Nelly

Sweat

This and "Suit" are two of the best albums of 2004.

Review Score:

(8/10)
Well, I have to say that I agree with the people that say that Nelly has gone mainstream, and I do not think he should be considered a rap artist. BUT I do not agree that this is a bad thing. Even Nelly himself said that he is not afraid to try new things and do unlikely collaberations. This album (as well as "Sweat") is a HELL of a lot more interesting than his other two albums, where almost every song sounds the same. What is wrong with Nelly trying to be different from EVERY other run-of-the-mill rap artist out there?? Nothing. It works and this is what Nelly wants to do, so what's the big deal?? Go listen to G-Unit if you like Nelly.

1) HEART OF A CHAMPION (Featuring Lincoln University Vocal Ensemble) - This song heavily samples the "NBA on NBC" theme, but it sounds really good. Perfect ot be played at a basketball game. I really like the chorus, because the vocal ensemle sounds really good. It is the perfect song to get you pumped up and energized, which makes it the perfect song to set the theme of the album. [9/10]
2) NA-NANA-NA (Featuring Jazze Pha) - This is a club-banger. It sounds similar to "Shake Ya Tailfeather" with all of the horns in the background. It has a very good beat, and it's fun to listen to. [8/10]
3) FLAP YOUR WINGS - This is an obvious attempt to recreate the mega-smash "Hot in Herre", but I like it. The beat is really catchy, and I like the part after the chorus "She's got that sweat dripping all over her body". The beat at the end of the song is extended form the radio version, and it makes the song better. [9/10]
4) AMERICAN DREAM (Featuring St. Lunatics) - I really like this song. The beat is really cool and I really like syntyhesizers throughout the whole song. Classic Lunatics song. [8/10]
5) RIVER DON'T RUNNN (Featuring Murphy Lee and Stephan Marley) - It is kind of a reggae influenced song. The beat is unique and I like the chorus. [7/10]
6) TILT YA HEAD BACK (Featuring Christina Aguilera) - I don't care that Nelly went completely pop with this song. It is still really good. I see is as more of a Christina Aguilera Featuring Nelly song though. Her voice sounds really good, and their performance at the MTV VMA's was unforgettable. This song heavily samples "Superfly" by Curtis Mayfield. The beat is good, and it's a very good dance song. [10/10]
7) GRAND HANG OUT (Featuring Fat Joe, Young Tru and Remy Martin) - The chorus is very repetive, but the beat is really catchy. Classic Nelly-styled song. [6/10]
8) GETCHA GETCHA (Featuring St. Lunatics) - This is album filler, and I really don't like this song. It sounds like a "Country Grammar" reject. (3/10)
9) ANOTHER ONE - This is the infamous "Chingy dis" song, or so it seems. I don't think Nelly was trying to diss Chingy, but tell him that he was the first country rapper out there. It sounds like "Nellyville" from his last album of the same name. Not that memorable, but still o.k.. Purely an ego song, though. [5/10]
10) SPIDA MAN - Very slow-paced, should be on the "Suit" CD. It sounds like "Game Over" by Lil' Flip. Not that great. [4/10]
11) PLAYA (Featuring Mobb Deep and Missy Elliot) - One of my favorite songs on this CD. Missy Elliot actually sings on this song, and it sounds really good. It sounds like "Regulate" by Nate Dogg & Warren G. It has a very 1980's feel to it, which makes it very refreshing. It is very catchy and a good club song. [8/10]
12) DOWN IN THE WATER (Featuring Ali and Gube Thug) - Another fogettable song that sounds like a "Country Grammar" reject. Very slow-paced, and there are horns in this one to. [2/10]
13) BOW (Featuring Lil' Flip and Big Gipp) - Nothing special. It sounds like every other rap song out today. Slow-paced. [4/10]

Although the second half of the Cd is full of album filler, the first half is incredable. I could listen to it in a row for days. This album is very good, and I can't help but sonder why the album, along with it's singles are not doing that well compared to the muti-platinum success of "Suit. Either way, I'm glad Nelly is doing his own thing, and not doing what all of the other so-called "gangsta rappers" are doing.

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