MADE

by David JeffriesHip-hop veteran Scarface doesn't evolve much or waiver from his usual hardcore, minimal sound on his 2007 effort M.A.D.E., but that doesn't mean his loyal fan base shouldn't eat it up for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. M.A.D.E. is Scarface doing everything right, delivering those cold, hardcore rhymes over uncomplicated, soulful beats. He's inspired enough to carry this almost guest-free album on his own, and if anything's changed about his lyrics, it's that he's more willing than ever to show his maturity. On the highlight "Big Dog Status" he tells the younger generation to stop worrying about the price tag of their ride and start thinking about what it takes to stay in the game for life. "Boy Meets Girl" is an insightful story of a hood relationship gone wrong while the bleak "The Suicide Note" wonders how Face's old neighborhood slipped into hell so fast. Memorable choruses and hooks like the ones found on "Never" and "Dollar" round the album out just enough, although a couple of redundant numbers keep this from being one of his best. Oddly enough, the rapper picks up his guitar for the album but doesn't hand in a production, leaving it up to Mike Dean, Drumma Boy, and One Drop Scott to deliver the satisfying beats.