Though Ludacris continues to beef with Oprah over rap's respectability, he really should be thanking her. In his quest to prove her wrong about hip-hop's intellectual heft, Luda has turned "Release Therapy" (Def Jam) into his best album yet - alternating his playful rhymes with a newfound interest in a world beyond No. 1 spots and lick-lick-lick-licking you from your head to your toes.
On "Runaway Love," which features Mary J. Blige, Ludacris creates his version of 2Pac's "Brenda Had a Baby," telling tales of teenage runaways trying to escape abusive parents, drive-by shootings and unplanned pregnancies. He outlines their stories of how they were "forced to think that hell is a place called home," as Blige's gospel wail punctuates their pains.
It's an intellectual depth that has been hinted at in Ludacris' acting, but not in his rapping. "I'm 28 years old, it just now started making sense," he raps in the gospel-steeped "Freedom of Preach," explaining how his daughter has changed his life and how he's now searching for redemption.
Of course, Luda hasn't given up on his good-time, partying side completely. The slithering "Money Maker," the album's first single, and the adventurous, electro-influenced "Girls Gone Wild" are the best track the Neptunes have put out in years, while "Woozy," his duet with R. Kelly, is a surefire hit.
With "Release Therapy," Ludacris boots Kanye West from his throne and should up the ante for upcoming releases from Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Eminem if they want to be considered hip-hop's best for the year. ("Release Therapy," in stores today; grade: A)
Listen to "Release Therapy" here
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