Throw Some D's (Remix) (Feat. Andre 3000, Jim Jones, Nelly, Murphy Lee
Alabama-based Rich Boy is the protégé of erstwhile rapper, turned producer Polow Da Don. Polow's banner year in 2006, including hugely successful tracks for the Pussycat Dolls ("Buttons") and Fergie ("London Brid... more »ge"), has transitioned nicely into 2007 as Rich Boy already has one certified cross-coastal anthem in the bag: "Throw Some Ds." Also on the rise is the stalking, scowling "Boy Looka Here," and expect "Get to Poppin" to hit with its exotic sound and beefy beats. Clearly, Rich Boy is not hurting for potential singles yet his debut doesn't really cohere much beyond that. Partly, it's that Rich Boy is competent but not extraordinary, reminiscent of any number of Southern rappers with their scrunched-up drawls, yet lacks the kind of intense charisma that a T.I. or Lil Wayne pumps out. And unexpectedly, despite Polow's guidance, this album lacks a diverse, relentless sonic energy that a peer like Timbaland would likely have brought. The album doesn't fizzle but nor does it sizzle. --Oliver Wang« less
Alabama-based Rich Boy is the protégé of erstwhile rapper, turned producer Polow Da Don. Polow's banner year in 2006, including hugely successful tracks for the Pussycat Dolls ("Buttons") and Fergie ("London Bridge"), has transitioned nicely into 2007 as Rich Boy already has one certified cross-coastal anthem in the bag: "Throw Some Ds." Also on the rise is the stalking, scowling "Boy Looka Here," and expect "Get to Poppin" to hit with its exotic sound and beefy beats. Clearly, Rich Boy is not hurting for potential singles yet his debut doesn't really cohere much beyond that. Partly, it's that Rich Boy is competent but not extraordinary, reminiscent of any number of Southern rappers with their scrunched-up drawls, yet lacks the kind of intense charisma that a T.I. or Lil Wayne pumps out. And unexpectedly, despite Polow's guidance, this album lacks a diverse, relentless sonic energy that a peer like Timbaland would likely have brought. The album doesn't fizzle but nor does it sizzle. --Oliver Wang
"great! jus wat hip hop needs, another idiot comin up talkin bout cars n money. its no wonder nas sez hip hop is dead. unless the real mcs stand up soon, hip hop has no hope"
Wait For The Instrumental Version... {2 ½ Stars}
Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 03/21/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Hmmm...where do I start with this album? After a few listens, the first few things to jump out at me was:
1) The fact that Rich Boy sounds like his retainer is falling out of his mouth when he's rapping. There are moments where he is simply uninteligible.
2) Polow is a better rapper than him and it really, really shows. The problem is, this isn't a Polow Da Don album (after hearing his work on the boards, I'd like to hear what that would sound like though).
The problem is, despite all the great production, Rich Boy is an average rapper at best and his topic range is more generic than Lil' Flip's -- and that's saying a lot. I mean, you can hear the potential on some songs, but the man simply can't put together a string of dope lines. Instead, you get the typical braggin', ballin', bit****, blingin', and bread. And even if that's the kind of thing you like, you've heard other rappers of the same ilk do it way better than he's doing it. You've also heard this story a million times and that's what makes this album nothing more than a showcase for Polow's production. I will admit that I've been hooked on "Throw Some D's" and it's remix, but that, again, is because the production is crazy.
Positive aspects? The title of this review says it all. I'm lovin' Polow's production right now (he also outraps Rich everytime he makes an appearance). Also, it's good to hear 3000 rappin' again -- he had me worried that he would never do it again for a minute there. Oh, and "Let's Get This Paper" is a banger. I'm really feelin' that track. Not only is the production top flight, but Rich Boy drops some heartfelt rhymes -- and you can understand every word (which is rare on this album). All the positive aspects end there. There's a ton of skip material on this LP. But I guess that's how much dope you get for only $7.99.
Rich Boy is one of the worst releases I've heard this year, but the production is pretty nice -- especially when you consider what passes for good nowadays. I really can't make it any more plain than that. Artists like him are why no one thinks southern rappers are any good at, well, rapping. If you're one of those people that just listen to the beat whether the rapping is wack or not, then this album is for you. Everyone else should steer clear of this "album."
Standout Tracks: And I Love You feat. Pastor Troy & Big Boi, Throw Some D's [Remix] Feat. Andre 3000, Jim Jones, Nelly, Murphy Lee, & The Game, Let's Get This Paper feat. Polow Da Don (My Favorite), Touch That A**, Good Things feat. Polow Da Don & Keri, and Throw Some D's feat. Polow Da Don"
2-1/2 stars -- Rich with wackness
Anthony Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 06/20/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"When I looked at the Billboard Hot 100 and noticed that Rich Boy's "Throw Some D's" was making moves, I wondered who he was, but then I thought that maybe I didn't want to know. And after listening to that song as well as his self-titled debut, I wish I'd trusted that instinct.
As usual, I agree with Norfeest and Musac Critic's respective reviews. The production on this album is pretty on-point for the most part, but the thing is, this isn't an instrumental album. Thus, the problem is that Rich Boy really ain't that great of a rapper. I never liked "Throw Some D's"; however, it's still better than a lot of the other songs, like "The Madness" and "Get to Poppin'".
There are also a few songs whose subject matter seems to change in the middle of them. "Let's Get This Paper" appears to be a political song, but then every verse ends with "let's go get this paper". And the disgusting "Touch That A**" has the first verse suddenly ending with quickly mentioning a hater followed by a round of shots. What does that even have to do with the song?
Guest stars don't fare very well either. I have no idea what John Legend and Big Boi are doing on this album, but surprisingly, their contributions on the respective tracks "Ghetto Rich" and "And I Love You" really aren't that great (and the latter isn't helped by Pastor Troy being wack as usual). Mark Twain (???) fails to impress on "Gangsta"; and if you think YoungBloodZ's Sean Paul will save "What It Do", you'll be disappointed because he only appears during the chorus. And the obligatory end-of-album remix-of-the-first-single contains the weird combination of Lil Jon, Andre 3000, Jim Jones, Murphy Lee, Rick Ross and the Game.
As I stated earlier, well-produced tracks are ruined by sub-par lyricism, like "Role Models" and especially "Hustla Balla Gangsta Mack" (but "On the Regular" sounds like a wannabe Jazze Pha song). Rich Boy doesn't really have enough skills to have a lasting impression, so I wouldn't suggest picking this album up.
Anthony Rupert"
Polow Da Don Presents Rich Boy
Josephll | CET | 08/26/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Rich Boy's eponymous debut album was released in March so I'm quite late on it and since alot of others already wrote good reviews I'll make it short and compact. Alabama native Rich Boy (Maurice Richards) had a big hit #6 with his single "Throw Some D's" that was produced by super producer Polow Da Don that also produced the majority of the album, hence the title. The song samples "I Call Your Name" a hit for Switch in 1979. The song is basically about throwing away money and cruising in his ride and acting cool. Even if the song itself is quite explicit it's the absolute standout on this album and was too irressistable to not become a hit. Unfortunately too many songs on this album deal with materialism to the point that it feels redundant. However, the production is mostly on point and Rich Boy who is a decent rapper got this distinctive southern drawl that is sometimes hard to understand but quite charismatic. "Good Things" a Hip Hop ballad with talented Keri Hilson is another standout and sounds alot to "Runaway Love" also from Polow. However Polow who's a pretty good Mc overshines Rich Boy on this one and it makes you wonder who's the guest artist on this one?. Keri appears again on the reggae inspired "Lost Girls" where they sing "get up stand up for your right" and John Legend gives his usual performence on "Ghetto Rich". Both alright. A song called "Role Models" with David Banner we find Rich Boy once again demoted to guest status while second single "Boy Looka Here" is rather forgettable and "On the Regular" deserved a better fortune with really bad lyrics. Timbaland clone Brian Kidd got a few songs sandwiched between all of the Polow cuts but they're nothing special and neither is Lil Jon's "What It Do". But the almost unlistenable "Touch that A**" takes the price for worst song.
So let's sum up this album. Rich Boy isn't the worst Mc I heard but his lyrics are embarrasing and thankfully (or unfortunately for him) he gets overshadowed by guests on almost every song and sometimes his bad lyricism is saved cause of good guest while other times he almost feels like a guest on his own album. He does have a decent flow, but very few of the songs offer anything interesting. Like aformentioned it's mostly about materialism or women. If you liked "Throw Some D's" it may not be said that you like alot of other songs cause most of them sound very diffrent, even if Polow Da Don produced all but 5. Having said that, I don't think this is the last thing we heard from Rich Boy but if he's going to release another album he can't just rely on solid production and guests and he must find some better ideas to rap about. 2'5 stars.
"
Beats Get 4 stars, Rich Boy Gets 1
David Brown | Northern Virginia | 07/09/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"If someone - anyone else -- had been given the same production courtesy of Don Da Polow, this would be a southern classic. The tracks are BANGIN'! No complaints there.
But Rich Boy CAN'T RAP. I don't know what else to say. He CANT RAP. He's may be one of the worst to ever pick up a mic on a major label release. On the Laziness meter he outranks Snoop Dogg and Fabolous combined. The Don should boycott him and work on beats for artists who can really contribute."