room floor and for good reason. The Hip-Hop duet between arguably its two greatest suppliers (quantity of work) at the moment is one of the albums standouts with the “mixtape Weezy” with more quotables than a Twitter update would allow.

The album concludes with “Finale” as each member of the small army is allowed eight bars. Again, mixtape derived, so the success of the record depends upon who listens to it. All in all, We Are Young Money succeeds in allowing attention to be focused on the members who may not receive the acclaim a Lil Wayne, Drake or Nicki Minaj receives. The perceived “lack of content” may result as one of the LP’s biggest pitfalls, but doesn’t result in destroying the quality of the album. While it will never be confused for 36 Chambers, Soul Food or even Beg For Mercy, We Are Young Money serves as a respectable stepping stone for the group’s future endeavors in 2010.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5