Master P

Ghetto D continued to win Master P legions of new fans during his meteoric rise to the top of the rap game, while simultaneously giving more shine to Southern hip-hop in general. While East Coast cats were scratching their heads in bewilderment, tons of kids were grunting along to P's latest smash hit, "Make 'Em Say Ugh."

As an entrepreneur, new orleans-based No Limit boss Master P is truly a mastermind of
cross-promotion and sell-through drive. Earlier this year, he went straight to video -- and
double platinum -- with his debut as a film director and producer, "I'm Bout It." Even on his
own CD, Master P doesn't waste precious booklet space on something as mundane as lyrics;
with "Ghetto D," you get full-page hype on four upcoming releases, including P's *... More >

The title track is noxious and miraculous, hooked to a hectoring male singsong unlike anything I've ever heard. Subject: how to manufacture and distribute rock cocaine. The hit vies in rank sentimentality with "Candle in the Wind," hooked to a male groan also unlike anything I've ever heard. Subject: dead homies, a hard reality turned soft metaphor. The rest is underproduced propaganda for, reflections of, or fantasies about thug life that hold intrinsic interest only for live homies and their wannabes. Question: Why aren't crack buyers also victims of this "black-on-black crime" that must stop? And another: Why aren't there better things to do with talent and initiative? (Grade - C+)