Spring Break
Nelly's new 'Brass Knuckles' lacks punch
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Focus
It's been four long years since Nelly last released an album and it shows. His rhymes are weak, his beats feel old in a been-there-done-that fashion, and his guest list is overloaded - probably in order to make up for the lack of microphone presence he possesses.
The majority of the album is the typical Nelly fodder - songs about partying, St. Louis and women. Sadly for Nelly though, his style just doesn't fit the mold of today's radio hip-hop scene. Times have changed and if you don't use Auto-Tune, then you might as well pack your bags.
Tracks range from ridiculous ("Lie" finds Nelly denying an affair like a slowed down "It Wasn't Me") to downright dumb ("Stepped On My J'z" refers to someone scuffing his new pair of Jordan's), and there's rarely a middle ground. After a few listens, some of the tracks become silly fun, but it's still not enough to salvage the album.
Nelly tries to change up his formula on "U Ain't Him" by acting tough gun-wielding, dope doing gangster, but it doesn't work, especially when he raps, "My s--- was far from legal / Wrong plates on a Buick Regal / Check under that seat, look in the glove box and the trunk, it's truly lethal."
Nelly does manage to land every A-list rapper out there making the album more of a variety show than a real solo effort. Included are Snoop Dogg, T.I., Usher, Akon and - which may come as a shock to some - Chuck D of Public Enemy.
Die-hard Nelly fans (if there is such a thing) will find enjoyment in this album - not much has changed in the Midwest rapper's swagger - but if you're itching for some party hip-hop, you might as well wait a few months for T-Pain's new album.
The majority of the album is the typical Nelly fodder - songs about partying, St. Louis and women. Sadly for Nelly though, his style just doesn't fit the mold of today's radio hip-hop scene. Times have changed and if you don't use Auto-Tune, then you might as well pack your bags.
Tracks range from ridiculous ("Lie" finds Nelly denying an affair like a slowed down "It Wasn't Me") to downright dumb ("Stepped On My J'z" refers to someone scuffing his new pair of Jordan's), and there's rarely a middle ground. After a few listens, some of the tracks become silly fun, but it's still not enough to salvage the album.
Nelly tries to change up his formula on "U Ain't Him" by acting tough gun-wielding, dope doing gangster, but it doesn't work, especially when he raps, "My s--- was far from legal / Wrong plates on a Buick Regal / Check under that seat, look in the glove box and the trunk, it's truly lethal."
Nelly does manage to land every A-list rapper out there making the album more of a variety show than a real solo effort. Included are Snoop Dogg, T.I., Usher, Akon and - which may come as a shock to some - Chuck D of Public Enemy.
Die-hard Nelly fans (if there is such a thing) will find enjoyment in this album - not much has changed in the Midwest rapper's swagger - but if you're itching for some party hip-hop, you might as well wait a few months for T-Pain's new album.
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