Release Therapy

Over a vintage Billy Paul sample, Luda refuses to be the rope-a-dope. The seriousness of 'Runaway Love', which features soul sis Mary J. Blige on the hook, is a testament to Ludacris' mission to be more than a party man. From speaking out against a young girl being beat-down by her drunk stepfather to detailing the blight of teens fleeing their homes in the night to escape the pain, 'Runaway Love' is a milestone.

On the powerful track 'Do Your Time', Luda transports the listener to the sorrow of life behind bars. Though Luda has never done hard time himself (he does admit to a few juvenile mistakes), collaborators Bennie Segal, C-Murda and Pimp-C are a trio of wordsmith who know that the scene ain't pretty. Teaming-up with old friends the Neptunes on the first single 'Money Maker' the rapper couldn't have been happier. Unlike the aforementioned tracks, this hypnotic booty bumper is classic dance song that speaks frankly about sex. In addition, the spacey production duo also contributed 'Girls Gone Wild', which utilises a sleek futurist groove and heavy percussion.

Having gathered a dazzling crew of collaborators on 'Release Therapy', Ludacris releases his inner wild child alongside R. Kelly on 'Woozy' and brings the country hotness on 'Ultimate Satisfaction' with Field Mob. Unafraid of the Black heavy metalist inside of him, Luda reveals his inner rock god on the Runners produced song 'Slap'. Talking about the madness and aggravation of just trying to make it through the workday, Ludacris sounds on the verge of exploding. With 'Release Therapy', Ludacris releases a classic disc that rises to the top of the hip-hop heap. Yes, this is what rap music has been waiting for since the beginning of the millennium.