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Born To Reign by: Will Smith

Publisher: Columbia
Release date: 20th September, 2004
Media: Audio CD

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Track List

• Born to Reign
• Act Like You Know
• I Can't Stop
• Jaden's Interlude
• 1000 Kisses feat.Jada
• Willow Is A Player
• Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head) feat.TRA-KNOX
• How Da Beat Goes
• Block Party
• Give Me Tonite
• I Gotta Go Home
• Maybe
• Nod Ya Head (The Remix) feat.Christina Vidal and TRA-KNOX
• Momma Knows

Editorial Review

If Will Smith's last two albums made him the acceptable face of hip-hop, then Born to Reign is most definitely his rebellion against the pop-rap persona that he has willingly (how's that as a title for the next album) or unwillingly carried for the last few years. Don't get me wrong, there's no profanity or political message here but his delivery and production is far more aggressive than before causing the Prince to raise his voice and even shout on the odd occasion. The opener and title track sums up the new Willie--a crusading tirade on how righteous and good he is with a lyrical flow ironically (intentionally or not) in the style of his nemesis Eminem. But jiggy fans don't despair, there is at least one to get you "bouncin' wit it", a cover of Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much" called "1000 Kisses" is Will at his finger popping, bubble-gum best. Other familiar territory comes in the shape of "Jaden's Interlude", not quite like many of the skits you get from other artists but far more cutesy and you could play it to your mum with no fear of embarrassment. Last but not least, amidst the commercial G-funk and breezy summer pop hits, there's the customary tune from one of his movies, this time it's the in-yer-face funk-rock of "Black Suits Comin'" from MiB2. Despite efforts for a rougher edge, Born to Reign is still extremely accessible and, though unlikely to win him a credible nod from the streets, it shouldn't discourage his army of loyal supporters. --David Trueman

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Average rating -

Rating: - born to reign

good cd sum go song but i didnt all of them but arrived on time and new which i liked but the songs r growin on me

Rating: - brilliant!

simply..truly brilliant... if you like a good RnB&Hiphop then go for it, 1000kisses & how tha beat goes on get you jumping, the rest a truly great combination, jadens interlude being, as my girlfriend says, cute! great cd to drive down the motorway to, GO GET IT!

Rating: - This is good!!!

The Fresh Prince, though, remains a fascinating niche unto himself, a lone rapper who brags about his lack of profanity, a guy who continues to get older while his audience stays the same age. He's the master, if not the progenitor, of the cheesy, summer-movie accompanying anthem; his albums of the '90s were built beat-by-beat with them and even without them (see "Get Jiggy with It"). No surprise, then, that there's plenty of the same on Born to Reign: "Block Party" updates his classic "Summertime" to a 112-like R&B jam; "Maybe" does the "Thanks for the Memories" bit of "Just the Two of Us"; and Men in Black II's theme song, "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Your Head)," gets two treatments, the rock-oriented original and a J.Lo-style remix.

Once you rid yourself of any pretense of "art" here, Reign settles in well as a fine piece of guilty pleasure pop, certainly the best thing Smith has done in years. Rid of the reliance on cheap samples that demeaned previous efforts, here he's got sharp, modern beats, and the backup harmonies by trio Tre-Knox (which sounds like a cross between Sisqo and R. Kelly) allow his songs a more melodic bent. This is certainly the most diverse record he's made: "Willow Is a Player" mixes a reggae vocal flow with a stuttering, Timbaland-style beat; "I Can't Stop" sounds like DMX attempting salsa; and wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, should surprise just about everyone on the fun disco tune "1,000 Kisses." It's escapist fare that won't leave any lasting memory except for good times -- and isn't that what summer is all about?

Rating: - Different Beat

Very different to Big Willie Style and Willenium, more heavier bass beats and more head bopping tunes than his previous album. With some laid back songs, still with new beats and catchy lyrics. 'Act Like You Know' is a very cool song, with a very jiggy beat, songs introducing r'n'b artist tra-knox. Also check out the tracks 'nod ya head (the remix)' and 'how da beat goes' these are amazing songs! I was impressed with this album but Jaden's interlude i found quite boring and the song to follow it '1,000 kisses' but definately worth buying!!!!

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