The timing of Boosie’s release from prison couldn’t have been more perfectly timed with where pop-as-rap is currently situated. Atlanta (and by extension the South) runs the game, and entire generations of young rappers are excelling at doing what was, until this album release, their best “Lil Boosie impersonations.” On Touch Down 2 Cause Hell, the Louisiana rapper does just that, returning to “touch down” on his throne as one of the South’s founding rap fathers and kings of the style. In painting vivid portraits of urban realities over largely magnificent productions, the emcee has crafted an excellent release that also shows the street legend potentially taking his skills to another level of greatness.
There has been a four-year delay between albums for the Baton Rouge, Louisiana born rhymer. Much of that is due to his five-year prison stint in the Louisiana State Penitentiary. He was serving time on federal charges of first-degree murder, possession with intent to distribute narcotics (Schedule II-Codeine, Schedule I-Ecstasy and Schedule I-Marijuana), “conspiracy to commit possession with intent to distribute narcotics” and “conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal institution.” Though originally sentenced to eight years, his sentence was reduced to four and he was released in March 2014 (and is on probation until 2018).
While in prison, Boosie stated in a 2013 interview that he had “about 500 songs [completed] at the moment,” the emcee was feeling like he was “making the best music [he’d] ever made.” This would appear on the surface to be a lofty claim by a performer attempting to retain relevance while incarcerated. However, upon listening to Touch Down 2 Cause Hell’s three lead singles “On That Level,” “Like A Man” and “Retaliation,” there’s a sharpness in Boosie’s tone and flow that still remains, now aided by a veteran’s ability to see the game with size and scope, fitting his bars into places where other emcees dare-to-tread. There’s a commonplace statement that “prison ‘does things’ to a man.” In the case of Boosie Badazz, it gave him the ability to see through and past all of the politics and niceties of the music industry and society at-large, which affords him the chance to create a lyrically raw, thematically cohesive and overall excellent album.
The album’s two best lyrical performances come via Boosie partnering with frequent Louisiana-based emcee Webbie for “On That Level” and “Hip-Hop Hooray.” How an album that also includes collaborations with Rick Ross (“Drop To Music”) and Chris Brown (“She Don’t Love Me”) benefits more from Boosie standing with a man whose last pop hit was 2007’s “Independent” actually ties back to that title, and the idea that both Boosie and Webbie still hustle and struggle. Alongside literally every other word on that song lies the reason why the Boosie and Webbie collaboration works. It’s an honest album’s most honest and turnt-up material, and succeeds because it actually exceeds a well-worn expectation for Boosie’s sound and style.
Atlanta-based industry kings London on the Track (who produced gritty, synth-driven banger “Retailiation”), Young Thug (guests on “On Deck”), Jeezy (appears on “Mercy On My Soul”) and Rich Homie Quan (contributes bars to “Like A Man”) are all here, but honestly all of their work pales in comparison to the honest brilliance cast by Boosie Badazz on this album. J Cole and Keyshia Cole are even here as well for latest single “Black Heaven,” but Boosie’s ability to sound turnt up, heartbroken and ready to riot, even in the context of a ballad, is impressive and makes the usually heartfelt J. Cole appear milquetoast by comparison. Boosie name-drops literally every dead black person of note from the hood to the high-rise, here. Impressively, this will likely be the only track you’ll ever hear that name drops Trayvon Martin, Crips gang founder Stanley “Tookie” Williams and Michael Jackson — almost in the same breath — and the track is actually better for the occurrence.
Standing out as a producer on the album is Louisiana-based Kenoe. Yes, he has Nicki Minaj’s “Beez In The Trap” under his belt, but here he expands his sound from trap to a more soulful style. All five of his production credits on the 19-track album all err in a classic southern soul direction. Bluesy electric guitar leads on “Black Heaven,” TI-featuring lovelorn anthem “Spoil You,” and “Mercy On My Soul” offer a mature feel to Boosie’s ratchet questioning of his haters’ intentions and celebrations of living through his struggles to see another day. “Window of My Eyes” is all pop-as-trap’s love of minor-chord violins and rolling snares, with “Kicking Clouds’” ambient trance-style trap featuring a booming bassline that makes it one of the album’s best produced tracks.
Released from prison, Boosie turns over a new leaf on Touch Down 2 Cause Hell. An honest man now doing honest work, his mental clarity benefits his lyrical directness. The end result is an album that is as much a wild party as it is brutally honest. In achieving each of these goals without feeling too much like it’s placating Boosie’s lifelong fans or pop radio expectations, it excels in walking a fine line and being a tremendous listen.
How the fuck do you justify giving this horse shit a 4/5? The same rehashed bullshit over and over and over, and you give it a 4.
I used to buy albums based off of your reviews because they used to be on point but you fell the fuck off DX.
This album is actually pretty dope but Yelawolf Love Story is still by far the album if the year
No TPAB or 2014 FHD
The album is wack, all southern rappers are terrible
“bf finest” biggie loved and jigga loves southern rap since ’90 you’re fake
So this and Young Thug are both better than Tech N9ne and Yelawolf? smh.
o you definitely white…
I’m not white, and Tech’s and Yelawolf’s albums were better than Thug’s and Boosie’s. What now?
no fucking way this album is 4 out of 5. bullshit! hip hop dx, listen, you better get your shit right.
I haven’t heard much from this dude..previewed it on iTunes and his voice irritated me too much so there was no point in going any further with it
pretty dope
Mr. Wipe Me Down still a legend
HIP HOP DUMB X EQUALS ZERO CREDITABILITY. THE ONLY REASON TO GO TO THIS SITE IS STRICTLY TO LAUGH AT IT. WORST MUSIC SITE ON THE WEB HANDS DOWN
I’m Juneau police department fuckin cat. I’m looking for a brain I lost
this shit is garbage…..
Seriously, upon what criteria do you people rate albums? This album is straight garbage, first and foremost. Do you guys accept money to say good things about albums? This site loses it’s credibility more and more everyday. This site is contributing to the dilution of the hip hop culture.
boosie the realest rapper alive! hands down!
Honestly it’s one of the best albums of the year this far. Rap music is 90% wwe. But boosie stands out above the rest
Boosie’s album Bad Azz was 4.5 stars in my opinion.. but i’ll admit i havent heard this album yet. I’m gonna give it a 5 to balance out all the hate.
Fiya
Dope
This is one of the best southern albums in a while. I thought the review was on point.
This garbage gets a 4 but canibus only gets 3.5
People really rating this so low? It’s actually fucking dope! I never was a really huge Boosie fan because I never really heard his solo albums, but always thought he was cool on features. However, I listened to this in its entirety and now am a full-on Boosie fan.
Haven’t even heard it but giving it a 5 to balance out the hate. And I don’t even like this dude but oh well
If people actually listened to the album instead of pre-judging it will realize that it is one of the best albums of the year.
You’re spot on I think it truly competes with Forest Hills Drive
Yall kill me like a south artist cant produce a great album. This shyt goes in. Got to watch his documentary as well in order to better grasp his influence in the south. Best body of work for Boosie.
This album redefines fire. Not only did Boosie have the ability to address real topics, but he made itnot sound like rat shit. All the people who dissed this album are coming in without looking at it on an equal level. They are coming in with bias on what they beleive is good rap. This is by far the most explosive album i have heard, and definitely Boosie’s best work. This album is savage and if you dont think so you honestly dont know what you’re saying. Congrats to Boosie on this one
5 star
“Touch Down 2 Cause Hell”is by far the best of all albums out this year thus far.With Producers From London on da Track.to Big Wayne & Keynoe.First week sales projected respectively around 56k.Considering hes been incarcerated for 5 yrs will take that.Td2Ch has lots of replay value for your money.You can put the whole album on repeat.Maybe just two top 100 song “Black Heaven” & “Mercy on my Soul”but honorable mention songs on here should be taken very seriously.With a slew of top 200 songs which collectively make for a great album.This very well could be Boosie’s first solo gold album.
Boosie came hard with this one right here. Got it on repeat.
Wasnt really a fan ..listened to the album and was surprised ..the albums is fya i pretty much was feeling every track and lyrics was on point i took in every word
EHHHHHHH…..too many songs should have cut it down to 12
3/5
Far better than I thought it would be, but far from something I want to bump again because there are way better projects out.
Great come back album! I was not expecting this, atleast not on the very first project released.
IMO, it is one of the best albums I have heard this year.
I’ve never considered myself a Boosie fan. Honestly I always thought he was kinda wack. I picked this album up and he made me eat every word. I was shocked at how great this album is. I’m on my 4th listen now. Keep up the fya Boosie.
Superbad was SOOOOOOOOO much better boosie. 3/5 for effort.. I only like prolly 6 of the I believe 19 r 20
The album is a bomb and I’m not even big boosie fan.
Never really listened to Boosie but when I heard this, I felt an urge to go through all his discography. Good bars and originality. Nice work.
“Stand up like a man” and make an album worth listening to. A very big let down. Maybe I’m just getting old and grew out of the old Lil Boosie I use to listen to back in the day. This album was very cliche to the common hip hop age of today. Not original.
Great Album 5/5
I personally boogie badazz give u a 10 I loved it I love hearing you rap and speaking the truth and shit and for u haters do u actually know what he’s been through he fought cancer which I have pancreatic cancer I was going to chemo made me way too sick but I know how that’s hit is I seen all kinds of shit go down and been done wrong by people,I trusted I’m sorry I went on and on but keep it up baby doll and u look good also btw