“Last of a Dying Breed” includes the best rapper of 2008, Lil Wayne, and bounces with a hard, speckled beat. Nas and Jay-Z show up on “I Do It For Hip Hop,” pulling together one of the album’s best cuts with quick verses and old school scratches.
The usual “message” cut closes out the record, with “Do the Right Thing” filling the spot. Common is a nice choice for co-conspirator on the track, but Luda’s work leaves a lot to be desired and the song lacks thrust and impact.
And that’s really the basic problem with Theater of the Mind; Ludacris has trouble as a serious rapper. Whether it’s message tracks or thug cuts like the featureless “Wish You Would” or the daft “Call Up the Homies, he simply never casts a big enough shadow to be taken for an intimidating or shrewd performer.
As pure entertainment, then, Ludacris’ record works. As anything else, this is one Theater troupe that should probably leave it to the pros.
Article comments
1 - corey beard
i disagree wit those statements made about ludacris! that new album Theatre Of The Mind Is hard and original! He is worth 8 figures and deserves more credit for his work
2 - rob
his new cd is off the hook the best cd ut last year 2 me bye far n it came n the end he is the best rapper alive !!!!
3 - Breanna
His new album Theatre of the Mind is straight up the best and he is fo sho the best rapper alive!