Souljaboytellem.com [PA] (CD - 2007)

Additional personnel: Arab, I-15.

Propelled by the staggering success of his infectious lead single, "Crank That," the 17-year-old Chicago MC known as Soulja Boy presents his debut album on Collipark Music, SOULJABOYTELLEM.COM. Largely self-produced (Mr. Collipark contributes a few beats), Soulja Boy's first full-length effort is stacked with neck-snapping drum-tracks, zooming synthesizers, and call-and-response hooks that follow "Crank That"'s formula for success. From "Snap and Roll" to "Let Me Get Em" to "Donk" to "Booty Meat," it's clear that Soulja's objective is to put out as many dance-craze anthems as the clubs can handle. Yet, the record's most distinctive departure, and perhaps best track, is "Soulja Girl"--an R&B-driven ballad featuring I-15.

In a year filled with quirky hip-hop party tunes, their accompanying dances, and the YouTube-fueled teen mania that would follow, Soulja Boy Tell Em's killer pop-rap single "Crank That" stood out from the crowd thanks to the charismatic showman at its center and his strange way with words. Produced by the 17-year-old Soulja Boy Tell Em himself, "Crank That" combines a steel drum hook with a fat-bottomed Mississippi beat, but it's the bizarre lyrics that matter most as questions like "Why me crank that Robocop?" sit next to nonsensical called-out dance instructions. Only a few of the tracks on Soulja Boy Tell Em's debut advocate a dance, but this formula of infectious hook, trunk-rumbling beat, and wonderfully dumb words is all the album knows. If it wasn't for the whiny guitar riff, "Snap and Roll" could easily be mistaken for "Crank That," while "Bapes" is more of the same at a slower tempo with Soulja Boy Tell Em wondering why haters get mad when he dons his Bathing Ape gear. It's only after the great "Report Card" ("Check out my report card/Looked at it, all F's/Took it the teacher/Said 'Throw some D's on it'") that the party drops off, which isn't just a testament to Soulja Boy Tell Em's unique skills but also to executive producer Mr. Collipark's great attitude towards the overall product. Collipark and his crew, the Package Store, handle production for a handful of numbers, Arab and Los Vegaz both helm a tune, but the rest is left to Soulja Boy Tell Em and the end result is a debut that feels like it was downloaded right off a Southern hood laptop. This solid party album should satisfy giggling Right On! readers with pin-ups in their locker, way too cool mash-up fans that carry gigabytes of club music in their pocket, and all the freaky party people in between. ~ David Jeffries minimize