Chicken & Beer - Ludacris (CD 2003)

Warning this review contains quoted lyrics from an album that uses adult language and discusses adult themes .

When it comes to Southern Hospitality, no rapper has ever made the impact Ludacris has. Starting out as a radio DJ in the ATL, Ludacris recorded an album and distributed it independtly. When his underground hit "What's Your Fantasy?" made waves he was immediately signed by Def Jam records and started his label Disturbing Tha Peace. Taking his album "Inconegro" adding a little big record company magic and rereleasing it as "Back For The First Time" Ludacris was introduced to the masses.

Ludacris is basically the id run wild and armed with a startling command of words and a sly sense of humor. When you listen to him you have a choice. As a woman I could easily find tons of lines to offend me on here. Yet, I also feel you have to put things into perspective. This isn't an album for children, it isn't an album for conservatives and it isn't an album for prudes.

The album opens with the phenomenal introduction "Southern Fried Intro". It's really the length of a full track but it feels like the beginning of the album. Ludacris's ego is front and center and it's entertaining and impressive. He raps with speed and determination and you can understand every, single word he says. It's amazing how he can make every word just leap out to you. This leads directly into the gleefully abrasive "Blow It Out (your a*s)" The lyrics are humorous, the delivery is brash and the result is something some part of you can identify with.

"Stand Up" was an undeniable hit with it's infectious hook and hard hitting beats. It's a club anthem of the most carnal kind and it works. It makes you want to dance and it has an intensity that is fun and engaging. The references to drugs and sex are unavoidable and is infused in pretty much every aspect of the song. The lyrics, the flow, the females accentuated with a suggestive "ahh", the pounding pulse of the production all scream of sexuality.
Speaking of sexuality and carnal pleasures, "Splash Waterfalls" is just undeniably raunchy and even a little sexy. Ludacris has no problems slipping into an aggressive (in a good way), dominant lover and describe explicitly exactly what a guy needs to do in the bedroom. The female sample is a wanton, submissive woman as she coos in a begging voice "Make love to me........f*ck me". This is definitely along the same lines as "What's Your Fantasy?"

"Hard Times" is a little more seriously and seems to be autobiographical. It's got some great lyrics and a more subtle hook but the song has substance and emotional weight. "Diamond In The Back" is all about wanting to have something in life and dealing with temptations (drug selling, crime) when you have so little. It has a slight retro feeling and has a more smooth feel than most of the tracks. It seems very real and sincere, yet also has humor and insight.

Humor is definitely not lacking on the downright rebellious "Screwed Up". The hook really is a chant of "f*ck you" and is basically about smoking weed. It's fairly offensive yet it has a spirit about it that you know it's more for fun than anything. "Hoes In My Room" is a rap/comedy routine between Ludacris and Snoop Dogg. Ludicras can pull of humor much better than his guest star and so while Luda sounds funny and self aware, Snoop Dogg just sounds mean.

"P-Poppin" is a lewd, bouncing affair featuring Shawna once again. "Teamwork" is a very jovial song about a threesome with the straightforward hook "Hey we gonna be having some fun, cause two is better than one" It's like the Wrigley's gum commercial meets the Spice Channel.

Just as Ludacris is the bright spot on Chingy's album, Chingy is the dark spot on Ludacris's. I always wonder how someone who is as talented as Chris Bridges (Luda) could see anything in Erkel clone chingy. Oh well. "We Got" is really the only someone gangsta, hard song on the album and quite frankly its the least enjoyable. The album ends on a good note though with a tribute to those who helped him make it and how hard life can be
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Another strength of the album compared to the other albums is that the skits are actually funny. Even though the jokes still can get old, they hold much longer than many of the other skits.

Ludacris is a smart, savvy lyricist who is able to put everything on the table in a way you can laugh with him. Sure, Ludacris might really be a horny, stoned creature of pleasure who had a rough childhood. Yet he has an uncanny ability of taking it, exploiting it and making you realize you can take a tour of his world without saying you completely accept it. He can take words and give that experience it's own personality complete with a sense of humor. That's a gift. Chicken & Beer is an album you at least have to hear once and it's worthy of being in your collection.