Ludacris

The mouth of the South’s last couple of discs have been a little self-serious (especially 2006’s high-concept Release Therapy). So it’s nice to see him back in his porn-dog, goofball safety zone, even if his seventh disc’s promising original concept ”“ Luda sex-rap battling against female MCs ”“ fell through when co-star Shawnna ditched his label. ”˜My Chick Bad’ big-ups a bitch who comes out “swinging like Tiger Woods’ wife,” and ”˜Hey Ho’ is a rigorous disputation on promiscuous women. Luda’s booming voice, liquid flow and drunk-as-hell club-thump beats make even his nastiest moments seem playful, but never harmless.

Key Tracks: ”˜My Chick Bad,’ ”˜Hey Ho’