Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges has been one of the most consistent MC’s since the beginning of the new millennium.
From the time of his first release, Back For The First Time ten years ago, all of his projects have had a platinum plaque attached to them, (with the exception of the gold-selling Theater Of The Mind).
Nonetheless, he’s been an exceptional employee for Def Jam, and he plans on making himself, and his check writers even happier with his seventh solo-studio album, Battle Of The Sexes.
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Trying something different this time around, the witty lyricist from ATL invites females such as the Lil Kim, Trina, Diamond, Eve, Shawnna, Monica, and the overly used Nicki Minaj to help get a woman’s point of view. But he evens the playing field a little by having names like Flo Rida, Trey Songz, Lil Scrappy, I-20, and Gucci Mane join him as well.
The Venus vs. Mars journey starts off with the previously released songs of ‘How Low’ and ‘My Chick Bad’ (feat. Nicki Minaj). Lil Scrappy jumps on the simplistic sounds of ‘Everybody Drunk,’ where Luda’s lyricism carries the song from beginning to end. ‘I Do It All Night’ is just as uninspiring, with the production not matching up Ludacris’ wordplay.
Trey Songz adds a spark to album with his contribution to ‘Sex Room,’ where the head of Disturbing Tha Peace serenades his lady as only he can. ‘Party No Mo’ (feat. Gucci Mane) is another pick-me-up on a rather lackluster effort, along with ‘B.O.T.S. Radio’ (feat. I-20).
But tracks like the slow and drawn out ‘Feelin So Sexy,’ and ‘Hey Ho’ (feat. Lil Kim and Lil Fate) will make you use your fingers to press the skip button, instead of using them to snap along with the beat.
Known for recruiting the biggest names in production for his records, Ludacris does the admirable thing with Battle Of The Sexes and keeps the platinum specialists down to a minimum, and opts to give the up-and-comers a chance.
Only problem is that they didn’t bring their A-game to the studio, leaving Ludacris to fend for himself through most of the project.
Where his last record, 2008’s Theater Of The Mind was basically like a Hip-Hop version of Masterpiece Theater, Battle Of The Sexes resembles that of Custer’s Last Stand.
Next up for the superstar is his Ludaversal project, and hopefully he’ll be able get back on his winning streak with that one.
