Webbie Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
In 2008, putting a "2" on the cover of your album meant little in the world of hip-hop. The implication that it meant "sequel" had been abused by a long line of albums where "2" just meant "we hope it sells as much as the first." Webbie's follow-up to the first, very successful Savage Life should have dropped the numeral altogether because here the rapper sounds much sharper and significantly more mature. His mouth is still foul, his ego is still huge, and his allegiance to the game -- plus all the misogyny that comes with it -- is still strong, but there's little doubt that Webbie wants more than just hit singles. In an effort to balance the album, the usual hooky club tracks like the horribly infectious "Independent" mix with deeper, more ambitious numbers like "Just Like This" where the paradox of hood stardom is explored. On one hand there's the sleeping with beautiful women and the stacks of money. On the other there's the shotgun under the bed and the mean streets to which millionaire Webbie must remain connected in order to stay credible. While a top-shelf MC could add insight and answers, Webbie is at least able to offer vivid, eye-level views of his situation now that he's upped his lyrical game. Executive producers Turk and Mel waste none of this progress and enlist an A-list set of guest stars -- Bun B, Rick Ross, and the late Pimp C, just to name a few -- plus beatmakers with Mannie Fresh and B-Real supplementing the work of the Trill label's own Mouse on tha Track. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Webbie places in the Top Ten cockiest Dirty South rappers of all time and in the Top 20 when it comes to filthiness, but his confidence is genuine and his verbal skills are quick and whimsical if not witty in an ashamed-to-admit-it way. He's love 'em or hate 'em, take it or leave it, and according to the man himself, "Full of Dat Shit." If 50 Cent is Playboy, Webbie is Hustler and parents should dig through junior's closet and remove any of his material immediately. If you haven't figured it out already, Savage Life isn't the deepest album and Webbie's rhymes aren't cerebral, but rarely are such degenerate, horny roughhousers able to collect so many distasteful but catchy party tracks on one album. It's overstuffed for sure and best taken in halves, but the hooks are strong and if Webbie's style isn't offensive to you from the get-go, you'll be surprised at how well and how long he can hold your attention. Since "I can't say that I love you/but you ain't just another ho/I kinda got feelings for ya" is the highest accolade he can pay a woman, it's obvious this is this a male thug's album. It's this misogynist, hellbound-for-destruction thug's fiery combination of volatility and recklessness that makes the album tracks fascinating like a traffic accident, while the singles are sleazy party tunes straight from the gutter. The creeping "Gutta Bitch" being the exception, the highlights on the album display just how few new ideas Webbie has -- they're titled "Like That," "Give Me That," and "I Got That" -- but as with any 2 Live Crew album, you don't come here for innovation. The beats are simple and stark, which is a smart move since Webbie is wordy and always jabbering. Separating the "artist" from the "art" is going to be the main issue for anyone with a hint of moral fiber. If you can do that, Savage Life is entertaining and good for a lost weekend or two. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
