CORPORATE LINE: Now, with years of experience under his belt, Juvenile returns with Reality Check, his seventh solo album and Atlantic debut. “This is my best album,” says Juvenile. “I’m doing things I never would have done before. I’m making beats, engineering, storytelling. I’m not just rapping; I’m doing everything.”
With Mannie Fresh handling some of the production, the album has that classic Juvenile sound, and then there’s the likes of Scott Storch and Cool & Dre in the mix. “I tried to follow The Chronic’s formula,” Juvenile explains. “I like the way Dre put everybody together, as a producer. That’s what I’m trying to do. I got Skip and Wacko all over this album. This album isn’t just based on me; it’s also based on everybody around me.”
Featuring guest artists Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Trey Songz, Eightball, Bun B, Brian McKnight, Ludacris and others, Reality Check is Juvenile’s most well-rounded album to date. “I’m in the club like crazy on this one. All of the songs can be singles, no fillers.” At this writing, the album’s first single, “Rodeo,” has become an urban radio and video smash, offering proof positive that Juvenile not only has a grip on reality, but a grip on his continuing artistic growth.
THE GOOD:
“Get Ya Hustle On” – Juvenile takes on the government and their handling of Hurricane Katrina in his native New Orleans. Even while pushing the political Juvenile still brings it hot.
“Rodeo” – Juvenile has all the skills in the world and proves that there isn’t a beat or a style that he can’t turn out. Even when taking it slow he makes magic.
THE AVERAGE:
“Around The Way” – A tight beat and Juvenile’s signature growl still sounds better than nearly every other M.C. out there.
“Addicted” f/Brian Mc Knight – It’s odd listening to Brian MicKnight sing “you’re addicted to what the dick did.”
“Holla Back” – Juve repeats nonsensical words just to concoct a hook that rhymes without much merit.
THE BAD:
Nothing.
FRANKLY: Reality Check has nineteen tracks and at least a half dozen of those are filler. There is a lot on Reality Check that isn’t worth mentioning—more worth forgetting than remembering.
+ CC Morris
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