These came out in 2000 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about them back then (with some minor editing):
Bubblegum pop isn’t the only genre where the young ’uns are taking over, it appears — more and more, rap is becoming a kids’ game.
Witness these recent releases from Juvenile and Lil Wayne, two New Orleans homeboys (in more ways than one). Although only 17 — at least according to his bio — Wayne already seems destined for greatness. Breezing his way through his debut disc with a blunted, nasal delivery and a lazy, hazy flow, Wayne’s laid-back stance complements his music’s eccentric energy, produced through cheesy keyboards, snappy snare beats and goofball samples (The Block is Hot is likely the closest Craig Kilborn will ever get to making a rap record). Juvenile, meanwhile, may no longer live up to his handle — supposedly, he’s 23 — but he is a pretender to Master P’s throne, right down to his salty bark and the soldier references he drops all over the patented Cash Money blaxploitation-soul of his third disc. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but Juvenile needs a bit more schooling if he’s really going to make it in the man’s world of gangsta rap.
