Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood

Executive produced by T.I. and featuring tracks from Cool & Dre, Mannie Fresh, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, and Scott Storch, Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood is a comeback album of sorts, one that reminds the mainstream hip-hop world that B.G. was once right up there with his Hot Boys cohorts Lil Wayne and Juvenile. The title is no lie as B.G.’s whiny style is designed for the streets, but everything old is new again as Mannie Fresh proves once again he’s one of the few producers who can bring the rapper crossover potential. Their collaborative cut “My Hood” is the hook-filled and memorable number B.G.’s post-Cash Money career has been missing, but with the T.I. and Scott Storch trunk-rumbler “4 a Minute” appearing late in the fourth quarter, the album has two radio-worthy numbers, good cause for the Louisiana faithful to celebrate. If the three gutsy takeover tracks that kick off the album never end up on radio’s playlist, they’re the kind of hard-hitting stuff B.G. fans crave, and when the two missing members show up for “Ya Heard Me,” the Cool & Dre-produced cut becomes another Hot Boys reunion worth hearing. It’s overstuffed, but after just a little trimming, Too Hood 2 Be Hollywood turns out to be one of B.G.’s stronger full-lengths. – David Jeffries