It was only a matter of time. After a series of highly acclaimed singles and guest appearances on some of N.Y.C.'s most sought-after mix tapes, Joe Budden's debut release lives up to the hype and then some. The opening is pure rap/hip-hop gold -- gone is the stark seriousness of modern times and... [+] Expand

It was only a matter of time. After a series of highly acclaimed singles and guest appearances on some of N.Y.C.'s most sought-after mix tapes, Joe Budden's debut release lives up to the hype and then some. The opening is pure rap/hip-hop gold -- gone is the stark seriousness of modern times and in its place is a good-time shout-out festival to the pioneers of hip-hop that harks back to an era when bling-bling didn't matter but good times did. But after the hit single "Pump It Up," things get rather serious and heavy in true Def Jam style. Budden doesn't mince words or spout out the normal East Coast rap clichés; his delivery is sincere, especially when dealing with the internal day-to-day conflicts of living in Jersey City. The heaviest moment in the entire album resides in "Walk With Me," a brutally honest confessional of his life on the streets, his past problems with substance abuse, and his uncomfortable transition from being just another rapper to a rapper signed to a contract with a major label. He's not an entertainer like Ja Rule or Jay-Z, flaunting his bling and filling every waking moment with a guest cameo, and that might be a problem for some people. But those who can look past these things and focus on a tight lyrical delivery need look no further than this record. An impressive debut and a sure sign of great things to come. ~ Rob Theakston, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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