You can throw shade as much as you want, but self proclaimed ‘real’ rapper, Plies seems to not be falling off anytime soon. Although he may not get embraced in every market, Florida’s resident goon continues to keep the streets buzzing in the South with his third album in less than two years, Da REAList (Slip-N-Slide).
Similarly to The Real Testament and The Definition Of Real, his latest effort lacks actual lyrical ability; however he still manages to produce hit tracks as well as continue to feature big named collaborations.
One surefire way to pilot an album off the ground on a high note is with a mellow ladies track. The album’s leading track “Put It On Ya” featuring R&B singer Chris J does just that. Other female friendly tracks include “Street Light” produced by Midnight Black and Sean Garret, the up-tempo “Spend The Night”, and “Want It, Need It” featuring R&B songstress Ashanti. But don’t confuse the album as an official dedication to the opposite sex as he keeps the theme of staying nothing short of ‘real’ on the forefront.
His lyrical ability or lack thereof comes into question with his more brute tracks like the opener “Me & My Goons” and “F*** U Gon Do Bout It”. Infused with gun talk and foul play, the base heavy rhythm popularized by Southern Rap still somehow manages to have the ability to be club worthy hits; particularly the latter.
Boastful tracks like “Plenty Money”, “Heard Of Me” and “I Chase Paper” set the stage for Plies to swank about what being a ‘Real Goon’ has afforded him in his short yet seemingly effortless career.
Others songs like “Make A Movie” produced by Mannie Fresh, “All Black”, and “Co-Defendant” carry the same themes of debauchery while the remaining tracks on the album actually features a more positive message in the Fort Myers Native’s own approach.
“Gotta Be”, “Family Straight”, and “2nd Chance” all feature underlying positive subject matters of empowerment and struggles he continues to overcome in his personal life. “Family Straight” focuses on the struggle within his own family that he confesses even money can’t fix. And lastly the album’s second single “Pants Hang Low” produced by Mannie Fresh, is a testament to the newly passed ‘pants ban’ in many Southern cities.
While Da REAList will not be likely to chart as one of the best albums of 2008, Plies’ impact is still evident in his ability to sell substantial amounts of albums while still attracting the attention of some of music’s resident hit makers. His dedication to staying real is proving to be of worth to his livelihood as a rapper.
Plies Featuring Chris J
“Put It On Ya”
Plies
“Me & My Goons”