He calls it as he sees it
Plies
Definition of Real (Big Gates/Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic)
ESSENTIAL "#1 Fan"
From the start, the definition of real has been one of hip-hop's prime subjects, and for this Florida MC, it is an obsession. For Plies, though, real means unleashing an uncut id instead of maintaining the purity of the rhyme and flow. On his second album in less than a year, he repeats the sound and content of his successful debut. He comes across as a Southern-fried early DMX with his unabated aggression; raw, explosive verse; and hints of conscience. The MC details his journey out of the "gutter," and his uncompromising swagger is part of his appeal. "[Expletive] Bag" and "Who Hotter Than Me" are prime confrontational tracks, while "Feel Like [Expletive]" is as raunchy as mainstream hip-hop gets. He raps over tracks produced with precision, if little surprise, filled with bass bombs and menacing synths, which perfectly underline the unease. There are steps toward pop, especially "Bust It Baby (Part 2)," with Ne-Yo, and the ridiculous attempt at a love song, "Please Excuse My Hands," with The Dream. Plies has a third disc due in December, and to get real here, he needs to add some imagination to his hip-hop verité. [Ken Capobianco]
