Will Smith~ Lost and Found Review

LP: Lost and Found (2005)
Artist: Will Smith aka. Big Will on Record
Featured Artists: Snoop Dogg, Ludacris Producing, Mary J. Blige.

Will Smith has been one of top rappers during the late 80's. He created clean hits such as "Parents Just don't understand" and "Girls ain't nothing but trouble". His most memorable hit "Summertime" co-won a Grammy for best Rap Performance by a duo or Group. However, his most recent stints at a respectable album have been relative failures. Willenium(1999) and Born to Reign(2002) have both fizzled in record sales compared to the 9x Platinum hit Big Willie Style(1997).

This Year (2005) Will Smith has took some time off with his acting career to prove himself as a veteran rapper. For years the likes of Eminem and the media took shots and the Fresh Prince for his clean rhymes and nice guy attitude. The Fresh Prince created Lost and Found to put an end to his critics and put focus on the artistry of Rap.

Lost and Found departs from his "pop" type records to a maturer, hard-core feel. Although his record does not contain any explicit lyrics it does have an edgier feel towards some tracks. Although it remains to be seen how long he can last in the rap game, fans of Will Smith WILL definitely like the tune of Lost and Found.

Reviewing the Tracks (More important ones are more critically review).

1. Here he Comes- This song has instrumental of the classic Spiderman theme song. Will Smith being a fan of the comics seems to have influenced the choice of the track. This track clocks at 2:19 min which is a dissapointment considering most tracks havea playtime of 3:30-4 minutes. I felt kind of cheeted since Smith does this a few times on his album. Although the length is short, it does have an addictive feel. As the into track, Will Smith proves with his quick rhymes that he is definitely back in the game again. "I don't got a sitcom to bother with, Or a time conflict with my sci-fi hits" 9/10

2. Party Starter- (Ludacris produced this track) As soon as you hear this song you will instantly think Ludacris, however, Smith does it justice. This track is similar to his hit "Switch" however, contains more of a Hip Hop- Rap element. The focus of the track is to bring Hip Hop to a party genre and not about violence today. His lyrics help explain. " call for the days of the unadulterated, When the artistry was cultivated, You know, back when rap was smart and multilayered, We could rap without A&Rs& ultimatums (damn), Now today I could say I long for the days when the party was all aboutpartyin'" 8.5/10

3. Switch- This is Will Smith's Flagship tack. This song is all about partying on the dance floor. His smooth rhymes on this track are upbeat combined with an addictive instrumental. All you want to say during the chorus is Switch... Switch.... Switch.... The best part of the song comes when Will Smith reminds the listeners that he can dance because he was in the music industry before he was an actor. Many of you forget that at times. "I gotta question, I need to ask somebody Why is it that when y'all see me at the party Y'all be looking like, "Ooh, he a movie starHe ain't supposed to be out on the floor with everybody"But oh wait, whoa, y'all forgetting When I was, amateur spitting before the scripts were written First one in, last one out the club Bursting in, passing out in the club". This track will leave any dance floor wanting for an Encore. 9.5/10

4. Mr. Nice Guy- This track again is devoted to the haters of Will Smith. His list of Targets includes Eminem, Wendy Williams, and radio DJ's. Also he puts an end to the myth that nice guys are soft, because clearly on Lost and Found Will Smith has come out with his edgier lyrics. His lyrics doesn't seem very threatening because his lack of explicit lyrics. However, he does respond to his critics and ridicules them at the end with this quick rhyme.
"Ok, people dissing Will sat on a wall
People dissing Will had a great fall
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put none of their careers together again
You get it" - 8.5/10

5. Ms. Holy Roller - This song is questionable. Will Smith tried to show that freedom of speech is limited to yourself. You cannot tell others to believe in what you believe. The song has meaning, but has not business being on this album. At least Smith tried to make this song appreciable. - 6/10

6. Lost & Found - Arguably the best track on this album. It's original, a first form in which varieties arise. "Why should I sound like ya'll sound, that's what's wrong with the rap game now". This track focus' on the faults of what rap should be. It has the catchiest chorous of all of the tracks. It packs rhymes better than party starter and a jam that you can rock in you wheels. Until you hear this track you will not understand its quality. 10/10

7. Tell Me Why (feat. Mary J. Blige)- Will says its his best song since Summertime (Grammy Win). I think its ok. This song is based on the hate in the world. I don't really like this song. It sounds like Will is constipated throughout the whole song. - 5.5/10

8. I Wish I Made That / Swagga- This is a crazy beat, Smith Fans will like this beat. "Get back, I wish i would of made that, lean back i wish i made that... I wish i told the girls to drop it like its hot..." This jam pokes fun at what a true rapper is. Is it a gangster, thug and someone who is against the law? At the end he wraps up the track by gettin' his swagga back. - 8.5/10

9. Pump Ya Breaks (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Because this song has Snoop Feature, it's an automatic listen. This song is much more of a story tellin' of when you should pump your breaks. Meaning, when you should stop or calm down. The chrous isn't much but the verses are pretty slick. - 8.5/10

10. If U Can't Dance (Slide) (feat. Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls) - Another dance track for those who can't dance. - 6/10

11. Could U Love Me - Will explaining to his fan's would they love him if he was not famous. 7/10

12. Loretta- A track about Will's Stalker. 5/10

13. Wave Em Off -A party track (not dance). Think Party Up by DMX, Hot in Here- Nelly. A great car song. 8/10

14. Scary Story - A la Eminem Mockingbird. A story for Will's child. 6/10

15. Switch ...R&B Remix (feat. Robin Thicke) - Remix 8/10

16. Switch ...Reggae Remix (feat. Elephant Man) - Just a Remix, Switch fans will like, 8/10

Source of Lyrics: Azlyrics.com

First Blog

I am a new User to the Blogspot Craze, and tend to give my 2 cents as well. First of all I'll let everyone know what kind of Blog's I'll be creating. I tend to say what I know, and not about things I don't. So my list will include: Fantasy Baseball, pseudo-John Stewart Political Comedy, Video games, Movies, Music, ethics and student life.

My Upcoming Blog will be about Will Smith's New Album, "Lost and Found"-2005.
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