Review Summary: Like the kiddy end of a pool - really shallow, but fun.
Despite his widespread fame, critical success, and riches, Ludacris has somehow managed to remain a good rapper. Next to my adored Gucci Mane, Ludacris is the second best rapper, and on Ludaplex he showcases why. His recognizable voice, good flow, and funny punchlines make him the perfect mainstream rapper. Despite his less-then-stellar choice of collaboration – Young Jeezy, Lil Scrappy, Willy Northpole – and shallow, shallow topics, Ludacris manages to produce a solid effort.
The beats are equivalent to sugar water, sweet, but really nothing of substantial measure. Doing nothing but snatching beats from other artists and his past releases, Luda does a good job of matching beats to songs and flows. Other than re-upping artists on their own instrumentals – I’m giving you the stinkeye, Officerer Ricky, he fails to make the production exciting, and believe me, the aforementioned aspect isn’t that enthralling. The one constant formula seems to be synths, bass, kicks, drums, and snares varying in measure and sound each time with various noises thrown in, which is what you would expect of an Atlanta rap album, but the quality of the beats isn’t equivalent to other Atlanta rappers like Lil Jon, T.I., or Waka Flocka Flame.
But Ludacris has something those guys don’t, good lyricism. He has a recognizable, signature voice and good flow, but he doesn’t make that the center of the Ludacris Show. Despite excessively materialistic topics (Addicted to Money, Yea We Gettin’ Rich) Ludacris manages to be a lyrical wiz, even making egomania and bragging about money, hot cars, and ‘hot bitches’ quite appealing. Ranging from funny one liners, “Ridin’ down, choppin’ blades, call me Samurai Jack,” to long, absurd, confangled hilarities, “What the f*ck, death to you haters/I wear black everyday like I shop with Darth Vader/Keep the Luke Skywalker, force is the chopper/Furry mink coat straight lookin’ like Chewbacca,” Ludacris never fails to entertain in the lyrical department.
So, although possessing materialistic subjects, Ludacris still provides quite the entertaining show, no matter how trap or mainstream you are. This isn’t a must have, but should be checked out, especially on a rainy day. I wasn’t looking forward to Luda’s upcoming album, now I am, and you should be too.
