Rating: NNN
A convincing (and actually relevant) skit recreating the FBI bust DJ Drama was involved in earlier this year introduces this bombastic mixtape/compilation.
Alternately impressive and depressing, the big-name gatherings either mesh or make a mess. Yo Gotti, Webbie and Lil Boosie’s Keep It Gangsta is as sadly clichéd as it reads, but the disc is quickly redeemed by a witty Lil Wayne, Freeway and T.I. on the gully Cannon remix. Jazze Pha’s triumphant 5000 Ones unites T.I., Nelly, Diddy, Jeezy and Twista for a stripper college fund anthem. before Andre 3000 and Big Boi defy expectations and graciously give us a fourth instalment in The Art of Storytelling. Solid, but not groundbreaking, the last half drags until the astute FBI-embarrassing outro skit and the grandiose Pharrell and Clipse finale Cheers. And yes: why is the government arresting mixtape DJs? Isn’t there a war going on?