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

With a spectrum that runs from irresponsible gun talk to irresponsible sex talk, Plies is never accused of being the most versatile rapper. Add unimaginative album titles that always work in some form of the word "Real", plus a crazy release schedule that's seen three official full-lengths in just 16 months, and there's every reason to believe Da Realist is a take the money and run release from a gutter rapper exploiting his leap into fame. Going in a completely unexpected direction, the album actually expands the Plies universe a bit with some decent political commentary such as the damning of mandatory sentences on the inspired "2nd Chance." Production takes a bold step forward on the extremely sparse highlight "All Black," while the whimsical "Spend the Night" -- where the newly relocated Plies seduces the ladies with real estate agent talk and a Cheshire cat smile -- is his brightest sounding track to date. The electronic, Prince-sounding snare on "Want It, Need It" is another clever idea, but the rest of the big moments come from places the rapper's been before, like the thug anthem "Make a Movie" with production from Mannie Fresh or the lightweight bedroom number "Put It on Ya" which for some horribly misguided reason, closes the album. With some minor problems, some minor advancement, and some major moments, Da Realist is an overall winner from a rapper who keeps beating the odds. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide