Soulja Boy Tell' Em

Hip-hop purists love going after Soulja Boy, but he isn't without his charms: His skeletal production work is as catchy as it is simple, and his chanted raps are effortlessly hypnotic and charmingly naive. Unfortunately, his sophomore album isn't nearly as addictive as his debut. The formula feels a little more forced, and the hooks aren't nearly as catchy. Some of the stuff here (particularly "Hey You There") is inexcusable and makes you wonder if the label's QC department fell asleep on the job.

Here's what hasn't changed about Soulja Boy: Search his name on YouTube and you'll find
a guide to his new dance (the Bird Walk). Put on his new album, and you get a mix of bright
synth beats and exuberant, drawled catchphrases. "Hey You There" uses the angry shout
of a mall security guard as a launching pad for goofy nonsense rhymes. Here's what has
changed: The beats on iSouljaBoyTellem &#8212 built by Soulja and Mr. Collipark &#... More >