Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live [PA] (CD - 2006)

Lil Scrappy was already a certified Dirty South superstar (having come up strong under the tutelage of Crunk virtuoso Lil Jon, and recorded alongside fellow Atlanta acts like Trillville) before he signed to 50 Cent's G-Unit South label. His first album for the budding sub-label, BRED 2 DIE BORN 2 LIVE, represents a maturation of sorts for Scrap. Lyrically he's in the same place he's always been, recounting street-hustle scenarios, wallowing in glock-toting gangsta paranoia, and triumphantly celebrating his material excess; while on the production end, the album offers a mix of down south styles. Yet BORN 2 DIE BORN 2 LIVE is executive produced by Lil Jon and 50 Cent, and its beats incorporate both artists contrasting styles. Ranging from the grimy roots of the Dirty South sound as first introduced by Three 6 Mafia, to Lil Jon's own brand of club-friendly neck-snapping Crunk, to the cinematic sound that permeates most G-Unit releases, the album successfully covers nearly every early-2000s gangsta production style. And Scrap makes the most of them all.

For his first true solo album, Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live, Lil Scrappy works not only with Lil Jon, who'd produced him previously, but also with 50 Cent, who is listed as co-executive producer. There are surprisingly few G-Unit features on Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live, though, as 50 himself only raps on one song, "Nigga, What's Up," while Young Buck and Olivia are featured on "Money in the Bank (Remix)" and "G-Shit," respectively. On the other hand, Lil Jon leaves a noticeable impression, producing several of the album's best songs, including the raucous lead single, "Gangsta, Gangsta," and the unlisted bonus track, featuring E-40. Other highlights are productions by Eminem ("Lord Have Mercy"), Three 6 Mafia ("Posted in the Club"), and Jazze Pha ("Touching Everything"). Lil Scrappy hasn't mellowed out too much since his debut two years prior, but on a few songs, namely "Livin in the Projects" and "Lord Have Mercy," he reveals a thoughtful, heartfelt side of his persona. These moments are refreshing amid all of the crunk. They're also glimmers of maturity that bode well for Scrappy's future. Granted, his rhymes aren't as dexterous or complex as one might hope, but Scrappy is undoubtedly a gifted young man with a good head on his shoulders. It's exciting to hear this prospective superstar grow into his own on Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live, which is a respectable step forward from his 2004 split album with Trillville. ~ Jason Birchmeier minimize