Nelly’s Return: Needed or Unnecessary?

Album: 5.0

Artist(s): Nelly

Official/Original Drop Date: November 12, 2010

Grade: B

Blade(s): 8

Bottom-line: Worth ending 2010 with.

Review: After reports of Nelly being upset that he was not on the sham list of rappers from Mediocre Trash Viewed (MTV) I decided to listen to this album. Nelly allegedly was pissed that he was not named on the list whatsoever. He has not been in the game for a minute and released his album this month, ummm how does that qualify? Either way, here’s the breakdown.

This album is decent, is it the best to hit the industry for 2010 – definitely not, but it’s no where near the worst. Nelly has never been a fave artist of mine but this album seems to deliver the same that Nelly has always delivered – middle of the road. Compared to some disappointments that have been produced this album is damn good. Far more deserving of hard earn money than its opponents. Some of the album is Nelly attempting his version of woo without reducing the woman to a bitch or pulling a string of curses and disgusting connotations together; as if that is supposed to get anyone other than ‘bitches’ to respond with a smile.

The other half is story telling of gold diggers, him wanting a strong woman by his side, attempting to claim the title of I’m Number 1 (ft. Birdman & DJ Khaled), and rapping about how hard he and his co-rappers are. Some lyrics could be muted out and the music would be able to stand alone just fine. Liv Tonight (ft. Keri Hilson) must be the dance club track as the synthesizers got a heavy workout. Nothing Without Her, Just A Dream, the recollaboration with Kelly Roland on Gone, and I’m Number 1 were stand outs for me.

The overall project gained Nelly a B and 8 blades. Not the best hip hop/rap album, but definitely one of the strongest.

blades: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

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