When it comes to Diddy and making albums we know several
things: One, he loves to rap around a concept (relationships and heartbreak, usually).
Pretension is normality for Mr. Combs, but that is not saying that the album is
bad; it just means that his ego and self-importance seems a little bloated?
Cost is not a problem; I mean, he has all of that dirty money. Many different artists come to join Diddy on this ride
and make it a good time for everybody. The first song may as well have your “A**
on the Floor” with those heavenly harmonies, and those swizz beatz? Oooh! A
song that seems to favor substance over style. “I'm here to tell you that this
is a brand new sound/This (this) will change your lives.” You can imagine that
Diddy would say something like that, but have Grace Jones proclaim it? “Yeah
Yeah You Would.” From the aggressive, yet addictive beat, which lightens up
during the chorus, to the dirty euro-synths there is a lot to love. The piano swishes
to the rhythm as the keys turn to the wheels moving this train, the beat is the steam, as she sings “I Hate
That You Love Me.” The
bluesy gospel in "Someone To Love Me"can score my search to find someone to love me, and while most
people don’t really appreciate his flow, I find it interesting in this song; my
favorite lines are in the second verse. The next song? I may “Hate You Now,” but
shortly I will probably end up humming the chorus, or playing that beat on
repeat in my head. Figures that Trey Songz will be featured on the most explicit
of songs about “Your Love,” and what may come of it with its climbing chorus,
and its synth breakdown before and during the line he proclaims “ The s*** I'm
doing won't be seen or done for lightyears.” It may be a slight exaggeration,
but this song rocks more than the bed. Lil Wayne gives a humorous monologue, JT
sings the chorus with James Fauntleroy and Bilal, and has his own verse in a
different style, as they all wear their “Shades.” The song dedicated to
Notorious B.I.G. and the “Angels” that surround most of us will remain one of
my favorites, not just for the emotion, but because Diddy’s vocals sound the
best when it comes to that chorus. Either it’s the fact that someone is rocking
timberlands on the dance floor, or those “Strobe Lights.” I am annoyed, but
oddly may come back to listen to it again in spite of my annoyance; like moths
to flame. You cannot have an album like
this without including Usher; who assists Diddy in “Looking For Love.” The next
song should have been a single, and been played much more than it was? “I Know.”
If Wiz Khalifa, Chris Brown, and Sevyn is present it has hit written all over
it. I’m “Loving You No More,” even if Drake is present; the emotion is lost. If
I had wanted a ringtone to greet me with “Hello Good Morning” this would be the
one. From the energy best protruded in the chorus to the verses by T.I. there
is no surprise that it would pump people up. “Last Night Part 2” sounds more
musically focused, as a whole, than the previous version; which did not sound
like Combs was really singing. If you told me that “Yesterday” Chris Brown
would be featured in this song as well I would not believe you, but considering
the lyrical context it is the right choice. I hear a “Change” in this song, so
much so that I think of Jonsi. Finally, the most memorable and successful
single off of the record closes it, and while it recaptures that horrible night
of Smalls’ death “And n***** got the nerve to blame you for it
And you know you woulda took the bullet if you saw it
But you felt it and still feel it
And money can't make up for it or conceal it” yet still is one of the most
uplifting songs because there is no feeling like “Coming Home.” My favorites
are: A** on the Floor, Yeah Yeah You Would,
I Hate That You Love Me, Someone To Love Me, Your Love, Angels, Strobe Lights,
I Know, Hello Good Morning, Change, and Coming Home.
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