Lil Rob - Gangster Classics (CD)

All Music Guide

It took him a while, but Lil Rob enjoyed his first taste of national crossover success in 2005 with "Summer Nights," a song from his Twelve Eighteen, Pt. 1 album. This footinthedoor hit inspired Low Profile Records to round up some old material from its vault for a cashin compilation, Gangster Classics. The title isn't exactly accurate, though. Sure, these songs are gangsta, but they're far from classic. In fact, as the little frontcover blurb explains (or perhaps, forewarns), ten of the 13 "classics" here are previously unreleased. The twisted logic of the whole unreleasedclassic bit aside, this is vintage Lil Rob. Fans of the rapper will no doubt like what's here, and collectors will want this for sure. But a proper bestof would have been more appropriate. Granted, Familia Records released one, titled Greatest Hits, back in 2003. That was a deeply flawed release, however, with its "nonstop" approach. Lil Rob deserves better, and until he gets better, it's best to stick with his prope...r album releases. Gangster Classics makes for a nice complement to those albums nothing more, nothing less. - Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide Read more Less