Made
So how does Roc-A-Fella Records cope withJay-Z's retirement? Well, some would argue that Hova's departure leaves the gate wide open for his in-house protégé Bleek to step up. Despite a three-year gap between releases--which seems like dog years in popular music--Bleek seamlessly jumps back into the fray by utilizing the widespread rap trends of the day. With its share of clichéd collaborations and pedestrian interpolations, his third full-length sure ain't noBlack Album. That being said, Bleek's mature ruminations on near-death family experiences (brother) and childbirth issues on "Understand Me Still" hold your interest. And while neither Bleek's delivery nor his lyrics do much to distinguish him from your average Joe Emcee, production contributions from Just Blaze and Kanye West make this a highly listenable album. The numerous guest appearances by members of the Roc-A-Fella clique bump things up a few more notches as well. Everything fromFreeway's vocal histrionics on "Just Blaze, Bleek & Free" toM.O.P.'s sheer intensity on "Hood Muzik" to the Jiggaman's sublime raps over the '70s-soul-infused "Hypnotic" help to make this Bleek's best album to date and a pleasant surprise overall.--Dalton Higgins