Still Da Baddest [PA]

Performer: Trina
Artist: Killer Mike; Keyshia Cole; Missy Elliott; Shonie; Pitbull; Qwote; Rick Ross
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: The fourth album by hip-hop artist Trina continues the Miami native's mission of stripped-down Southern rap with a lascivious twist from a female perspective. With guests that include Missy Elliott, Keyshia Cole, and Pitbull, as well as newcomers Qwote and Shonie, STILL DA BADDEST has no shortage of energy, but it's Trina's attitude and no-holds-barred delivery that carry the show. The lead-off single, "Single Again," is one of the standouts, as is the title track and "I Got a Bottle," on which Trina is joined by Missy Elliott. After Trina's debut album, Da Baddest Bitch, went Gold, it was a steady decline for the brash, sex-charged rapper, at least sales-wise. Her sophomore release, Diamond Princess, just missed the mark and then the slick, star-studded Glamorest Life fell flat, even though it included the hit single "Here We Go." In an effort to turn things around, her fourth release, Still Da Baddest, references her debut with its title, does a good job capturing that first album's raw edge with a modern twist, and tries hard to duplicate "Here We Go" with mixed results. With its stately J-Roc production, the radio-friendly, "go girl" anthem "Single Again" succeeds splendidly. On the other hand, "I Got a Thing for You" and "Wish I Never Met You" are the soft, polished tracks that fail, sounding like manufactured "Here We Go" clones and dragging down what would otherwise be an entirely successful full-length. Get past those contrived clunkers and there's the wonderfully crooked "Look Back at Me" which combines sleazy lyrics with screwed and chopped vocals to make it one of the freakiest numbers in the Trina catalog. The rave-up "I Got a Bottle" is the total party with Trina playfully imitating David Banner while her guest Missy remains the always kicking Missy. Making his second appearance on a Trina album is Rick Ross, who helps make the closing "Hot Commodity" a track as vibrant and bright as the duo's hometown of Miami. Trina's lyrics remain tough and way beyond naughty and she has a newfound love of her somewhat unsettling, Woody Woodpecker style laugh which is liberally dropped throughout the album. It's the abundance of these brassy, "love me or hate me" moments that make Still Da Baddest a step in the right direction and one of her better efforts, even with the woefully uninspired ballads. ~ David Jeffries

The Wire (p.63) - "BADDEST is a good and difficult and three-dimensional listen because her motives just aren't placeable and when they are, they wade in contradiction." Vibe (p.72) - "STILL DA BADDEST mixes empowerment anthems, strip-club scorchers and R&B ballads."

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