Artist: Trick DaddyTitle: Thug Matrimony: Married To The StreetsRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Martin A. Berrios
With Miami on his back since 1998, Trick Daddy Dollars (He put the dollars in his pocket) has held down the MIA in a fashion that is only second to Uncle Luke. His heartfelt Thug Life testimonials (“Amerika,” “Thug Holiday”) have been synonymous with the poverty stricken neighborhoods that are often left neglected amongst the more lavish bikini clad South Beach areas. Additionally, he is able to also connect on a national level with his catchier songs (“Nann N####,” “Shut Up”) without compromising his Dirty South demeanor. Now on his fifth installment, Thug Matrimony: Married To The Streets, Trick proclaims his perpetual love to the streets. Unfortunately, at times this exchange of vows gets lost in the musical translation.
From the jump it is clear that Trick wants to make his presence felt. The album opens up on an aggressive tone with “F#####’Around.” Trick holds his own amongst southern upstarts Young Jeezy, Kase 1 and T.I.(peep the Lil’ Flip dis) over a heavy synthesized Chronic Chris production. The rowdiness is continued with the album’s first official single “Let’s Go.” Trick and Twista trade verses without overshadowing each other, while the crafty use of a classic Ozzy Osbourne guitar riff sample by production duo Unusual Suspects and an amped up hook from Lil’ John make a unique crunk rock blend.
Even amidst all the present company, T Double D also does his thing on the solo tip. On “Gangsta Livin’,” he paints a picture of how high the stakes have risen on the block. The hook makes everything connect: “This gangsta living/even dope dealing/oh how it’s changed/things getting strange/and dangerous/but that’s the way s### go.” In regards to subject matter, Trick doesn’t pigeonhole himself to just thugging and block hugging. He reminisces about growing up as a child with “These Are The Daze” and inspires the youth about making their dreams a reality on “I Wanna Sing,” proving Trick still loves the kids. Catering to the ladies on “Sugar (Gimme Some),” he hooks up with Cee-Lo and Ludacris to offer something to the opposite sex minus the skeet skeet and degradation. The light bass line and feel good nature of the track is reminiscent of Trick’s earlier hit “In The Wind.”
Thug Matrimony does falter a tad from some bland production and uninspired song ideas. The synthesized horn and light keys that Sanchez Holmes implements on the sexually graphic “J.O.D.D.”(Jump On Da D*ck”) sounds strikingly too close to Master P’s “Dem Jeans.” Also Trick could of chosen a Hip-hop harlot that was better suited for the collaboration other than the talent less KHIA. Additionally on “Ain’t A Thug,” Trick borrows and alters the hook from New Edition’s “If It Isn’t Love.” The remake comes across more like a parody you would receive from one your friends on a gag email.
With his latest release, Trick Daddy doesn’t necessarily show artistic growth, but consistency. Thug Matrimony holds true to the thug life he leads, with sprinkles of OG knowledge. The album is solid enough that he shouldn’t worry about not having signed a pre-nup.