Tough Luv
Note to the Young Gunz: before you declare yourselves the future of the Roc you might want to release a debut album that actually supports such a wildly boastful claim.Tough Luvisnotthat album. Sure,Tough Luvoffers up adequate hip-hop. Songs like the R&B-inflected; "Grown Man" and "$$$ Girlz," with its retro-'80s,Hall & Oatessample and start-and-stop tempo changes, will easily satisfy young rap fans and the legions of Roc-A-Fella devotees. And there is, of course, a nice littleJay-Zcameo on "Never Take Me Alive." (Despite the next wave's best intentions, the Roc will never be the same without Jigga.) The Gunz may have a decent delivery, but the beats and lyrics leave something to be desired. We already know what the past looks like. If you truly arethe futureyou've got to give us something new.--Rebecca Levine