By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
While fans continue to wait on The L.O.X. to release a new album, the members are solo, once again. Yesterday, Styles P released his fourth studio album, Master of Ceremonies. The album is a follow-up to his 2007 album, Super Gangster: Extraordinary Gentleman.
Fresh off the mixtape scene, Styles P enters Master of Ceremonies poised and confident. Teaming with Avery Storm for “How I Fly,” the opening track off the album, Styles P flows over a track many owuld never expect him to touch.
Brilliant wordplay and versatility keep Styles P ahead of the game on Master of Ceremonies. Switching from gangster to gentleman is something Styles P masters on his new album. Not many rappers in the game have the ability to switch their styles and still manage to be convincing. While Styles P has a number of collaborations on Master of Ceremonies, the show is never stolen from Styles P.
Master of Ceremonies provides several street anthems and is a classic Styles P album. But, it is clear P has grown as a lyricist, and an overall artist, on his new album. Styles P also unites with the L.O.X. family on two tracks, “Street Shit,” with Sheek Louch, and “It’s OK” with Jadakiss. Sadly, Styles P did not deliver on a true L.O.X. anthem on the album.
Still, Master of Ceremonies is a must-have album, the first true hardcore, gritty, album of 2011. For those who wanted the “street shit,” Styles P truly provides this, with a touch of gentleman sprinkled throughout the album.
Hip Hop Vibe’s Rating: 7/10
