Search - Shawnna :: Worth the Weight

Worth the Weight by Shawnna

Anthony Humphrey | Manhattan | 10/07/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Every time a male rapper makes it big with his debut, usually the follow-up to his debut is a record by a group of his friends from the streets that he is going to put on. The group always has the same formula; superstar rapper, his right hand man, the token female rapper & the one that never really gets any recognition, though that doesn't mean he doesn't have talent. Like Lil Kim (Junior Mafia), Foxy Brown (The Firm), Charli Baltimore (The Commision), Eve (Ruff Ryders) & Remy Martin (Terror Squad) before her, Shawnna comes as Ludacris' protegee from the Disturbing the Peace Clique. What takes the weight off the shoulders of a female rapper going solo for the first time is the fact that she was pre-exposed on her group's record. Let's face it, female rappers that come out on their own without this pre exposure never make it.



Shawnna's debut album, Worth tha Weight, is a decent attempt at the hip hop industry. The first single "Shake that Sh*t" with Ludacris was one of my favorite rap tracks from this year. And Shawnna, who may be to cocky for her own good, actually does have the skills to go solo. "Let's Go", "U Crazy" & "Weight a Minute" show that she does have a nice flow & rhymes; however she is very repetitve. She repeats topics & lyrics throughout the record more than most hip hop artists; and maybe because at 18 tracks she was trying to prove to much. Had the record been shortened the outcome might have been different.



Also it's too early for Shawnna to be trying to take spots. She calls Foxy Brown out on "Let's Go", claiming that even when Fox & her where on the same lable she was the only real chick, and that Def Jam knew it. This is a stupid move on Shawnna's part, because even though Brown is merely 24 years old, she is a seasoned veteran and she is extremely skilled on the mic and to say that she would eat Shawnna alive is an understatement. Other mistakes Shawnna makes on the record is flooding it with interludes; 5 total, and rereleasing previously recorded songs; such as "Dude" (Remix) with Beenie Man, "Posted" (Remix) with N.O.R.E., "Block Reincarnated (Remix)" with Kardinal Offishall & "R.P.M." with Ludacris & Twista, which while are hot tracks they have no business being on her album.



She also slips up on the "ballad-rap" tracks. Not many females can pull this off so she isn't alone but "So Real So Right" maybe one of the worst attempts at it. Overall the record really isn't too too bad and she does show promise, but I don't think that this album was her best material that she could have come with. By no means is this a bad album; but I was expecting better and I know that coming from Shawnna I can get it. The two star rating maybe a little harsh; buy at your own risk."

To Shawnna: Screw The Haters!!

Shawnna's Number 1 Male Fan | Id | 10/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know why people say this isn't a good album... true there was some already released songs but SO WHAT!? I like all the songs on this CD except for "Posted" Remix with N.O.R.E.... That song bugged the hell out of me.



My standout Tracks are:



1. Intro: My Chicago Pt.1(5/5): This intro is very good. No bullsh*t crap: example: sex, clothes, money.



2. Let's Go (5/5): This song is so HOT! Shawnna proves to not be a sl*t or a wh*re in this song.. This is a party song. One of my favorites.



3. R.P.M. (10/5): Although this song was previously released, it is still a kick a$$ song! Although Shawnna was rapping the way Twista does, she still comes sick with it!! I usually fast-forward Twista's verse cuz both of Shawnna's verses were just amazing and in my opinion she outshines him in this song!



5. Shake Dat Sh*t: (5/5) Many heard this song.. and many have diff opinions about it. I think it is a tight song backed up with a tight beat. Ludacris contributes to the song with the chorus but Shawnna just tears it up! She is one of the only true stars in DTP!



other standouts are:



U Crazy



Weight a Minute



My Chicago Pt.2



What Can I Do



So Real So Right



Kick This One (Shawnna freestyles in a sense in this song and it is unbelievably TIGHT!!!!!!!)



Superfreak - Another Hot song... This song is mainly the only song that she talks about sex in but she doesnt use words like Lil'Kim and Trina would use.



Turn It Up



Block Reincarnated - This song is pretty nice but Kardinal Offishal ruined it.



Cami's Solo- Many don't like it but I recommend people to listen to it... take 50 seconds and if you dont like it then dont listen to it... its that simple.



Dude(bonus track)- This is a very good song. Although I think that it shouldn't have been on this CD since Shawnna just spits one verse in the whole song.



Overall this CD is definately Worth the Weight. I wouldn't buy it for $18.00 but if it is any lower then for sure I would buy it.. I dont think it is up to $18.00 status yet.



anyway Shawnna is a great femcee, others who think differently... then I don't know what too say cuz I truly think Shawnna can dethrone Lil'Kim and proclaim herself the NEW QUEEN BEE!



and people who think this would be a sex-crazed album then think again. This album is not at all sexual like Lil'Kim, Foxy, Trina or Khia."

Her ryhmes are fast! and she's worth tha weight

Shawnna's Number 1 Male Fan | 10/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"when i got this album i really liked shake dats sh*t the best

but then it grew to more songs, the best songs here aare rpm were she raps faster than twista, lets go, what can i do ft. missy elliot, u crazy ft. jermaine dupri, turn it up and my chicago.



So if you want cool, fast rap buy this

if you want hardcore slow rap get lil kim



Overall- 83/100"