Spending five years on the shelf collecting dust, gruff and mush-mouthed rapper
Black Rob returned with
The Black Rob Report, a satisfying album even without a "Whoa." The sparse banger "Ready" is nearly as infectious as
Black Rob's breakout hit, but like most of the album, it's more gutter than glitz, pleasingly more
Black Rob than Bad Boy. Kudos to executive producer Sean "Diddy" Combs for giving the rapper the right kind of respect and support by enlisting complimentary producers (Mr. Porter,
Scram Jones, and
Buckwild) and saving the pop music samples for his glitzier artists. Smart move since
Black Rob brings the label plenty of street cred, something that's been missing for -- wouldn't you know it -- the last five years. Even more genuine is that the album doesn't care about the five years that have past and Bad Boy drama, save for the tight sample of
Biggie used in "Y'all Know Who Killed Him." "Star in da Hood" rolls along convincingly, "Watch Your Movements" is another successful
Akon guest appearance, and "Warrior" is the best
G-Unit track they haven't recorded. A little too long and slowed down by skits and interludes that are forgettable,
The Black Rob Report still comes out on top courtesy of its freewheeling attitude, sharp beats, and charismatic rapper. [
The Black Rob Report was also made available in a clean version, with all explicit material removed.] ~ David Jeffries