YounG AleX

Fresh out of jail, off the mixtape circuit, the movie scene, and anything humanly possible; The Diplomats Hell Rell graces the Hip-Hop community with his official studio release, "For The Hell Of It." One of the most lyrical members in "The Set", Rell's album can arguably be the most anticipated CD's of all the Dipset soldiers thus far.

Instead of starting off the album with tacky intro-chatter, Ruger Rell gets right to business with lines that gave him a street buzz such as; "I come through in a drop Porsche/two-toned colors/you and ya man/y'all can be tombstone brothers." "Do It For The Hustlers" is....yup you guessed it; an ode to hustlers. Behind trademark Diplomat production, the Bronx native lets us know that; "somebody please call the plumber/because the watch is flooded/and I'm gonna keep on spittin' as long as the block loves it/my pockets are pregnant n***a/the due date is soon/I'm 'bout to take this sh*t over gangster/stay tuned."

On "Deep In Love" Rell takes a more kinder approach, and lets people know exactly what matters to him the most; "I'm deep in love with my daughter/she's one of the reasons I wake up in the morning/I'll kill if you come between her simulack money/I'm never going broke I'm a Diplomat dummy." The Diplomats resident beat-maker Dame Grease lends a helping on "Gonna Love Me." Rell's unmistakable flow coincides with the songstresses' harmonizing in the background and base line. He lets you know just how he feels with phrases like; "I know there's a chance I can get killed out here/pants sagging and chain swinging/and I'm still out here."

The most recognizable things about the album, is that the guest appearances are down to a minimum, with only five. One of those spots was reserved for The LOX affiliate Styles P, on "Hardest Out." They feed off each other well, as Rell opens with lines like; "ya career is about to flop/you need to talk to your manger/Feds taking pictures right now/ smile for the camera." Not to be out done, The Ghost comes back with his own brand of toughness; "I need a boat stash/so I can hit the water/incase I catch a body/or a f**kin' manslaughter."

It wouldn't be a Diplomat album without Killa [Cam] himself, and he makes his presents known on "I'm the Sh*t." Behind the sounds of opera singers, Rell starts it off with; "yeah I sh*ted on him/hand him some toilet paper/I don't take orders/somebody call a waiter." And Cam sums it with; "whoever gets hired I'm hitting/I'm sleeping on the toilet/yup/I'm tired of sh*tting."

Rell shows some versatility on "Life In The Ghetto", as he co-produced the track with Duke Da God. The only thing that needed a little bit more assistance was the hook; because it doesn't do the song any justice. One of the stand out tracks is "Ain't Playin Wit 'Em." Over loud trumpets and bass, (courtesy of Dame Grease), Rell ponders career changes with; "n***as love Ruger Rell/because I'm kind of hard/if rap don't work I'll try my luck with the armored guards."

In the end, "For The Hell Of It" is a solid opener filled with street anthems and good production that should satisfy anyone that's a true fan of "The Set."

__________________

I learned that everybody is not your friend. You have to watch who you associate with and surround yourself with positive things and people who want to do something positive.- Gucci!

Think Muzik

i thought the album was ill...except for the wack cover.

THE GHOST

yeh.. a good new york street album