KeAnthony's debut solo effort, A Hustlaz Story, showcases the singer/songwriter's unpretentious vocal abilities. Securing a deal with Reprise/Warner Brothers has afforded him the ability to work with renowned producers such as The Underdogs, Tank and Scott Storch. The purity of KeAnthony's vocals is undeniable. This Nashville native possesses immense potential to become an eminent R&B sensation. A Hustlaz Story can be divided into three categories: "Decent but Forgettable," "Borderline Non Sequitur" and "Admirable."
The album commences with "Down Girl," which serves as a harbinger for most of the record. It's an upbeat track, but the absence of innovation is apparent. "My Song" seeks to inspire listeners to call up radio stations and say, "Hey DJ, can your play my song." It's a cute way of exploiting a generic term.
"Everytime I'm High" seems to be an obligatory inclusion on the album. Must everyone dedicate at least one track to that "good green?" The album's title track is an ode to all the "down-ass-chicks" that have been with there men since day one, while "Meddlin" finds KeAnthony flaunting his near flawless tenor.
On "It's Ok," a gentle and sincere cadence envelops KeAnthony's delivery and compels one to purge the pain away. All the aforementioned tracks are decent, but they lack that essential element that will embed them into one's memory.
The constant whining on "I Ain't Tryna" is tantamount to experiencing an audible lobotomy, while "Forever My Homie" is a conundrum simply because this track seems unfinished and not thoroughly developed. Why is this mature man lamenting about pulling a lick with his homie? If one is indulging in extra-curricular activities, one should expect the good along with the bad. Why walk around with a long face because your homie isn't locked up with you? "Got ten to fifteen to think about ya /out on the yard walkin' thinkin' bout ya / under the power-liftin' thinkin' bout ya / mean muggin' the guards but it's really bout ya," he croons. The ambiguous lyrics on the song evokes two thoughts, "did KeAnthony succumb to penitentiary poking? And if he did, he needs to let it go." These two tracks will leave one baffled and wondering why they were included on the album.
"Call Me" contains a hypnotic draw that is capable of inducing coitus, while "I Thought" is a dedication to true friendship. "That's What I'll Be" features a soothing symphony accompanying KeAnthony's heartfelt sentiments and makes for one of the best tracks on the album. All of these efforts are very admirable.
Dedicated fans will champion the success of KeAnthony's R&B career. Hopefully, A Hustlaz Story will be the catalyst to challenge KeAnthony to hustle harder with his sophomore album and become the superstar he's destined to be.
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