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Ludacris - The Red Light District
Reviewed By: ULTIMATECDLINK
Album Rate: 4.25 out of 5 Stars



Ludacris is back with an all new album, and he is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The rapper from ATL known for his brash confidence and punchlines displays it all in the hit single "Get Back". The album on DTP/Def Jam South features Trick Daddy, Nas, DMX, Sleepy Brown, Nate Dogg, Doug E. Fresh, & more.

1. Intro-- Ludacris comes all out and displays his air of confidence over an Austin Powers beat. Luda drops a quick freestyle-esqe about how he's "4 albums in the can and still in the game" and the "only rapper still gettin checks from 4 different labels". The line that says he's gonna carry Def Jam on his back is true if you consider who is left on Def Jam these days. Nice way to start the album off.

2. Number One Spot-- this is the track that has recently garnered a bit of publicity mainly because of the shots he takes with his arch nemesis, FOX News anchor Bill O'Reilly. Ludacris displays what many punchline rappers these days haven't quite mastered--a nice flow. This is what makes Ludacris one of the few that could lay throne the number one spot in the rap game.

3. Get Back-- this is first single from the album and features the hypnotic beat from KLC (of the Medicine Men). Ludacris had the booties shaking in the club for most of the end of 2004 with this banger.

4. Put Your Money (f/ DMX)-- this one features nothing more than a cameo "come on" or an occasional growl from Yonkers native, DMX, on the hook. Put yo money where yo mouth is the major theme on the track....put up or shut up in this one all about gambling. An all right track but definitely one of the ones that you won't miss much if you skip.

5. Blueberry Yum Yum (f/ Sleepy Brown)-- this one has that classic Organized Noize production sound and features member Sleepy Brown on the hook as well. Ludacris takes a more laid back approach on the mic and it seems to work well considering the track is about firing that sticky-icky up. Tight song.

6. Child Of The Night (f/ Nate Dogg)-- the King of the Punchlines teams with the King of the Hooks yet again (they performed Area Codes on "Word Of Mouf") and they turn out another hit single. This is easily one of the best tracks on the album and with a nice message as well. Ludacris raps about how he's gotta keep his nose clean to change his life for the better. Tight ass song produced by newcomer Voodoo who managed to speed up Teena Marie's "Portuguese Love" and blend the sample in perfectly.

7. The Potion-- one second into the beat and you know that Timbaland nailed it. It sounds like a tweaked version of Missy Elliott's "Work It" beat but you'll be dizzy listening to the track liked you done drank that potion yourself. The hook is really elementary...no literally...but other than that, it's probably another club banger should Luda choose to release it to radio.

8. Pass Out-- this one has a nice midtempo beat that will have ya head bobbing with a quickness. Ludacris comes with another banger that could easily be the next big hit single. The hook goes "if you a lame muthafucka get yo azz out/I'm from the A, I came to party til I pass out". Nice track.

9. Skit

10. Spur Of The Moment (f/ DJ Quik)-- one listen and you know the classic West Coast production sound. Ludacris comes correct on the track but doesn't sound as nice as say a Snoop Dogg would over the exact same beat. Luda and DJ Quik trade bars quite nicely and make you wonder how Ludacris would sound over more West Coast features. A decent track overall that will appeal to some but not necessarily to all.

11. Who Not Me (f/ Small World & Dolla Boy)-- Ludacris takes the opportunity on a CD that's destined for multi-platinum status to introduce the 2 newest members of Disturbing Tha Peace--Small World & Dolla Boy. It's tough to judge them based on this one track but there's not much there to make them stand out in a crowded field of Southern rappers coming to the forefront. The song is not half bad however mainly because of Ludacris's flow.

12. Large Amounts-- this blend of pianos, blues guitars, and drum patterns forms the combination that will have the song on replay in your CD player. "In this life, one thing counts, in the bank, large amounts" goes the hook. Ludacris raps about that almighty dollar and comes tight on the mic doing so. Tight track.

13. Pimpin All Over The World (f/ Bobby V)-- this is the probably the most radio friendly track on the entire album and it seems especially geared for the ladies so don't be surprised to see a video for this one down the road. Ludacris has the flow to save the song but it's not exactly one of my favorites on the CD.

14. Two Miles An Hour-- this one has a really laid back hi-hat and bassline beat, that Dirty South shit courtesy of DJ Toomp. Probably the best track on the entire album because not only is the beat nice, but Ludacris has a tight ass flow on it, a blend of sped up and slowed down rapping that only Luda can pull off.

15. Hopeless (f/ Trick Daddy)-- "when life seems hopeless and makes a nigga lose focus, empty beer bottles and roaches..." This one has a nice blend of blues guitars laced over a nice bassline. Ludacris and Trick Daddy tell the tale of many of the Southern black poor--with no end in sight, alcohol and drugs makes us leave that feeling behind. I'd like to see this one released nationally so that it can shine some light on the problems plaguing the black youth of today. Tight song.

16. Virgo (f/ Nas & Doug E. Fresh)-- Ludacris teams up with Nas and Doug E. Fresh (who also produced the track). At first, it seems like a weird collabo since Nas struggles when trying to stay on point over a Southern beat, but the tables are turned and it's Ludacris turn to rap over an East Coast beat. Ludacris does his best Slick Rick impression with his flow and does a pretty decent job of it.

Overall, the album features a variety of producers--from the Dirty South blends from Organized Noize, Timbaland, DJ Toomp, & Polow (formerly of ATL rap group Jim Crow) to the West Coast coast sound of L.T. Moss, and finally to the East Coast beats from Ice Drake and Doug E. Fresh, all which contribute to make "The Red Light District" a well rounded album. The noticeable absence of DTP rappers Shawnna, I-20, Lil Fate, and Tity Boi are all a welcome relief for once because Luda tried that before and it just didn't work as well for him on his solo projects. Don't fix what ain't broke is exactly the attitude Ludacris takes on the album. Critics may say that Ludacris needs to expand his lyrics so that he can take that next level, but I say 'fuck it' because those same people would be the first ones criticizing Ludacris for changing his style if he did so. All in all, it's a solid album that is definitely better than "Chicken-N-Beer". Ludacris fans would be pleased with this one.