Pray IV Reign

The three years between and saw a slew of releases -- mixtapes, Christmas EPs, plus LPs with his crew -- but there's little doubt that this is the proper follow-up to the album that gave the world the massive hit One listen to the epic intro and it's obvious it also aims higher artistically, influenced by the passing of member , beefs with members of the crew, plus the creation of the man's off-Broadway production, . is basically the soundtrack to but it stands alone just fine, successfully mixing straight-up club anthems like with much deeper numbers. is mourned on the moving which features the perfectly aside "I hope there's a Harlem in Heaven." A question mark must have been dropped off the title of as the rapper's unsure "There's no regrets in life/How's that sound?" rides over the background singers' hook of "Is there a Heaven for us?" Since it's directed at his son ("A miracle on Flatbush Avenue/I still made it back to say 'Push!' when she was havin' you"), doesn't question these contrasts and presents them as the cold hard facts of life. It's affiliate who really lays it on the line during offering "Had to be a felon/Hated bein' pauper/Read the book of life/Satan was the author." Even with special guest on the cut, also wins on key track and as addresses ' volatile relationships with , the grand victory of becomes how well it shakes the past and presents the current crew as true players. Success has always been ' revenge, and while his ringleader ways allow this autobiographical album to sometimes go wildly off concept, it's clearly his most inspired set of songs to date. ~ David Jeffries