First, let me start the review off by saying that Soulja Slim, next to C-Murder and Mac, is my favorite southern my favorite artist of all time. I love down south rap, and he is what down south rap represents. This album came out amidst 21 other CDs from No Limit in 1998. Somehow though, maybe because the sound was still fresh (this album dropped in May of 98) or because Slim’s delivery was so raw, it stood out amongst other albums from that year like Full Blooded, Skull Duggery, etc. That being said, on to the review:

 

1) From What I Was Told: 

Slim kicks off the album with a bass guitar influenced joint about his debut on No Limit. This song was also used for the ‘I Got the Hookup! Soundtrack’ released a month earlier, and was made into a video. The song’s hook is what makes it stand out with lines like ‘Niggas say Ima hit No Limit, like Pac hit Deathrow’. Truly a stand out cut.

2) Street Life feat. Master P, Silkk the Shocker: 

Another bass heavy track featuring P giving his signature ‘Uhhhhh!!!’ and Silkk’s stuttering, but standout flow runs a little too long, but Slim’s verse stands out the mostand doesn’t dissapoint. An above average song.

3) Wright Me: 

This cd is full of piano loops and bass guitar rifts, and this song is no different. The theme is Slim being locked down and his girl holding it down for him, even though he knows she’s out doing shit she aint supposed to be doing. Slim delivers three hard verses on this solo track, and doesn’t dissapoint.

4) At The Same Time feat. Snoop Dogg: 

One of the best joints on the album…period. Not because of the beat, but because of the subject matter and the flawless flow of Snoop and Slim. The hook, the verses, everything is almost perfect. Snoop and Slim trade verses on hitting No Limit at the exact same time while Snoop tries to find his flow over No Limit produced tracks and Slim gives hard hittin lines.

5) Only Real Niggas: 

Another solo track for Soulja Slim ( which is rare considering No Limit’s tendency to put at least 3 other soldiers on every song ) is an average track to me. I don’t hate it, but it’s not one of my favorites. The hook gets old after hearing it twice, and the verses are the only thing that stand out. People complain about Slim’s flow, but after hearing him on a certain amount of tracks, it becomes more of an art then a choppy flow, unlike Silkk the Shocker. Average track though.

6) Pray For Your Baby feat. Master P, Trenitty: 

P’s 2Pac influenced monotone rhymes set the stage for this song, as it goes through your average gangsta subjects and themes. P delivers lines like “Mama I love ya cause ya made me, but this ghetto got me crazy, so pray for yo baby!”. Trenitty (of Slim’s Cutthroat Committy click) has a decent verse, and Slim shines once again with his flow and ability to make his lyrics visual to the listener.

7) Head Buster feat. Big Ed, Mr. Serv-On: 

Definatley a stand out joint, with hard ass verses from Slim and Big Ed. The beat is sick, everything’s good. Then Serv-On hits the cut with the last verse, and rips it. Serv’s style had changed, and for the better. Easily one of the best songs on the album.

8) Me and My Cousin feat. Full Blooded: 

Not a bad song, the idea of the song though was even better. Slim’s real cousin – Hound ( Full Blooded ) appears on the song and they go back and forth in what a good collaboration should sound like. The only problem is Hound….he can’t rap. I never thought he could. He’s not even raw on the mic or intense. He slurs his words and sounds like a mess on almost every track he’s on. Slim though once again proves that he deserves to be respected as one of the best MC’s in the game.

9) You Got It (II) feat. Mia X: 

You Got It (II) is an underated track. And the reason it’s a part II, is because it was off one of Slim’s CD’s from Parkway Pumpin Records (originally owned by KLC). It was also featured on Down South Hustlers compilation, the first version that is. The second one is basically the same thing, with better recording quality and a slight change in the hook. It is a good track, until Mia comes on. I dont mind Mia X, but she didnt do shit for this song. She wasn’t on the original, and didn’t deserve to be on the 2nd one. Good track, but skip when Mama Mia drops her verse.

10) You Ain’t Never Seen feat. Master P: 

Despite saying it features Master P, he doesn’t rap and doesn’t even give his signature “Uhhhh!!!”. It’s strictly Soulja Slim. This song is most definatley one of the best I’ve heard from any label in a long time. The chorus is sick wit lines like “You aint neva seen what I seen, or been through what I been through that’s why I got a *****ed up mental!”. Slim delivers bomb ass verses, and this track is definatley a stand out cut. The beat, the lyrics, everything is perfect.

11) Anything feat. Mia X: 

Slim don’t even shine on this one. It’s aint worth hearin,cause the beat and the lines get very repetitive. One of the only skippable tracks on the entire album. Not recommended.

12) Imagine feat. Mac, C-Murder: 

One of my favorite tracks of all time. Definatley the best on the album, with hard street verses from Mac, Slim, and C-Murder. They all rip it, the verses, the lyrics, everything is on point. The beat is also one of the reasons to listen to this song, the piano with the bass, is pure perfection. If you like Slim, down south rap, or rap period listen to this classic.

13) Takin Hits feat. Master P: 

Another song where Master P has just a short cameo at the beginning and Slim spits his shit. This is more of a bounce track, with a bouncing bass in the background. The beat has to grow on you, but it is definatley a hard hitting track. Slim paints the picture of him being a hired hittman with his lyrics. Definatley recommended and in the top 5 joints on the album.

14) Wootay: 

Another solo track from Slim ( which is very good ), doesn’t dissapoint. To me, the album picks up around the second half of the CD, and this song is no exception. After Cash Money blew up usin words like Wootay, nobody realized Slim’s been usin that word. The beat is hot, the lyrics are on point, with Slim addressing his haterz and being Soulja hated. Good song.

15) Get High Wit Me feat. Trenitty, Mystikal: 

A tight ass track bout gettin high, and being down to ride in any situation. Slim delivers a slow, smooth, verse that outshines everybody else on the track. Trenitty’s verse is too short and not that great, and Mystikal does his usual thing. Bottom line though, another great track off an album full of great tracks, definatley recommended for the weed smokerz.

16) Law Breakaz: 

Starts off with a 30 second skit, and then really picks up. Probably my 3rd or 4th favorite song off the album. The beat is real uptempo, and so are the lyrics, almost to the point where you can’t understand what Slim’s saying. Nevertheless, the hook (“This is for the law breakaz, kidnappaz, murdererz, and burglarerz”), and all three verses are lyrical masterpieces from one of the most respected artists in the game.

17) What’s Up, What’s Happnin: 

A somewhat short song, but Slim made the most of it. My favorite song off the album, Slim delivers two hardcore verses for what he claims is his “last bounce shit”, and he doesn’t dissapoint. He gives shoutouts to every ward in New Orleans and dead rappers like Kilo G, Pimp Daddy, etc. Definatley a hot track.

18) Hustlin is a Habit feat. Steady Mobb’n: 

This song is straight, but it’s not all that great. The beat has bells incorporated with bass, that No Limit would use much during the end of 1998. Soulja Slim once again has the best verse, with bay area veterans Steady Mobb’n comin average. Average song, nothin more.

19) Gettin Real feat. Silkk the Shocker, Full Blooded, Fiend: 

Rowdy track featuring a number of No Limit soldiers including Slim’s cousin – Hound. Slim’s verse is the best behind Fiend’s who steals the track. Silkk supplies the hook, and nothin more. Good track though.

20) N.L. Party feat. Master P, Silkk the Shocker, Trenitty, Big Ed, Mac, Gambino Family, Prime Suspects, Snoop Dogg, Magic, Kane & Abel: 

This song looks like a soulja song No Limit is known for giving us. Unfortunatley itdoesn’t come down to that. From each rapper, you get about 2 bars, and is most definatley a poor filler track. The beat sounds like some Sega Genesis game, and NOBODY can save this track…weak attempt to end the album.

 

Well, despite 2 or 3 tracks that aren’t anything to listen to…this album is perfect. Production from Beats By The Pound was never better, and my favorite artist of all time delivers arguably his best shit ever.Despite appearances and being incarcerated during it’s release, Slim manages to shine all on his own, let’s it be known it’s his debut, and manages to sell over 82,000 copies it’s first week. If not for the prison time, Slim, I’m sure, would’ve gone gold, cause the album itself is nothin less then platinum. R.I.P. Soulja Slim.

Overall: 4/5

You have to get used to Soulja Slim’s style. This is his 4th album, and even by the time it was released people weren’t used to his style. Some say it’s too rushed, too complicated, etc. It took me a while for his music to grow on me, and for me to appreciate the rawness that comes with his music. And if you do listen to Soulja Slim already, you know what I’m talking about. Slim was never going to break any huge barriers in rap, or reach a level that 2Pac; or say Nas were on. He was strictly New Orleans. One of the realest and most respected south artists ever, and anybody from the south region will tell you the same. This is his last cd before being shot in front of his mother’s house in 2003. On to the review:

 

1.) Intro: 

This intro/song gets you set for the album. Over a Dani Kartell produced track, Slim spits tales that everyone’s heard before, but in a way only he can describe it. Overall, perfect way to open the album.

2.) Hustler: 

Another tight song, not too much different from the last one, this time talking about how Slim’s a hustler and how he’ll never fall off when it comes to the game.

3.) Cheeze Eataz:

Def. one of my favorite joints on the album, the beat has to grow on you. At first, it sounds like something nobody could ever write a verse to or over. The song is basically about snitches and them snitchin on anybody to the FEDz, police, etc. Slim spits three hard verses, talkin bout how he’d never snitch, and how he plans to set a rat trap for all the rats. Overall, a bomb ass track and is great to play in yo system.

4.) Yeahh: 

Yet another Daniel produced beat (he’s all over the album, which is good)Slim continues his theme of the previous 3 songs detailing his history with enemies, *****es, and money hungry snitches. He takes subliminal shots at various people; including Master P and the No Limit camp.

5.) Heata On Me feat. B.G., Lil Real One: 

Most people’s favorite song on the entire album, shows the chemistry between former No Limit Soldier – Soulja Slim and former Cash Money Millionaire – B.G.. The two planned to release a duo album together after this was released, and it’s not hard to see why. The flows, the guitar laced beat, everything works together to make a near perfect track. Recommended…and has good repeat value.

6.) Speak Yo Mind:

About a 7-8 second skit leading up to the next song. Not really worth listening to; skip it.

7.) I’ll Pay For It: 

Also released on Slim’s 3rd album ‘Years Later’, this song had New Orleans buzzin for a while. Slim flows perfect over the beat, and the song is about payin for a ***** if ya really want it and need it that bad. Overall, tight song.

8.) U Hear Dat: 

My favorite song on the album, easily, is a KLC (formerly of Beats By The Pound) produced joint, that Slim flows smooth over. The bass is a 12 gauge 1, and Slim is talking about everything from spittin 50 bars, to taking shots at Master P with lines like “I ain’t no friend of P (Master P) don’t ask me bout that boy, he aint no man you think Im lyin then ask Pastor Troy”. Great track.

9.) Souljas On My Feet:

Another KLC produced track and another song off his underground release ‘Years Later’ this song is just as good as the previous. The beat is perfect, the flows, everything is on point. Guns, Soulja Reeboks, and stompin they face in is the story on this joint.

10.) Magnolia: 

The beat took me a while to get used to, as did Slim’s flow on this track. It’s not a mess, but it definatley could’ve been better. This song was yet another off Magnolia Slim’s ‘Years Later’ cd. By now, anybody can tell that this is a revamped major record distributed version. The song is not really that great, but worth listening to only if you cant get enough of Slim.

11.) U Bootin Up feat. Juvenile: 

One of the best songs on the entire album, the song is a beef record directed at Silkk the Shocker, Krazy (504 Boyz), and No Limit. The only bad part is Juvenile’s verse (it has nothing to do with the original theme of the song), but Slim saves it at the end with lines at Silkk like “No I don’t know Karate (reference to the Hot Boys movie) lil Silkky draws, you located in Victoria’s Secret for the broads”.

12.) Lov Me Lov Me Not:

The only video shot for the album (Slim died less than two weeks after it was filmed) the song is decent. I don’t want to say it’s bad, because it’s not even close, but it did feel like it was missing something. However, the song will be remembered by some; if not many as Soulja Slim’s last song…although it appeared on the first advance of this album ‘Years Later’.

13.) Holla At Me: 

Another skit (this one being about a minute) leading up to the next song. Slim’s on the phone with his boy talkin bout gettin loaded and meetin up later.

14.) If It Ain’t Real feat. Lil Real One: 

The beat is sick, and Slim and Lil Real One rip it talkin bout that midnight potion. This song is definatley worth playing repeatedly because it has a good feel to it, and is laced with a smooth sick beat.

15.) ***** You Nigga feat. Lil Real One, Cutthroat Committy: 

This song is a posse cut with some of the Cutthroat Committy crew and it definatley doesn’t dissapoint. Lil Real One steals the whole damn song though, with his verse to open up the song. The beat, the flow, everything is on point. Overall, a solid track, but fails to really stand out.

16.) U Gon Feel Me:

This song is weak…for the most part. Aside from a few entertaining disses thrown towards No Limit Record’s Krazy…the beat is skippable and the track sounds rushed. Skip it.

17.) Hit the Highway: 

A very good song with a beat that you have to get used to ( ike a lot of other songs on this albu ), but it delivers. While some argue that this is an obvious filler track, the song to me is one of the better ones on the album. Three solid verses from Slim over a solid beat don’t dissapoint. Ever.

18.) Committy feat. Cutthroat Committy: 

The track on the album with the whole Cutthroat Committy crew on it doesn’t dissapoint to a certain extent. If you’re lookin for Slim on this track, the most your going to get is about 6 bars. His crew is all over it, as he describes them as “ammunition for yo ***** ass”. Most of them can flow, and makes you wonder why they didn’t drop an official release because they’re almost all good…with the exception of a few.

19.) Untitled Track (I’ll Pay For It – Part II) feat. Mystikal: 

Basically the same track as I’ll Pay For It, with the same beat with a cameo from Mystikal. It’s average and nothing more, I like the original better.

 

Overall, this cd is a down south classic. It’s sad in a way, that this was Slim’s last CD; but your also glad that he went out at the top of his game at least. From starting his career at No Limit, to going to jail, to finishing his career at No Limit, to going back to jail, to finally seeing the fame he deserves (even if it is after his death) on a track with Juvenile; Slim put out enough classic albums, his rawness and realness on the mic will always be remembered; and I recomended ALL of his other releases. R.I.P. Soulja Slim. 4/5