J-Bo – ATL’s Finest (4-8-2008)

Posted on Apr 30 in Reviewsby adminPrint

Over the course of the past few years current economics have not treated the rap industry with much respect at all. Sharply declining CD sales have forced many rappers who once had thriving careers to explore the low key independent route. In 2003 Sean Paul and J-Bo who make up the duo The Youngbloodz were riding high off the success of their Lil Jon produced summer single “Damn.” Two albums and five years later finds the group an unfortunate victim of the ongoing hip hop politics. Due to these dealings each member has come to release his own underground / independent solo offering. Sean Paul started the trend with last year’s Hood Anthems and now J-Bo follows suit with his first outing ATL’s Finest.

If you’ve been following some of the south’s most recognized names this year then you should be familiar with Real Talk Entertainment. Having already laid solid foundations for artist such as Pastor Troy, Lil Flip, and 8Ball to release their indie albums the new imprint extends its services to J-Bo. Producer Vince V implements an almost perfect ATL feel on the dirt to success story “Look At Me Now.” If you know J-Bo from his previous work then it should be no surprise that he adores alcohol, pussy, clubs, and the hotel after the club. On the Cosmo produced “A-Town” J-Bo shows no remorse as he claims his vices with much pride. Cosmo doubles back on “Make Me Rich” where although the track suffers from a garbage hook it still ends up being the album’s highlight as J-Bo instructs hustlers to go hard on a hoe, stack chips, and get head. In a colossal surprise J-Bo actually gets a head nod for his valid attempt at sappy love song making. “Back To You” turns out to be an appreciated late night special. The album’s good servings end with “My Life” where J-Bo enlists Cosmo for some more board work as he spits some of his most fluid bars about making big moves in your life.

The album’s supposed lead single “I’m A Problem” suffers from a tired and tried format and not to mention the fact that J-Bo kicks his weakest lyrics throughout the entire collection on this one. “Pull It Off The Lot” isn’t necessarily a bad joint; it’s just very far from a good one. Of course the title should give you some sort of insight on where this one goes. J-Bo goes on to play the role of captain save-a-hoe on “After The Show” which turns out to be too much sappy love company on the album. Lil Scrappy makes the album’s only feature as he and J-Bo rework the supposed lead single to about a ten percent increase in quality on “I’m Still A Problem.”

ATL’s Finest has its fair share of bright spots, but just because it glitters it doesn’t mean its gold. J-Bo’s solo debut falls somewhere right below the decent mark and totally whack. A little more substance, maybe two or three more guest spots, and some stronger production could’ve made all the difference in the world for ATL’s Finest. The Youngbloodz probably won’t go down in history amongst some of the other great southern duos but in the end at least they can say they both tried.

VERDCT – 11 / 20
LYRICS: 3
PRODUCTION: 3
DELIVERY: 3
CONSISTENCY: 2