Album Reviews

Album Reviews: Da REAList by Plies

If there's one department Plies ain't lacking in, it's bravado. The Southern rapper has just issued his third platter, Da REAList, which comes a mere six months after the summer release of his second effort, Definition of Real. Clearly, Plies has a "thing" for keepin' it real. Did the world really need another Plies album so soon? Plies apparently thinks so and chances are, he isn't wasting any time giving a fuck what anyone thinks about his decision to release two records in the span of a year, so the point is effectively moot. While many artists pay lip service to that axiom about "keepin' it real," Plies is living it, satisfying the appetites of his fans by continuing to release music. And isn't that all that really matters nowadays?

Surprisingly enough, Da REAList doesn't come off as a collection of throwaways or leftovers from its predecessor. Sean Garrett also assists in blunting some of Plies' verbal braggadocio and brute force with his smooth pipes. It's a smart move for the rapper; he retains all of his agitation and his street cred, but comes across as more accessible thanks to his guest stars. It's a yin-yang formula that should yield impressive dividends for this chest-puffing, chest-pounding rapper who has no apologies for his massive attitude. "Pants Hang Low" is a slice of Southern hip-hop at its finest and most refreshing. It's a bold jam that showcases Plies' larger-than-life persona, while "Heard of Me" is less of an announcement and more of a celebration of what he's accomplished and what he plans to get done in the here and the now.

Da REAList is another victory for Southern hip-hop. It may be a little too up in your grill for some people, but for those who feast on this genre, it's a gem.

— Amy Sciarretto
01.12.09