All Hype (2.5 Stars)
Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 03/08/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Never underestimate the power of good hype. Good hype got Lil' Kim a 5 mic rating in The Source and good hype has people thinking Jeezy is more than a below average rapper. Don't believe the hype though, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 is simply a display of good production. The beats are the only thing that keeps this from being a certified drink coaster. I think the record execs out there know that no one listens to words anymore, otherwise the good people at Def Jam would've never let this record see the light of day. Even Jeezy would agree with me....just listen to "Gangsta Music" to hear what I'm talkin' about. Even on "Get Ya Mind Right" he says "I ain't gotta rap, I'ma do numbers..." Truer words have never been spoken. Honestly, if you look past the singles, a good 98% of this album is filler. The lyrics are elementary and his flow doesn't exist. So someone tell me, what's all the hype about? By the way, I'm not one of these people that hates southern or mainstream rap either.I really wanted to like this album, it just didn't happen. Hell, half the time he doesn't even rhyme on beat.
There are probably 3 or 4 songs on the album that are good (and when I say good, I mean the beat is bangin'.....there are no memorable lyrics on this album). Actually, the singles are the highlights of the album. "Go Crazy" is cool, but the remix with Jay Z is better. "Soul Survivor" features Akon and will definitely move some butts in the club. "And Then What" feat. Mannie Fresh is cool, but loses replay value after about a week. Also, "Trap Star" is another good song if you can get past the terrible hook. Once you get past the singles, all you have left is some gangster posturing (notice how I didn't call it rapping) over good/decent production. If you're looking for dope verses, look elsewhere. The best lines on the entire album come from Young Buck (and he only has one verse) on "Last Of A Dying Breed" despite its boring beat and mailed in verses from Jeezy and Trick Daddy.
I can't blame Jeezy for cashing in on good hype. It's the American way, after all. The fact is that the beats carry this album because the guy rapping sounds like he just got into rap a week ago. This album will easily go platinum, but that's the power of good hype. The people who actually respect rap music probably won't come within 10 feet of this album anyway. When it comes down to it, I can't recommend this album to anyone.
Standout Tracks: Go Crazy, Trap Star, And then What feat. Mannie Fresh, My Hood, Soul Survivor feat. Akon"