Few artists in all of music are able to keep up with the output of Fort Myers, Florida rapper Plies. The artist is releasing his third album in the span of two years. Just six months ago Plies released his sophomore album Definition Of Real which featured the monster hit Bust It Baby Part 2 featuring Ne-Yo. Now Plies is back with his third album Da REAList. Will Da REAList be the strongest album in Plies’ ever-expanding catalog?
The first single off of Da REAList is the Mannie Fresh produced Pants Hang Low. The song is pretty similar to a previous Mannie Fresh produced song And Then What by Young Jeezy. The track features similar drum programming. The track is a catchy single although the repetitive chorus seems a bit too cheesy.
The second single is Put It On Ya featuring newcomer Chris J. The song is the type of R&B;/rap hybrid that you have come to expect from Plies as an artist. The song is in the same vein as Plies’ biggest hits Shawty and Bust It Baby Part 2. However, the song is just not as catchy as those previous efforts.
Jonathan “JR” Rotem produces Want It, Need It which samples The Deele’s hit single Two Occasions. The song features R&B; singer Ashanti and is almost a carbon copy to Bust It Baby Part 2 but instead of sampling a Janet Jackson song, The Deele are sampled. The song will surely appeal to the masses as it is very commercial friendly.
Sean Garrett teams with Plies of Street Light. The song is fairly solid especially the chorus delivered by Sean Garrett. Plies’ vocals work well with the production.
The album opens with Me & My Goons. The track is the typical street anthem that you expect from Plies; however it is slightly more commercial.
Make A Movie is another overtly sexual song from Plies that if it ever hits the radio will need extreme editing. The track however is undeniably catchy.
Family Straight shows that Plies is not just the almost cartoonish rapper he appears to be. On the track Plies shows depth as an artist that is otherwise missing from his songs.
Spend The Night is more of the commercial material that you expect from Plies. The song is cheesy and cliché yet will work with the masses.
Co-Defendant is one of the harder records on the album in terms of subject matter and production. The track will appeal to his so-called “audience of goons.”
I Chase Paper is another catchy song; with its repetitive chorus the track works well.
Heard Of Me finds Plies changing his flow up. His voice almost sounds completely different on the track. The song talks about how Plies is different than all the other mainstream artists.
Overall DA REAList proves one thing; Plies has found the formula for mainstream success. By glorifying his “goon persona”, Plies has appealed to the masses even though most of the album is commercialized rap. Overall DA REAList gets 8 out of 10. If you are a fan of Plies make sure you pick up DA REAList when it is available in stores on December 16th.
