A truth recognized by just about everyone is that the term “classic” is criminally over-used in Hip Hop. And yet, the inevitable thought that most often springs forth when a widely-regarded legend releases new material is whether or not the new body of work lives up to the old primetime releases. Undeniably, the pull of the music connoisseur is to hear something otherworldly, an immaculate collection of songs that not only send reverberations down their own spines, but across the Internet. But the desire to satiate these expectations on the artist’s end too often leads to contrived blunders that accomplish the opposite effect.
Save for maybe Jadakiss, there is no rapper more familiar with these high-priced demands than Ludacris. Despite the misguided conceptualization of Battle Of The Sexes, Luda has offered fans a steady palate of solid to great releases the likes of Chicken & Beer or Release Therapy. Ludaversal is his most personal release to date, because rather than go out of his way to devise a perfect album, Luda decided to pen his pain on wax, despite what many people may have expected otherwise.
Luda largely treats the album’s forum as a playground, freeing him up to work within a lane more complimentary to his skill set. Hypersonic rhymes permeated by a cocky demeanor make up the David Banner laced “Ludaversal Intro,” adding to a long list of theatrical intro tracks. The song sets the tone for the first half of the album, where Luda is clearly preoccupied with unloading a few things off his chest. On “Grass Is Always Greener” he explores his own hopeless pursuit of contentment, performing an about-face with every line.
Aside from rising to the challenge of historically outperforming artists on their own tracks, the most spirited Luda verses are often the product of an oversized chip on his shoulder. On “Lyrical Healing” and “Beast Mode,” Luda goes into full rant mode by pinpointing the faults in our new-aged Hip-Hop stars in blunt terms. Cocky as ever, he sends a not so subliminal attack at his former protégés: “Some of my artists switched labels, but I still get a check.”
“Viagra Skit” is a puzzling minefield that sharply and unexpectedly cools the intensity. “Get Lit” features the same meticulous attention to lyrical cadence as the previous tracks but ultimately fizzles due to a vanilla chorus. The same fate accompanies “Come And See Me,” but to a much lesser degree. Big K.R.I.T. and Luda have such a compelling chemistry when trading mics that the assembly-line nature of the hook gets only slightly discomforting.
After the undeniably smooth catchiness of the Miguel assisted “Good Lovin” and his impassioned, heartfelt dedication to his deceased father on “Ocean Skies,” Luda reminds listeners of the peaks and valleys he has had to overcome in his journey to Hip Hop superstardom on “This Is My World.” Here he is both calmly reflective and vehement about those that have doubted him along the way: “Ain’t that about a bitch/ Especially when they told me I wouldn’t do shit or be shit.”
Luda’s come up story is a fitting conclusion to an album that seems to be more representative of not only himself but his artistry than any previous project to date. On the cover of the album is a portrait of his famed ’93 Acura parked next to a private plane. His seemingly unshakeable integrity and forthright spirit in music making shrouds Ludaversal in serious tones, marking a stark departure from the Georgia emcee’s status quo, making this one a novel and welcome addition to his catalog.
I read the review. It’s well written…but 3? COme on son…more like a 4. Its dope in almost every aspect except the beats. HHDX rating system is funadmentally flawed. Lupe was a 5….etc.
Like the previous comment, I too read the review, very well put and written. But by the sound of the article from beginning to end I would have expected something 4 or above. Either way, I have not listened to the album at all, but after this review article I just might! Thanks.
Wasnt expecting much but havto say I were pleasantly suprised, not bad at all, I like the fast spitting luda and theres plenty of that on show here id say 3.5/5
i love the album goo get it !
Luda killed this album. Review is not indicative of the score :S 3.5-4 definitely.
your rating should be 5 OF 5 !!
You guys never give an accurate rating this deserves more than a 3.
Actually now that I really listen to it (I just heard the single) this album kinda sucks. The beats are horrible and the verses sound offbeat.
Im sorry but this is best album since Chicken -n- Beer. Only this album is lacking the “Stand Up” and “Splash Waterfalls” level singles (though “Get Lit” sounds like a potential summer banger).
But as a Luda fan, I can say this album is better than TRLD,RT,TOTM and BOTS. It’s a very consistent album, just had a poor rollout and everyone is on the Kendrick wave at the moment.
Feel like Luda got much more personal on this cd than he has on past albums. All the tracks are solid, one of Luda’s best projects to date. Unfortunatly all the bonus tracks are garbage though.
Solid Album
Dope album, luda’s back!
yo Luda went hard on this shit, start to finish. This nigga been doin his thing, don’t hate, give the dude a higher rating than a 3 tho like wtf HHDX??
3?? HA!! Luda Album was more of a 4. SOLID
cmon guys 3 wtf lbum is dope
wtf is wrong with critics giving this album only 3 start or less? c’mon, the album is more than just decent.. i’m not a huge luda fan but this album was good. the only reviewers giving this shit a thumbs up are youtubers.
Wtf HHDX? First Wale, now Luda? FOH with your “reviews” ps: keep dickriding young thug lol
Album is dope
Yeah first jarren benton and now they are doing it to luda. WHO IN THE FUCK is doing this reviews? Please dont say a black wanna be gangster. For real dogs that shit is old grow the fuck up and be yourselfs so you can understand and comprehand the good side of life.
Far better than expected. Underrated
Shlt is Hottttt!!!
I stopped giving a shit bout luda years ago all that fast n furious shit is so corny to me I just couldn’t be fucking with his music Chicken and the Beer was his last album I fucked with heavy. Am I the only one that thinks he is one the worst actors around? nigga is fuckin horrible he says every line like he rapping over a snappy type beat
Plenty of actors ahead of him Steven Seagal, Chuck Norris, JCVD, Will Ferrell fuck even The Rock
The review says 3, but the reviewer never mentions anything wrong with the album.
I loved it personally.
Dope album
Album is DOPE bumping this in the cali 805 babeeee Thanks Luda!!!!!!
HEY KELLAN MILLER GOT A QUESTION FOR YOU…DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC OR DO YOU JUST SKIM THROUGH IT? YOU PROBABLY STARTED LISTENING TO RAP LIKE YESTERDAY. FUCK OUTTA HERE WITH YOUR WACK ASS REVIEW YOU LAME
How in the fuck you gonna play Luda like that, it’s a easy straight up 4, putting him in the middle of medicore CUNTS!
I like this Shit, the rating is wrong! more like a 3.7
best album
Too much of the same Luda. Album is dope but the mans sound, lyrics, etc. sounds extremely stagnant too me. A couple listens and I’m done with the album. 3 stars.
yall dont know hip hop ..its called original eery other your favorite rappers sounds like someone else..best album of 2015
Luda back, One of his topalbums by far. Stop hating,
Yall called Ludacris legendary LMAOOOOOOOO!!! That term officially means nothing
Ludaversal is the best album of the past year. He worked with a different producer for every track much like he has done for his whole career with all those hits. Most rappers use big name producers or the same producers for their albums and singles but not Ludacris. He could have went with styles that are hot now like trap but he kept it hip hop and pure rap with banging hooks and hard lyrics.
Hmm… 1st two singles: Bangladesh, Neptunes; next album singles: Timbaland, KLC, Jermaine Dupri, and Jazze Pha; next album singles: Kanye and Juicy J; next album: Timbo + Polow da Don; next album: The Neptunes and Polow da Don. I’ll give it up for using different producers but all he does is use who is hot at the time. I’d love to here a new KLC track or Jazze Pha bringing back that old school Luda instead of the new CD w Justice League and Mike Will.
Big up Luda mane, good to see him back in the mix, looking forward to fast and furious 8 already
HHDX really do have trouble being consistent with their reviews. The review for this read like a 4/5 but got 3. I agree it’s not his best work (it comes off as a tad heavy and serious for a Ludacris disk) but you list next to no reasons for the slightly above average rating. Contrast that with when you reviewed The Marshal Mathers LP 2, it got absolutely panned for an entire page and ended up with a 4/5. The write up and the ratings rarely seem to match up and I think your reviewers need to work on that.
I agree. DX aren’t very consistent with their reviews. I mean, they gave Joey Bada$$ a 4 but the review read like a 2.5. I think they should hire a more skilled critic.
Legendary? he has the skill but has NEVER put it into a project
Reading the write up on the album I expected a 4/5. 3/5 doesn’t fit the album in my opinion.
Luda delivered with this album. I like it, much better than Battle of the Sexes.
TO THOSE WHO SAY LUDA ISN’T LEGENDARY?
DO YOUR HOMEWORK, RAPPERS BEEN BITIN HIS FLOWS FOR YEARS.
These hip hop kids today haven’t study shit, most you been listenin to rap for like 5 years.
his 1st album was really good. the 2nd was okay. but for the 3rd time he became a general mainstream fuck in my eyes. this album is extremely weak.
4 out of 5. This is his best release in 10 years.
4 out of 5.
This reminds me of the review by The Source for Xzibit’s first album.
I was plesantly suprised. Allot of good songs on here. Definetly worth a listen or two.
This album was ok def not as good as his older work I’m waiting on that Love Story album from Yelawolf I think that will be album if the year!!
Luda’s thebest
This album is very good. I’ve been listening to it for a week non-stop now and it’s good to hear Luda back on top. FF7 was awesome btw!
Luda has always been a great rapper, just a little formulaic. This album was ok, I prefer his more upbeat stuff since I expect that from him. Beast mode is sick
Good muzik all the time
Y’all give that trash Young thug album a 4 star, but this gets a fuckng 3 ????
luda 4eva
Terrible. Flop.
Thank Luda! I had almost given up on rap completely.