Ruff Ryders - Ryde or Die, Vol. 2 (CD)

All Music Guide

Though the stable of rappers on the second Ryde or Die volume make it a diverse album of many rapping styles, the patented Ruff Ryders-style of production makes it a surprisingly consistent listen. Once again, producer Swizz Beatz steals the spotlight with his garish synth-powered rhythms, while the other producers -- TJ Beatz, P. Killer Trackz, Teflon, and Mahogany -- do their best to emulate his signature style. There are moments when the music overshadows the rappers, reaffirming the reasons why Swizz Beatz became such a renowned producer ("Holiday" and "2 Tears in a Bucket," in particular, come to mind), and there are moments when his fellow producers lay down equally stunning soundscapes, particularly "Weed, Hoes, Dough" and "Got It All" by Teflon and "Go Head" by TJ Beatz. Yet there are also moments when Beatz' music almost goes too far with its excessive synth use; the same sort of prominent synth stab riff that propelled "Party Up" from DMX's And Then There Was X album to club ...anthem status appears on "WWIII" and "Friday Night," balancing the fine line between genius and gaudiness. In addition to the noteworthy production on the album, there is also some stunning rapping by the album's superstars -- Method Man ("2 Years in a Bucket"), Snoop Dogg ("WWIII"), and Busta Rhymes ("Friday Night") along with some impressive performances by up-and-coming rappers in the Ruff Ryders stable -- Drag-On's "Weed, Hoes, Dough" and Jadakiss' "My Name is Kiss." There are a few disappointing moments such as DMX's mediocre "The Great," the awkward chorus in "Friday Night," and the questionable synth gaudiness, but these moments are rare, making this a well-rounded collection of talented rappers backed by some of the most ambitious rap productions of 2000. - Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide Read more Less