There's something to be said for playing to core audiences -- it's made tons for your Kenny Gs, Luther Vandrosses, etc. MP The Last Don is an album for niggas. Unapologetically, without fear of censure or interest in approval. The lyrics are simplistic, the production mostly monotone and plain, the whole thing lacks artistic distinction as a piece of hip hop.

But look at it another way for a second. Turn up the stereo really loud, turn the bass all the way up, and hear that "UUUUUUNGH!" resonate from your speakers. Turn off the higher portions of your brain and listen from that almost reptillian core near the base of the cerebral cortex. This album moves you. It is so enthusiastically targeted at niggaz who have nothing to lose, black men in Chuck Taylors with nothing to look forward to, that its almost anthemic.

With that in mind, it's possible to look at this album two ways: artistically and by way of impact. It's repetitive to have "Thug Girl" on the red disc when the much more mobile "Gangsta B*****" is on the blue. Mystikal is the only person on this album (sorry Mia X, you didn't rip it like on your solo joint) with a distinctive style. Snoop even sounds nervous, like a rookie again, not a vet.

Then again, seventy percent of the cuts get your shoulders bouncing, hips gyratin' and all that. "Hot Boys and Girls" is a guaranteed party starter, along with "Make 'Em Say Uhh #2." The interludes "The Last Don" and "Rock A Bye Haters" will have you tossin' your local sign in tribute to "the bad guy."

In the long run it's all a means to and end. Two movies under his belt with more to come, record enterprises are alive and well, a sports management firm and clothing line manifesting, the robber baron dreams of a ghetto-ass G named P manifest in real life. In the end, why player hate? Participate! A bunch of brothers and sisters are making legal money instead of killin' and dealin' under the drive of one man. No Limit Records know they ain't hip hop classics and serve lowest common denominator minds. Obviously, there's still a place for that in our evil world.