Ludacris - The Red Light District

Think what you want about Ludacris, but no one can deny that he is hip-hop's king of choruses. Luda's hooks are big, brassy, and loud; they're tailor-made for club crowds and radio programmers. Some songs, like "Get Back," practically sound like one long hook, every line a potential anthem. At times, it's easy to forget that Ludacris knows how to rhyme too. His taffy-pull verbal style isn't as lyrically intricate as Nas's (who appears on "Virgo") and can't match Trick Daddy's thuggish bravado ("Hopeless"), but few other rappers exude his level of charisma. On "Number One Spot," Luda acts like he's strong-arming his way to the top, but it's really charm that propels the charge. Even on a song like "Two Miles an Hour," dedicated to "those who spend more on their car than their relationship," he's more clever than clownish in selling the concept. Red Light District has its share of filler, but, track for track, Ludacris still delivers satisfaction. --Oliver Wang Amazon.com

Dont stop at this Red Light District just keep moving!

Okay. Ludacris without a doubt has skills but he sometimes fails to make a good album. His first two were great but Chicken N Beer was horrible and he keeps the madness moving with this album. The Good: the intro wasnt bad plus it leads off into the second single and one of the better cuts on the album, Number One Spot. His first single Get Back was alright although it wasnt a groundbreaking cut its cool(why does that video look like a cheap imitation of Redman's I'll Be Dat?). Child Of The Night featuring Nate Dogg is another notable cut and DJ Quik joins in on the fun on Spur Of the Moment. Pimpin All Over The World is another highlight and will somebody PLEASE tell Honey Mike that he is not funny! Honorable Mention: The Potion. The Bad: A classic example of beat wasting is practiced on Put Your Money feat DMX. Nice beat but the bland lyrics about compulsive gambling make it filler. Pass Out is another dull crunk wannabe that should have been disposed of with the quickness. Two Miles An Hour is boring. Not because of the laid back beat by DJ Toomp but because the lethargic rhymes by Ludacris and how the hell do you sign your name in the streets? With pee? The Ugly: Blueberry Yum Yum, featuring Sleepy Brown is the worst smoke joint ever made! The corny beat and the stupid wordplay by Luda makes you want to quit smoking actually. Who Not Me featuring Small World and Dollar Boy is the second worse track on the album as the song itself sounds like it was put together in five minutes. Hopeless with Trick Daddy is dull as s***. I admire them for attempting to talk about something of substance but the song was too lifeless to get into. Dishonorable Mentions: Large Amounts(GARBAGE) and Virgo feat Nas and Doug E. Fresh(why Nas even put this soulless cubic zirconia on his album makes me question his sanity sometimes). Bottom Line: Luda drops another dud with Red Light District. Its not his worst album(Chicken N Beer has that honor) but its the next worse thing. No doubt that Luda has skills but this album and Chicken N Beer doesnt show it. Just beatwasting and wack guest appearances(with the exception of DJ Quik, Nate Dogg and Bobby Valentino) and some suspect production on certain parts. Red Light District? More like Bordello of wackness. July 15, 2007

Impressive Album!

In celebration of Ludacris' more recent success with his #1 album "Release Therapy", I've decided to check back on its predecessor, "The Red Light District". Although I've been a fan of his music and his larger-than-life persona for a while, especially because of killer club cuts like "Stand Up", I've never convinced myself to buy any of his albums until now. And I must say that I'm impressed on this record.

Whether or not this album is better than its predecessors or "Release Therapy" is something entirely out of my current knowledge, but this album is packed full of infectious club bangers, witty punch-lines and the occasionally amazing (albeit obligatory) moment of lyrical brilliance and/or introspective clarity. Many of the album's producers (Timbaland, DJ Quik, DJ Green Lantern, Organized Noize, Doug E. Fresh and a large host of others, mainly unknowns) and guest artists (R&B singer Sleepy Brown, DMX, Nas, Tricky Daddy, Bobby Valentino, etc.) also lend their helping hands in this consistently enjoyable, more-than-an-hour-long record.

Without a doubt, "Number One Spot" is definitely one of the best tracks on the album. With DJ Green Lantern's unconventional Austin Powers Theme sample in the beat, along with Ludacris' witty lyrics and hilarious Austin Powers references, the aforementioned club tune plays to all of Ludacris' strengths - strong MC skills, witty lyric and punch-lines, appealing sense of humour, energetic performer, personality, etc. - and puts a creative twist on a standout track tailor-made for dance-floors. "Blueberry Yum Yum", a stoner ode that's as humorous and drowsy as it is essentially pointless, gets by mainly because of Ludacris' laid-back delivery & Organized Noize's squeaky, hypnotic synthesizers (in other words, guest singer Sleepy Brown is practically unrecognizable vocally). LT Moe provides a nice bouncy groove for the joyous "Spur Of The Moment", an obvious club jam where Ludacris & DJ Quik deliver their laid-back verses. Then of course there's "Get Back", a rowdy, violent, boisterous club banger where KLC's mix of blasting horns, piano key loops and pounding bass intensify Ludacris' attitude-heavy boasts. "Pimpin' All Over The World", a self-explanatory club track, succeeds (once again) due to Ludacris' unavoidable presence, Bobby Valentino's smooth crooning on the hook, Donnie Scantz & Polow Da Don's laid-back beat & a funny skit from Katt Williams.

Thankfully, not everything is about fun, games, partying and smart-a** jokes. Songs like the autobiographical "Child Of The Night" & the uplifting "Hopeless (feat. Nate Dogg & Trick Daddy, respectively) display Ludacris' more vulnerable, smarter, more thoughtful side of his personality. As joyless as such songs may be, seeing a deeper side of Ludacris - as well as something of more lyrical importance - is something I highly appreciate.

Unfortunately, inevitable filler is bound to come up (which is to say nothing of the forgettable intro and skit). Ludacris' ill-fated collaboration with DMX makes for trite music listening on "Put Your Money" ; one of Timbaland's lesser beats are -for better or worse- wasted on Ludacris' lacklustre lyrics on "The Potion" ; "Pass Out", a lifeless ode to violence, doesn't even come close to matching "Get Back", nonetheless any other track on his album, his catalogue or even Hip-Hop in general ; and although "Virgo", an old-school-inflected club tune/sex ode, isn't a complete train wreck, I expect someone of guest artist/rapper Nas' calibre and statues to deliver lyrics which have more depth or heat (I hereby have no comment on producer/guest rapper Doug E. Fresh's forgettable verse).

As a whole, this is a very impressive album. I suggest you buy or download "The Red Light District" consistently provides club-ready entertainment while also showing glimpses of Ludacris' lyrical ability. 4 stars!

5 Best Tracks:
"Child Of The Night (feat. Nate Dogg)"
"Spur Of The Moment (feat. DJ Quik)"
"Number One Spot"
"Pimpin' All Over The World (feat. Bobby Valentino & Katt Williams on skit)"
"Blueberry Yum Yum (feat. Sleepy Brown)"

Worst Tracks:
"Intro"
"Skit"
"Pass Out"
"Put Your Money (feat. DMX)
"The Potion"
December 1, 2006

Not bad but not my favorite

I'm not really a fan of rap. I do have some top 40 hits rap when i hear it, but really I'm a fan of hardcore. But really, I have love Ludacris since Word of Mouf. I found his raps creative and funny. Really a testament to the creativity it takes to rap. Instead of just mumbling out some ghetto slang about cars and bling he raps about funny elements but dont think hes all serious. He still fills songs out with cutting lyrics when he wants.

To me though, this CD isnt as good as Mouf or CnB. I don't think the songs were as strong. I still like them but I prefer Mouf because its what got me into his music and I think the songs are more catchy and fun to listen to. "Number One Spot" "Two Miles an Hour" "Pass Out" and "Get Back" are still enough to warrant a purchase but if your looking for a stronger Luda grab Word of Mouf or his new cd which I grabbed online and its very strong. September 25, 2006

Ludacris - The Red Light District

Ludacris doesn't wait long to follow-up his 3rd solo album, 2003's "Chicken -N- Beer." In December 2004 his 4th album, "The Red Light District" was released. With his smash single "Get Back" getting maddd rotations and tv time, he is once again out to prove just how dominant he is in the rap game.

1. Intro - No Rating

2. Number One Spot - 4.5/5

3. Get Back - 4.5/5

4. Put Your Money (Featuring DMX) - 4/5

5. Blueberry Yum Yum (Featuring Sleepy Brown) - 4/5

6. Child of the Night (Featuring Nate Dogg) - 4.5/5

7. The Potion - 4/5

8. Pass Out - 3/5

9. Skit - No Rating

10. Spur of the Moment (Featuring DJ Quik & Kimmi J.) - 4.5/5

11. Who Not Me (Featuring Small World & Dolla Boy) - 4.5/5

12. Large Amounts - 3/5

13. Pimpin' All Over the World (Featuring Bobby Valentino) - 4/5

14. Two Miles an Hour - 3/5

15. Hopeless (Featuring Trick Daddy) - 4/5

16. Virgo (Featuring Nas & Doug E. Fresh) - 3.5/5

Overall:

55/70

3.5 Stars

Luda definitely disapoints with this effort. Instead of getting better with this release it just seems like he's going downhill. There are lots of good tracks on this album but also lots of wack ones that bring it down. Luda still got his punchline and lyrics game on top but lots of the hooks are so-so. September 17, 2006

Luda's District

Ludacris once said that he writes the vast majority of his rhymes while driving, so he drives with his legs. For someone who writes while driving, he is really talented. Anyone who writes rhymes knows that sometimes it requires much thought. "The Red Light District" is a solid rap album, and I enjoyed most of the cuts included. He has a really nice flow, and I love the emphasis he puts into his words. DMX is the only other rapper who does that, but it's quite alright because they do it differently.

Some of the cuts on this LP had some strange production, but strange in a good way. This album is innovative production wise. "The Potion" and "Number One Spot" are examples of what I'm speaking of. Both of these songs are innovative in their production. "Number One Spot" samples the theme song from an Austin Powers movie, and Luda makes mention of a few characters in the movie, which I enjoyed listening to. He even had Mini Me in the video as an added bonus. Out of all of the tracks on "The Red Light Disctrict", "Blueberry Yum Yum" sticks out in my head the most. The feel of the song is so laid back, and the beat is so neat. The song is about a form of marijuana, and its just creative. Ludacris never has a weak flow, some of his rhymes are just better than others. "Pass Out" is an example; his flow isn't bad but it isnt' his best either. It sounds much like a video game. Luda spends this song bragging about himself. It's one of the most subpar songs on his fourth album. "Pimpin' All Over the World" is one of the best songs on the album. It was released and received lots of airplay. This song, and one of his previous efforts entitled "Area Codes" have the same topic: having women all over the world. Bobby Valentino does a very good job with the chorus, he was definitely a nice add to the song. "Child of the Night" is another reason why this is a solid albun. This song features Nate Dogg and has a good subject matter; Luda's life. This is also one of the better songs on the album.

This album is by no means a classic, but it is one of his best works to date. It's mostly filled with party songs and some laid back tracks, so pick this up if your looking for a good time and a few good messages.

Mikeisha's Top 5
1. Virgo
2. Child of the Night
3. Number One Spot
4. Pimpin' All Over the World
5. Blueberry Yum Yum August 12, 2006

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