Juvenile - Reality Check

Album Review by: John Burnett
Thursday, March 16, 2006

New Orleans, a whole city submerged by the floods of Katrina, yet Juvenile triumphantly emerges with his new album, Reality Check. After his fluctuating label situation, continued conflicts with Cash Money, and after losing it all from the destruction of the unforgiving Katrina, Juve utilizes his latest album to do exactly what the album is named; give a reality check.

Being one of the first New Orleans rap artists with a major release after the calamity, Juve becomes the voice of New Orleans. On “Get Ya Hustle On,” the booming, bass-laden premier track, Juvenile does what most rappers fail to do in their music; use their platform to address some real issues. Juve states, “Your mayor ain’t your friend/He’s an enemy/Just to get your vote/A saint is what he’ll pretend to be/Fuck em” and “everybody need a check from FEMA…I’m tryna live I lost it all in Katrina.” This track keeps that Down South/New Orleans bounce, so you can still ride to it but hear some real shit. “Break A Brick Down” captures the New Orleans state of mind right now; that get it by any means necessary mentality. Although this track is about pitching, selling and moving drugs just to make it, it’s nothing groundbreaking.

Mannie Fresh and Juvenile reunite on the jungle-inspired “Animal.” Truth be told, I expected a bit more from the collaboration. Between the arbitrary animal sounds, weak subject content, and average lyrics, I assure you, you can skip over this one. “I Know You Know” has Juvenile teaming up with “R&B thug,” Trey Songz. This alluring, suave and laid back joint speaks to Juvenile appreciating his queen; being faithful, and providing for his family, which is rarely explored territory in a rap game where it’s looked at as weak to be monogamous. Trey Songz vocals are a nice touch to the ode. Don’t think Juve won’t take you to the strip club though. On “Loose Booty” and “Rodeo” Juve gives the strip club DJ something to throw on for the strippers to shake something to. Juvenile hints at his beef all throughout the album taking sneak shots at the Birdman and company, but fully addresses the situation it on “Say It To Me Now.” This provides answers some of the unrequited questions about their conflicts and serves as a proper conclusion.

Mad artists stop through to show love on Reality Check including Bun B Ludacris, Fat Joe, Trey Songz, Brian McKnight, Eightball, Mike Jones, Paul Wall and UTP cohorts Wacko and Skip. Juve also has some big help on the production with some tracks from Cool and Dre, Scott Storch and Mannie Fresh. The sound of this album is that classic Juve sound. That’s the album’s strength and downfall. Juvenile gives you that original Hot Boy sound, but at the same time, it’s that original Hot Boy sound from years ago. Overall this is a decent album; nothing to break your neck to get, but surely worth the listen.






(0) Comments | Post a comment »

POST A COMMENT : Name: Validation code: Enter validation code: [ pointless comments will be deleted ]