Diddy: ‘Press Play’
Diddy
Press Play
Rating: 1.5/5
Tracks to download: “After Love,” “Wanna Move”
For fans of: Young Joc, Timbaland, and other hip hop that is played on MTV
Diddy’s persona is possibly the most intriguing aspect of his new album, “Press Play.” Diddy, a.k.a. P. Diddy, a.k.a. Puff Daddy, is one of hip hop’s most recognizable figures. Unfortunately, his numerous successes in the hip hop industry do not help him produce a coherent or particularly engaging album.
“Press Play” attempts to be a record with cutting edge production. Diddy enlists some of hip hop’s most successful producers including Timbaland, Kanye West and The Neptunes to help achieve this goal. Unfortunately, the results are not spectacular. The production offers little inventiveness, and over the course of 19 songs becomes a bit repetitive and mundane.
Even though the production is mediocre, some of the tracks are great variations on popular hip-hop. “Come to Me,” produced by Young Lord, has a pulsating beat that challenges the listener to dance. “Hold Up” is a dark but danceable production that creates a distinct atmosphere. One of the highlights of the album is “After Love” produced by Timbaland. Supported by stellar production, the highlight of the song is the singer Keri, who passionately sings about the aftermath of a relationship gone sour. Unlike most of the songs on the album, “After Love” is thoughtful and engaging.
Diddy’s biggest shortcoming is that he is not a good rapper. His flow is indistinct, and he pronounces words in a truncated way that hinders them from sounding lyrical. “Wanna Move” featuring Big Boi of OutKast – one of the most talented rappers in hip hop – highlights Diddy’s poor rapping abilities. Diddy seems like an amateur compared to the lyrical prowess of Big Boi. Moreover, he rarely has anything new or creative to say. His rhymes become stale and boring before the first half of the album is over. The production also begins to feel repetitive during the second half of the record.
Diddy’s new album, “Press Play,” is bogged down by mediocre production and a sub-par lyricist. Some of the tracks are engaging, but overall the record is listless and dull. The album’s length, at 19 tracks, makes it feel interminable by the end.
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