Jim Jones: Pray IV Reign
6/10
Ex-Diplomats hypeman and tough talker, Jim Jones has done seemingly the impossible. He's come from under his boss and mentor and managed to carve his own niche, parlaying the fate of similar "right hand man" artist failures. However with all of his accomplishments, his 4th album "Pray IV Reign" is ultimately a disappointing album that does little to show his growth.
"Reign" is a bit heavier on the more mainstream side than the thug posturing of his earlier efforts, but Jim is more comfortable in this spot. "Pop Champagne" has run the charts for a while with its infectious hook and braggadocios claims of wealth, and the Ryan Leslie assisted "Precious" is strictly for the females and is classy without being corny.
Jones waxes nostalgic on tracks like "My, My, My" dedicated to slain rapper Stack Bundles, and "Let It Out", two of the strongest tracks on the disc, that will honestly surprise the most jaded Jim Jones nonbeliever.
While Jones' strength has never been his lyrical delivery, he usually has great production on his albums. "Reign" has half-baked and derivative production by Chink Santana and Ron Brownz (who should really know better). "How To Be A Boss" features Ludacris and Busta Rhymes over a Swizz Beatz soundalike track created by Brownz, "Frenemies" is ripped straight from Jay-Z's "A Week Ago" (Jay is ironically Jones' enemy on wax). The biggest offender of the album is the juvenile "Medicine" which manages to rip off (surprise surprise) "Jigga What, Jigga Who", and be lyrically terrible as well.
"Reign" sounds like an extended Byrdgang album, bookmarked by the many appearances by the (unimpressive) group on the album. "Reign" had good intentions, but maybe next time Jim should Pray for a more cohesive album.
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