When discussing southern Hip-Hop, Slim Thug names rarely comes up as an impact player, after a thorough listen to Boss Of All Bosses (Koch) he showcases that he is still in the game and back better than ever.
Starting the album strong by showing a more personal side, Slim Thug confesses, on the Devin the Dude assisted “I’m Back”, “They say the truth will hit so f*** it / I’m a go ahead and keep it 100 for the public / I dropped Already Platinum but it only sold gold / and n****** looking at me like I sold my soul / ‘cuz I’m rapping with P and not Mr. Lee / but when you on your grind / sometimes you can’t see.”
He conveys his message without complaining and coming off corny while addressing those who thought he sold out. Thugger made up for it in a big way on this album by having the legendary Mr. Lee to produce the majority of the album, eight of the thirteen tracks for a real nostalgic Houston sound.
An instant classic on the album is “Associates” directed at those so called friends; its soul grabbing guitar rifts back and hard hitting drums that will shake anything on 44’s. While the album’s first single “I Run” is very much hook driven, it doesn’t go too far left where he totally abandons his signature sound. Slim also recruits the always dependable Texas legends Scarface and U.G.K. Face goes in on “Hard” while Pimp and Bun put that extra Houston touch on “Leanin’.” The latter will definitely remind most of the magic of 2005’s “Still Tippin’.”
“Welcome To Houston” is a posse cut that should be a 3rd coast classic featuring Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Bun B, Paul Wall, Yung Redd, Lil’ Keke, Z-Ro, Mike D, Big Pokey, Rob G, Trae, Lil’ O, and Pimp C. Additionally “Thug” is a soon to be street anthem with its trunk rattling production match with a catchy sped up sample on the chorus.
Unfortunately Slim doesn’t pitch a perfect game. The very lackluster Mannie Fresh produced “Show Me Love” falls short compared to the other selections. Additionally “My B****” is too soft for the bluntly stated lyrics halting any continuity.
This album has the feel of rider music. Slim Thug comes back with a worthy offering and deserves some burn. Having Mr. Lee on board will definitely please his core fan base. Boss Of All Bosses isn’t any more lyrical than his debut Already Platinum, but it is more of an insight to who Slim Thug really is. And by the looks of it, he is still a boss; a more mature boss.
Slim Thug
“I Run”
Slim Thug Featuring U.G.K.
“Leanin'”