Thr33 Ringz [PA] (CD - 2008)

Arranger: T-Pain.

In the year since his number-one second album, EPIPHANY, the celebrated "Rappa Ternt Sanga" has all but solidified his spot as the most prolific guest hook-provider in the hip-hop/R&B world, outpacing both Lil Wayne and label boss Akon. On his bombastic third solo release, THR33 RINGZ, the Florida native does on his own what he does best on others' records, as he lets his unique vocal stylings run wild alongside an impressive guestlist of heavyhitters.

Utilizing the vocoder talk-box on virtually every track, T-Pain fluctuates between boastful posturing ("Ringleader Man"), tongue-in-cheek commentary on the trappings of the nightlife (the humorous "Chopped N Skrewed" and "It Ain't Me"), and seductive sweet nothings. On "Can't Believe It," he entices a prospective love-interest with claims that he "could put you in a log cabin somewhere in Aspen" or "in a mansion somewhere in Wis-canson." Kanye West, T.I., Chris Brown, Diddy, Mary J. Blige, and Ludacris are just a few of the big names on hand. minimize