The similarity between the title of this album and the title of its predecessor is telling, since Big Pimp and Mr. G' Stacka hardly change their pitch, and as a result, the duo's ties to the Southern rap blueprint drawn by
Outkast and
Eightball & MJG remain tight. Just as the title implies,
Keep It Pimp & Gangsta has little to do with a shift or progression, which actually suits them fine -- they're far from original, but they do what they do so well that it simply doesn't matter. Most priceless moment: the falsetto
Prince-style delivery of "Keep It," in which the cautionary chorus warns, "Your bitch ass about to die." [
Keep It Pimp & Gangsta was also released in a "clean" edition, containing no profanities or vulgarities.] ~ Andy Kellman