Collaborations from
Def Jam's mid- to late-2000s back catalog dominate the fourth volume of the label's 25 digital download compilations released to commemorate 25 years in the business. It's a sequel to the
Def Jam 25, Vol. 3: It Takes Two, Pt. 1, highlighted by
Ghostface Killah and
Ne-Yo's "Back Like That,"
Shareefa and
Ludacris' "I Need a Boss,"
Young Gunz and
Rell's
Luther Vandross-referencing "No Better Love," and
Nas and
Chrisette Michele's "Can't Forget About You." The biggest hit of all here is
Dru Hill's "In My Bed," an alliance with
Da Brat and
Jermaine Dupri that reached number four on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in early 1997. Overall, this is inferior to part one, but it's another thoughtful, succinct set of selections from
Def Jam's deep and wide vault. ~ Andy Kellman