Major Without a Deal

A G-Unit or Diplomats-styled LP, Brooklyn rapper Troy Ave offers a loose debut with Major Without a Deal, an album that effortlessly jumps between the hardcore and the hilarious. Key track "Doo Doo" is certainly the latter, while G-Unit mainman 50 Cent is actually here for the brutal "Bang Bang" ("I'm gettin' money, you should do the same"). Another spiritual Godfather, Diplomats leader Cam'ron, lands on the opening "Quarter Million," while Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, and A$AP Ferg add to the star-filled guest list. In the end, the LP presents Troy as a punchline-dealing party gangsta who knows the power of a good hook. ~ David Jeffries