Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz - Put Yo Hood Up (CD)

All Music Guide

For Put Yo Hood Up, Lil Jon moves further in the direction he experienced substantial success with on the late-'90s Southern club anthem "Who You Wit." The Dirty South beats keep the subwoofers thumping, and the countless call-and-response vocal hooks ensure this album's place in the clubs. In fact, Jon almost sticks to his formula too well here. Thanks to his years as a DJ and also working for So So Def, the Atlanta-based artist knows how to get the club crunk, and he never steers too far from the sort of rowdy, energetic music that has become such a Southern staple. The big tracks on this album are "Bia', Bia'," which features a can't-miss lineup of superstar guests -- Ludacris, Too Short, Chyna Whyte, and Big Kap -- and also the title track, a bona fide "represent yo hood"-themed successor to "Who You Wit." The collaboration with Eightball MJG, "Can't Stop Pimpin," isn't a far departure from that duo's more club-oriented offerings, while "Heads Off (My Nias)" is quite a departure f...or Jon, as he recruits New York rappers M.O.P., a truly unlikely pairing that is interesting if not effective. Furthermore, the album also features guest appearances by Three 6 Mafia, Gangsta Boo, and Khujo of Goodie Mob. As always, Jon crafts his own beats and gives his Eastside Boyz plenty of time to shine on the mic. Overall, there aren't many surprises; Jon knows how to tear the club up and he sticks to what he knows best here. Far from a chill-out record, Put Yo Hood Up may be a bit too exhausting for some listeners with its exuberance, but should surely please anyone with a taste for the sort of club-oriented call-and-response anthems the South is known for. - Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide Read more Less