Ludacris — Word Of Mouf

I almost missed a plane to get a sneak-peek of Ludacris' new album, Word Of Mouf. It was worth the risk — this is some of the dirtiest crunk-funk to ever come out of Hotlanta.

Ludacris may not have the most versatile rhyme skills, but he's still hip-hop's favourite country kissin' cousin. Word is that kids are rhyming in pre-kindergarten about having "hos in different area codes," speaking to the power of Ludacris' summer joint, "Area Codes." It's included here, along with a track each from Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. The Timbaland joint, "Rollout (My Business)" grinds on a slow-burning beat that's equal parts southern groove gravy and inner city electro. Swizz's joint, "Cry Babies (Oh No)," bumps a lot harder, riding an ill ho-llercoster of a bass line.

Other notable joints come from Shondrae, Organized Noize and Jazze Pha (who twiddled the knobs for "Area Codes"). The illest joint is the hidden track, "Welcome To Atlanta," a collaboration with Jermaine Dupri (although ya'll didn't hear shit about it from me, a'ight?).

Word Of Mouf has some filler material, but most of Ludacris' skanky tales bump with club-friendly abandonment. And please, let's not hear any of that playa-hating "sellout" shit — if Ludacris' success bothers you, just steer clear and go jerk off in a corner with your Buck 65 and Kool Keith CDs.

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