After XXL’s Freshmen of 09 – magazine magazine’s list of ten most promising rookies in rap, and has a high-profile co-sign from Terror Squad member turned Def Jam South President, DJ Khaled, 21-year-old Floridian Ace Hood. much to prove. Intended to become the next big pop star after Rick Ross, Flo Rida, Pitbull, Trina and Trick Daddy, the young man dropped his debut Gutta less than eight months ago. It sold poorly and met with mixed reviews. But driven by the most successful artist in the industry, Ace Hood is back, seemingly infatuated, with their sophomore album Ruthless, which is a lot like its Drop predecessor, Ruthless. Grade-A production from popular beat makers such as Runners and The Dream, as well as A-list guest stars such as Akon, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Ludacris and Birdman, among others.
He is less “impudent” than eager, indeed cheap, to receive, to be acclaimed, to fame. This is not a bad thing, especially if you look at the youth. In fact, his zeal and energetic gruffness sometimes fail his songs with his songs, as when he simply evolves from a cameo king like Ludacris (who destroys Og with an intense trope development. ) or when he slips into cliché. In fact, a lot of white people are clichéd: songs like Champion featuring both Akon and T-Pain, featuring Rick Ross Money, and Instead of Genius Cake, and Champion as you sing along represent the latest hip records these days. But Ace Hood’s vocals, which sound vaguely like non-nasal, irritable Lil-wayne, leave an impression: Champion is Ace Hood‘s song featuring Akon and T-Pain, not the other way around.
Author album is not as well constructed as, say, Maino If You Come Tomorrow (see review) or Bobby RayB.O.B vs. Bobby Ray‘s mixtape (see review); actually more of a mixtape than an album. But then, with the material being relatively uninspired, it’s unlikely that track sequences, skit inclusions, or even the addition of notable clothing mixes or recent collaborations would be of much interest. It is shorter than its predecessor, which is good, because the more abundant material means less, rather it is more.
It’s not a poor album by any stretch of the imagination; on the contrary, it is solid to the ears. He simply lacks imagination. If Ace Hood’s third album is less of a regional effort and displays greater artistic ambitions, then he has a real shot at becoming Florida’s next national hip-hop star.
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