Ludacris: Theatre Of The Mind (All Hip Hop Review)

xPaperPlanes78x · 11-24-2008, 03:57 PM

As an actor Chris Bridges seems to be surging with various roles on the big screen already under his wing. As a rapper Ludacris isn’t enjoying that same momentum. With millions of units sold over a span of six well received albums, the work he has put in is nothing to sneeze at.

But on the flipside Luda feels he still doesn’t get the proper respect he deserves as an emcee. With that hurdle in mind, Mr. Disturbing The Peace hopes to inject some of his movie mojo into his conceptually dabbed Theatre Of The Mind (Def Jam).

The themed theatrics are set off on “Intro”. An usher announces the show is about to begin with Luda jumping in with his signature double time flow. “Undisputed” pits ‘Cris inside the squared circle with famed boxer Floyd Mayweather in his corner. Don Cannon utilizes some sped up soul vocals over a dusty horn section to set the background for Luda to go in with a barrage of punch lines.

The feature progresses into some narrative scenes with “Call Up The Homies” and “Southern Gangsta”. The former finds Luda going back and forth with The Game and DTP artist Willy Northpole, as all three share accounts of their travels during tense moments. The latter goes for a more dramatic effect with actor Ving Rhames narrating the track with assistance from Rick Ross and Playaz Circle.

Where this sonic journey falters is the abundance and rather ineffectual supporting cast of guest appearances. We get the always customary T-Pain feature in the rather forgettable “One More Drink”. The radio friendly single “What Them Girls Like” with Chris Brown fails to leave any lasting impression as well.

The biggest disappointment lies within the Jay-Z and Nas collaboration “I Do It For Hip-Hop”. What could have been one of the biggest tracks of the year falls prey to boring production that takes away from a normally stellar lineup. Closing out the show is the sleek DJ Premier produced “MVP” and the surprisingly vibrant 9th Wonder engineered “Do The Right Thing”.

While Theatre Of The Mind has some great moments ("Last Of A Dying Breed") scattered throughout the disc, it lacks a true cohesion to bring everything together. As the headliner, Luda’s solo act is also limited to only four out of fourteen tracks which ultimately dims the spotlight on his showmanship. Is this a reflection on his skills? Of course not, dude can still spit with the best of them. But a blockbuster this was not.

7 1/2 /10

http://allhiphop.com/stories/reviews.../20718863.aspx

jada_is_da_man · 12-21-2008, 04:17 PM

This is a good album, maybe deserved a bit more than 7.5, but i agree he shoulda been alon on more tracks than just 4

konkwest2009 · 01-15-2009, 06:16 PM

I liked some songs better than others. Maybe he shoulda hooked up with Ye and the Neptunes.

Deuce Six · 02-08-2009, 11:20 PM

What's this obession with solo tracks? Look at Raekwon's "Only Built for a Cuban Linx..." how many solo tracks did he have? and yet it's still considered a classic

Rapforever · 02-21-2009, 08:32 AM

Good Album, but not the best from Luda. He can do it better. But theme for the album was great... shoulda been better work!

tramatic · 03-13-2009, 05:15 AM

Not good...only one good song so far(not listened for the whole album...I shoud've listen). Luda ain't that good..I actually only know few songs from luda, I do it for hip hop and mvp from the new album-.-

ticalboss · 03-21-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapforever

Good Album, but not the best from Luda. He can do it better. But theme for the album was great... shoulda been better work!

its good but i prefer "word of mouf"

11-24-2008, 03:57 PM	#1
xPaperPlanes78x Swagga on a hundred thous Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 485 Repped: 30 Repped 84 Times in 54 Posts Neg Reps: 5 Neg Repped at 31 Times in 24 Posts	Ludacris: Theatre Of The Mind (All Hip Hop Review) Ludacris: Theatre Of The Mind (All Hip Hop Review) As an actor Chris Bridges seems to be surging with various roles on the big screen already under his wing. As a rapper Ludacris isn’t enjoying that same momentum. With millions of units sold over a span of six well received albums, the work he has put in is nothing to sneeze at. But on the flipside Luda feels he still doesn’t get the proper respect he deserves as an emcee. With that hurdle in mind, Mr. Disturbing The Peace hopes to inject some of his movie mojo into his conceptually dabbed Theatre Of The Mind (Def Jam). The themed theatrics are set off on “Intro”. An usher announces the show is about to begin with Luda jumping in with his signature double time flow. “Undisputed” pits ‘Cris inside the squared circle with famed boxer Floyd Mayweather in his corner. Don Cannon utilizes some sped up soul vocals over a dusty horn section to set the background for Luda to go in with a barrage of punch lines. The feature progresses into some narrative scenes with “Call Up The Homies” and “Southern Gangsta”. The former finds Luda going back and forth with The Game and DTP artist Willy Northpole, as all three share accounts of their travels during tense moments. The latter goes for a more dramatic effect with actor Ving Rhames narrating the track with assistance from Rick Ross and Playaz Circle. Where this sonic journey falters is the abundance and rather ineffectual supporting cast of guest appearances. We get the always customary T-Pain feature in the rather forgettable “One More Drink”. The radio friendly single “What Them Girls Like” with Chris Brown fails to leave any lasting impression as well. The biggest disappointment lies within the Jay-Z and Nas collaboration “I Do It For Hip-Hop”. What could have been one of the biggest tracks of the year falls prey to boring production that takes away from a normally stellar lineup. Closing out the show is the sleek DJ Premier produced “MVP” and the surprisingly vibrant 9th Wonder engineered “Do The Right Thing”. While Theatre Of The Mind has some great moments ("Last Of A Dying Breed") scattered throughout the disc, it lacks a true cohesion to bring everything together. As the headliner, Luda’s solo act is also limited to only four out of fourteen tracks which ultimately dims the spotlight on his showmanship. Is this a reflection on his skills? Of course not, dude can still spit with the best of them. But a blockbuster this was not. 7 1/2 /10 http://allhiphop.com/stories/reviews.../20718863.aspx __________________ If you rep me ill do the same...

12-21-2008, 04:17 PM	#2
jada_is_da_man Professional Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: manchester, uk Posts: 2,358 Repped: 1,502 Repped 7 Times in 7 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	This is a good album, maybe deserved a bit more than 7.5, but i agree he shoulda been alon on more tracks than just 4 __________________ Earn easy money by filling online surveys and forms. Totally easy and free to join- no risks! http:// www. realfiles. net/link/af198847

02-21-2009, 08:32 AM	#5
Rapforever Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 15 Repped: 0 Repped 2 Times in 2 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 1 Time in 1 Post	Good Album, but not the best from Luda. He can do it better. But theme for the album was great... shoulda been better work! __________________ R.I.P To All My Enemies...

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01-15-2009, 06:16 PM	#3
konkwest2009 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 31 Repped: 0 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	I liked some songs better than others. Maybe he shoulda hooked up with Ye and the Neptunes.

02-08-2009, 11:20 PM	#4
Deuce Six Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: T Dot Posts: 1,489 Repped: 715 Repped 205 Times in 115 Posts Neg Reps: 84 Neg Repped at 33 Times in 28 Posts	What's this obession with solo tracks? Look at Raekwon's "Only Built for a Cuban Linx..." how many solo tracks did he have? and yet it's still considered a classic

03-13-2009, 05:15 AM	#6
tramatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Finland Posts: 1 Repped: 0 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Not good...only one good song so far(not listened for the whole album...I shoud've listen). Luda ain't that good..I actually only know few songs from luda, I do it for hip hop and mvp from the new album-.-