Fifteen years, eight albums, numerous number one singles, three Grammys, eleven films. There are rappers that are hoping and wishing they'll have a resume like this in fifteen years. It's easy to see that Ludacris is one of the most successful rappers of the entire 2000's decade. He instantly pulled fans in with his voice, his witty and humorous lyrical word play, likable personality and his catchy hits. He had everybody "throwing bows", "moving bitches" out the way, made you "stand up" while telling you to "get back". All while putting together one of the best discographies in hip hop today. Today in 2015, he's a successful actor, an entrepreneur, record label CEO and of course a father. He and his music has gotten a bit more mature in recent years. His 2006 Grammy winning album Release Therapy was proof of that. It continues here with this. His eighth album Ludaversal. Now it's been five years since Luda's last album release (he's been too busy in Hollywood). So I assumed that he may be a little rusty since it's been while. Not to mention that last album, 2010's Battle Of The Sexes, was kinda forgettable. Not that it was that wack but it's easily his worst album to date. So with all of that, I honestly didn't know what to expect going into this album. But I thought the album was alright for what it is. Definitely better than the last if anything. It's nothing but typical Ludacris. A short album with hos same witty lyrics, bass thumping production and wide range of subject matter. There are however moments on this album where that maturity I talked about shows. On all of the personal songs towards the end. Topics from family lost, the goods and bad of fame, his future and so on. It's pretty much a straight to the point album. Like most of his albums are. Now let's begin the break down:
1. Ludaversal (intro)
So the album begins in typical Ludacris fashion. Rapid fire lyrics over dope production courtesy of David Banner. The beat is filled with plenty of snares and trap-style drums. I always said Ludacris has a knack for making good intros that set the tone for the album. Nothings different here.
2. Grass Is Always Greener
It's an old saying we've heard time and time again. "The grass is always greener on the other side". When you see something that you want or something that you want to do that's better than what you have now. So you get it, only to find out that it wasn't as great as you had previously imagined. Now you wish things were like how they used to be. That's what Luda is talking about here. Taking that and applying it to certain situations and/or decisions he's made in his career. Especially as of late. Producers Da Internz put together a very simplistic yet catchy beat. The bass line drops during the verses then picks back up on the hooks. Cool song overall.
3. Call Ya Bluff
Here's your first taste of some serious "bump in the whip" music. Syk Sense creates a dope beat here. A hard, aggressive bass line with a few more added drums. Guarantee to make your trunk shake. Judging by the hook, it sounds like he's calling out the fakes in the rap game. Them and any other haters that had something to say about him specifically falling off and what not (like how people say he hasn't been the same since he cut his braids off). Anyway, this song is pretty much all production.
4. Lyrical Healing
Continuing from the previous, Luda is still going in on the haters on this one minute interlude. But here it seems like he's getting more specific. Stating things like certain rappers jacking his flows, talking crazy about him and so on. It sounds like he's directly responding to someone specific. I don't know who. I'll let y'all figure that one out.
5. Beast Mode
If you're a football fan like myself, then the first thing you think of when you look at this title is Marshawn Lynch of the Seahawks. You can kinda call this a theme song for him and for Luda (Lynch is also in the music video. See below). Anyway, production here was okay. Another beat with a crucial bass line. He isn't really talking about much however. Just spitting lyrics about random stuff. Boasting and bragging. Going into "beast mode" I guess.
6. Viagra (skit)
One word. Hilarious. Just listen to it.
7. Get Lit
Da Internz strike again here with another thundering bass line. This has a huge radio sound and could very well be a potential next single. It's nothing really but a "turn up" song for the clubs. Talking about getting drunk/high. In fact, this has strip club written all over it. Twerk video music. Remember "How Low" from his last album? This song serves the same purpose on this album even though it doesn't solely talk about booty shaking. It's an alright song to have fun to I guess.
8. Come And See Me (interlude)
DJ Toomp has been one of my favorite southern producers over the years. Beats like this is why. Much like "Lyrical Healing", this is another minute long interlude with great production. It's pretty much the prelude to the next song.
9. Come And See Me (featuring Big K.R.I.T.)
Get ready for some serious bass. You're gonna need rand new speakers for this one. The song is about his love for cars (something he loves talking about). Now Mike Will Made-It is on the production here and it's the kind of beat you typically don't hear from him. He rarely makes these type of beats with that heavy, vibrating bass. I think Big K.R.I.T. shines most on here though. Probably the best feature on a album that doesn't have many features to begin with. Cool song. Awesome beat.
10. Good Lovin (featuring Miguel)
Here's the albums first single and one of the better rapper/singer collaborations so far of 2015. This is where the album begins to take an emotional turn as the songs become more serious in content. This song is about him reflecting back on a past relationship that led to a bad break up. At least that's what I'm guessing based on his lyrics. Miguel has quietly become one of the better hook singers in R&B and he hits one out of the park here. But overall the song is okay. Not too great.
11. Ocean Skies (featuring Monica)
Getting over the loss of a loved one is very hard to do. Especially when your so close to them. Luda's father, Wayne Bridges, passed away the night after he won the Grammy for best rap album (hence the beginning of the song). This song is a dedication to him. His father was an alcohol abuser and that's what took his life. So in a way, not only is this a tribute song, it's also an awareness song for those who are alcohol abusers as well. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League put together a beat that most would say doesn't fit the tone. I beg to differ. It has enough energy in the drums and guitar strings to get your attention. Yet it soft enough to match the mood of the song. Now I have no problem with Monica as an artist. She's a vet who I have tons of respect for. But I don't know if she was the right person to do this hook. This needed some one with a louder, stronger voice to really bring the emotion out of it. She didn't do it too well. Nonetheless the song is cool. Those who lost loved ones recently will definitely relate.
12. Not Long (featuring Usher)
This song is exactly "emotional" or "deep", but just talks about achieving your goals and dreams. In Luda's case, making it in the rap game as well as Hollywood. This is pretty much his message to those with huge aspirations of making it big. Usher's hook pretty much says it all. Production was a little bland for my liking. Something more energetic and attention grabbing would have worked better for a song like this. Still the song is cool. But I like the message better.
13. Charge It To The Rap Game
While the rap game has it's ups, it also has it's downs. That's what this song is about. All the drama, hardships and road blocks during his time in the rap game. This is also a message he's giving to aspiring young rappers. In fact I like to think this ties in with the previous song. First telling you how to achieve your dream of making it big, but warning you of the drama that comes along with it. I like this heavy drum, clap happy beat done well by Illmind. Cool song overall.
14. This Has Been My World
So here he ends the album off on a good note. Reflecting back on his entire career. Showing how proud he is of every thing he has accomplished. Happy about the things he's done, the places he's seen, the people he's met. He's sees it as a dream where he's in his own world. That world is Ludaversal. So this song is pretty much one big champagne toast to a great life, successful career and to a better future. Congrats.
In closing, I thought the album was okay for what it was. Ludaversal was in a nutshell, a reflection of Ludacris's career up to this point. All the good, all the bad, all the emotion and everything else in between. I give this a final grade of a C+. If there was a hip hop hall of fame, there's no doubt in my mind Ludacris would go in on a first ballot vote. Not many have been able to match his success in a fifteen year span. While you may listen to this album and this his music career may be coming to it's end real soon, that doesn't mean he'll fall off. He still an actor and a savvy business man. That alone will keep him relevant in the game. Ludaversal is here to stay. End.
Lyrics: B
Production: B-
Collaboration: C-
Originality: C-
Concept(s): D+
Final Grade: C+
CREDITS
Executive Producers
Christopher Bridges
Chaka Zulu
Jeff Dixon
Lead Artist
Christopher Bridges
Production
Lavell Crump
Marcos Palacios
Ernest Clark
Joshua Scruggs
Ramon Ibanga, Jr.
Adam Feeney
Larrance Dopson
Christopher Brown
Ronnie Jackson
Aldrin Davis
Michael Williams
Erik Ortiz
Kevin Crowe
Kenny Bartolomei
Kyle Justice
Maurice Willis
Justin Smith
Pacal Bayley
Tyler Williams
Douglas Lucas
Guy Delo
Alexander Grant
Collaboration
Justin Scott
Miguel Pimentel
Monica Arnold
Usher Raymond IV
William Roberts
Thomas Calloway
John Stephens
Jason Williams
Label
Disturbing Tha Peace/Def Jam Recordings
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