Young Gunz - Tough Luv (CD)

All Music Guide

RocAFella have high hopes for Young Gunz. They gave the Philadelphia duo top billing on the second State Property compilation, and that move paid off: “Can't Stop Won't Stop" hit the Top Ten of the rap track chart, and the accompanying video was in constant rotation on M2 and BET for at least two months. The Roc rolled the success of that track right into the first proper single from Tough Luv, “No Better Luv." Smoother in tone but no less lyrically challenged (“Give me the sex then I'm tired of y'all/So find the next to provide for y'all"), it was a bid to build the duo's female fanbase. It worked, too. MCs Young Chris and Neef claim to be the future of their label, in the wake of JayZ's supposed retirement, but they'll have to take their spot in line behind several others despite a small clutch of highperforming single material (all of which owe much to the production work), the two are, at best, third or fourth stringers. Though they strive for something deeper, the album isn't muc...h beyond a decent party record, and a good percentage of the lyrics leave a lot to be desired. They're caught up, too willing to rely on their associations. However, let's not forget that Young Gunz' low stature within RocAFella says more about the depth of the label's roster than anything else. - Andy Kellman, All Music Guide Read more Less