There are two major events that kept the College Park, GA duo
Playaz Circle out of the studio for ten years:
Dolla Boy landed himself in jail while
Tity Boi was wounded in a shooting. All the while, their good friend and advocate
Ludacris waited, promising them a place in his Disturbing tha Peace family plus an album release whenever they were ready. After their personal drama settled, guest shots on DTP releases brought some attention, but it was with their own infectious and hard single "Duffle Bag Boy" -- with special guest superstar
Lil Wayne -- that they staked their claim and got the Dirty South faithful talking. No big surprise their debut doesn't top or equal the single, but it is surprising that there's little payoff for the duo's ten years of struggle (where're the insightful lyrics?) and partnership (where's the chemistry?). Still, "Duffle Bag Boy" is brilliant, and both "Gucci Bag" and "Betta Knock," with
Ludacris, are worth repeat plays. Then there's the daring "Dear Mr. L.A. Reid," which talks to the big label boss from way down on the roster, plus "Paper Chaser" with
Little Brother's
Phonte bringing the grown man business.
Drumma Boy and his ilk provide the exciting Dirty South production, no skits or interludes keep the track list tight, but
Playaz Circle themselves lean back their whole album, low-riding as if their legend were enough. While
Supply & Demand gets a passing grade thanks to its highlights, a little more heart and hunger would have made it a lot more memorable. [
Supply & Demand was also made available in a clean version, with all explicit material removed.] ~ David Jeffries