Spring Break
Nelly's Brass Knuckles is a knockout
Aaron Tessman
Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: Entertainment
10/23/08 - Since 2000, Nelly has been producing records, beginning with Country Grammarr. He has produced many solo top hit songs and albums. Brass Knuckles, the rapper's latest album, is filled with radio-friendly hip-hop. Featuring artists such as L.L. Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Usher, Fergie, Akon and Ashanti, the disc is filled with stardom.
The opening song on the compilation, a duet by Nelly and Rick Ross is called "U Ain't Him." The track comes out with a catchy tune (synthesizer is my best guess) and a driving force. The theme of the song is "gangstas," as evidenced by the line, "I know a gangsta when I see him, lil' buddy, and you ain't him… no, no, no… and you ain't him."
"Hold Up" is the next track and has Nelly rapping with L.L. Cool J and T.I. This track has sort of a mystical belly-dance sound to it.
Nelly's one solo track on the album is, appropriately titled "One and Only"- even though, the song itself is about a girl and not about him at all. He sings, "I need you, to need me. You were my worst mistake, girl, and that's why it's hard for me to keep my cool when I see you with him. Cuz I really wish that you were right here."
It may not look so impressive on paper, but, in reality, it is a heart-wrenching song with a slow rock feel. Nelly also states in "One and Only," that "They say, one man's trash is the next man's treasure. Where one finds pain the next might find pleasure." It's a pretty sincere statement.
Nelly and St. Lunatics sing the next song, "Chill," and it begins with a riddle… " Wha'chu tell a mo'er f***er with two black eyes? Nuthin'. You already didn't tell him twice." As one may guess, it is one of the more "bad-ass" songs on the record.
My personal favorite track on the album is "Party People," which features Fergie. It is very upbeat and energetic and the lyrics are said so quickly it sounds like the artists are on speed. I'm partial to this track because the music was excellent, on this track, and also, you get to hear Fergie cuss.
Nelly is currently not on tour but if you would like to see him in concert in the future you can check out gotickets.com/concert/nelly.
The opening song on the compilation, a duet by Nelly and Rick Ross is called "U Ain't Him." The track comes out with a catchy tune (synthesizer is my best guess) and a driving force. The theme of the song is "gangstas," as evidenced by the line, "I know a gangsta when I see him, lil' buddy, and you ain't him… no, no, no… and you ain't him."
"Hold Up" is the next track and has Nelly rapping with L.L. Cool J and T.I. This track has sort of a mystical belly-dance sound to it.
Nelly's one solo track on the album is, appropriately titled "One and Only"- even though, the song itself is about a girl and not about him at all. He sings, "I need you, to need me. You were my worst mistake, girl, and that's why it's hard for me to keep my cool when I see you with him. Cuz I really wish that you were right here."
It may not look so impressive on paper, but, in reality, it is a heart-wrenching song with a slow rock feel. Nelly also states in "One and Only," that "They say, one man's trash is the next man's treasure. Where one finds pain the next might find pleasure." It's a pretty sincere statement.
Nelly and St. Lunatics sing the next song, "Chill," and it begins with a riddle… " Wha'chu tell a mo'er f***er with two black eyes? Nuthin'. You already didn't tell him twice." As one may guess, it is one of the more "bad-ass" songs on the record.
My personal favorite track on the album is "Party People," which features Fergie. It is very upbeat and energetic and the lyrics are said so quickly it sounds like the artists are on speed. I'm partial to this track because the music was excellent, on this track, and also, you get to hear Fergie cuss.
Nelly is currently not on tour but if you would like to see him in concert in the future you can check out gotickets.com/concert/nelly.
