R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece Review

Drop It Like It's Hot is one of the strangest records ever to sit at number one, a beat made of tongue clicks, a synth blip and almost nothing else, and his delivery over that emptiness is the entire point. Signs is the other side of the same partnership, disco strings and a Justin Timberlake hook, sold with complete conviction. Between them they gave him a genuine second career.

The rest of the album is exactly what you would expect, guests from every corner of the industry, competent mid tempo beats, and a man enjoying himself without exerting himself. Let's Get Blown coasts on charm. Ups and Downs is skippable. There is no attempt at depth anywhere and none is really wanted. Graded as a piece of pop it works, because the two big ones are enormous and the filler is pleasant, and pleasant is a thing he does better than almost anyone.