REVIEW: Jim Jones Presents Webstar, The Rooftop

Jim Jones Presents Webstar
The Rooftop
Scrilla Hill/E1

Beats: L
Lyrics: L
Originality: M

When DJ Webstar burst on the scene in 2006 with his breakout single “Chicken Noodle Soup,” featuring Young B., most thought the Harlem club promoter/producer was nothing more than a one-hit wonder. Set on proving the haters wrong, the 22-year-old phenom traded in his soda on the side for something that’ll really make him go pop—Jim Jones. With Capo serving as his executive producer, Webstar introduces listeners to The Rooftop.

In a nod to his Uptown forefathers, Webstar enlists hip-hop O.G.’s Brucie B, Ron G and DJ S&S to serve as hosts for his coming out party. The AutoTune-fueled lead single “Dancin’ on Me,” featuring Jones, Juelz Santana and Remo, sets the pace for the album, as hypnotic beats and bottle poppin’ posturing dominate. In fact, “She Can Get It” and “Bring It Over Here” retread the same hot-girl-in-the-club territory. On the latter, Web lazily quips, “Yeah, you could bring it over here/I got a mic in my pants, you could sing it over here.”

Light on lyrical depth, Web’s saving grace is catchy hooks. Despite the dated subject matter and concepts, ultra-trendy tracks like “O.M.G.” and “Follow Me On Twitter” still have the potential for crossover appeal. Aside from the tender “Take You Down,” the Harlem night’s sophomore set is mostly party and bullshit, which is ultimately both a good and bad thing. Webstar may have gone to The Rooftop but he still doesn’t offer a better view. —Anslem Samuel