Lil Boosie
Super Bad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz
Trill Ent/Asylum

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Beats: XL
Lyrics: L
Originality: L

Based on his recent legal troubles (battery and bribery charges, marijuana and weapons possession, and a possible murder plot), it’s clear to see why Lil Boosie is known as a Bad Azz. Fortunately, when it comes to the Baton Rouge rapper’s music it’s all good. His latest disc, Super Bad: The Return of Boosie Bad Azz, displays the best of both worlds.

Boosie teams up with Lil’ Phat and Lil’ Trill for the Runners-produced “My Avenue” and breaks down the gruesome realities of the streets on the pessimistic “No Mercy.” Flanked by Young Jeezy and Webbie on the hypnotic “Better Believe It,” the cocky MC boasts, “Ladies and gentlemen it’s Boosie Boo/King of Louisiana, I been the truth/If you don’t know, better ask somebody/I am the show and the after party.”

Boosie balances out his bravado with a few rare moments of introspection and affection. The guitar-laced “Pain” finds Boo opening up about the loss of his father, before venting about the downsides of fame on the paranoid “Mind of a Maniac.” On the flipside, Boosie takes a moment to entice the ladies with the Bobby V-guested “Who Can Love U” and his Trina duet “Miss Kissin’ On You.” Fans of the misogynistic mic wielder’s past hits need not fret about their hero going soft as he makes it clear that his money over hoes manifesto is still intact on the aptly titled “I’m a Dog.”

Aside from a few repetitive hooks (“Lawd Have Mercy” and “Levi’s”) and played out floss and flare (“Bank Roll” and “Crayola”), Boosie serves up a passionate collection of trill tracks. It’s a welcome return to form for the Bad Azz that winds up being super good. —Anslem Samuel

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