Search - Jermaine Dupri :: Young, Fly & Flashy Vol 1

Young, Fly & Flashy , Vol 1 by Jermaine Dupri

David Foskin | Waterford, Ireland | 01/18/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"It's been nine years since So So Def CEO (and now Virgin Records' President of Black Music) Jermaine Dupri released the label's gold-certified compilation So So Def Bass All Stars, Vol. 1. Since then he has steered the careers of rappers Da Brat and Bow Wow as well as releasing three other compilations showcasing the diversity and talent among the South. In the past, all of Dupri's compilations have been launching pads for regional artists as well as critically-acclaimed albums. Not so with his latest effort, Young, Fly & Flashy Vol.1 (So So Def/Virgin). A poor attempt at showcasing the newest So So Def signees, the album falls short of providing a taste of how innovative and dope Southern Hip-Hop can be. Instead we are given a project full of lackluster tracks, recycled concepts and artists whose passion is just not enough to set them a part from the popular players of today's burgeoning Southern rap scene.



Newcomers Young Capone and The Kid Slim fail to impress on tracks like "I'm Hot" and the tedious "10 Toes". With talented artists like Boyz N Da Hood and Slim Thug repping heavily for the South, competition is too fierce for Dupri's newest draft picks to deliver with no originality. Party joints like "Gotta Getcha", which is too short to be enjoyed, and KP and Envyi's "Put Cha Hands Up" are both mediocre attempts at club-friendly radio songs. "Put Cha Hands Up" just does not get the party started the same way the duo's 1997 hit "Shorty Swing My Way" did. And what could have been a hot ode to exotic dancers if it was just a little longer ("Gotta Getcha"), clocks in at less than three minutes.



But Southern enthusiasts don't fret; all is not lost on this LP and there are a few tracks worth checking for. "Kodak Moment" is authentic down-South rider music featuring Kavious, Pastor Troy and UGK's Bun B. The addictive "I Think They Like Me" (Remix) is made for stuntin' in your ride and worth a listen just to hear Da Brat's scene-stealing bars. ATL veteran Pastor Troy shines again on "Just to Fight", which is reminiscent of his classics "No More Play in GA" and "I Declare War." Another heater, "Throw'd Off" featuring T. Waters is a catchy party joint guaranteed to have heads nodding in the club although the Asian-influenced track sounds similar to the Terror Squad's 2004 hit "Lean Back".



Staying true to today's formulaic topics (bling, pimping and the streets) combined with a lack of originality, Young, Fly and Flashy Vol. 1 could not have been more appropriately-titled. The album does little to give a true glimpse of the potential these newcomers possess, nor does it highlight the musical creativity and hit-making ability Jermaine Dupri is known and celebrated for."

1-1/2 stars -- Dumb, dry and trashy

Anthony Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 02/28/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"First things first: this compilation shouldn't even be called Jermaine Dupri Presents... because JD is only involved with two songs on here (he stars in "Gotta Getcha", and he produces one other song). Anyway, I'm not exactly sure what possessed him to put together Young, Fly & Flashy Vol. 1; whether he was just thinking about "the way we were", or if he just wanted to showcase some new young talent. Actually, maybe I shouldn't have said the latter, because it looks like JD dug up some of the most UNtalented people ever.



But things aren't very inspiring with the known artists, like when J-Kwon and Daz try to save "10 Toes". And I wonder how long ago that song was made because in it, J-Kwon says he's 17, but that's how old he was when "Tipsy" came out. I don't know WHY JD decided to dig up has-beens KP & Envyi for the dismal "Put Cha Hands Up" (that title even sounds like it came from 1997), and as for "I Think They Like Me", if it's really Dem Franchize Boyz' song, how come they're the only ones in there that can't rap?



Most of the rappers on here are unknowns, but in the end they really aren't WORTH knowing because even JD is a better rapper than they are. Miss B's "Grown Man" suffers from a corny chorus, and T. Waters' "Throw'd Off" is just plain wack. And Cato's lazy "So What" made me say just that. But the album's nadir is the title track, performed by Young Capone, Midnight, Champagne Shawty and C-Dirt. Not only is there lackluster production, but the guys' rapping is so bad that they make Chingy look like Rakim.



The only saving grace to this whole compilation is Bun-B's verse on the otherwise terrible "Kodak Moment". Unlike that title, though, this album isn't anything to remember. If Jermaine ever makes a Young, Fly & Flashy Vol. 2, I'll be the first person not to get it.



Anthony Rupert"