It's impressive that Nelly has stayed consistently relevant enough to release his fifth LP in a mere eight years. But upon skirting through BRASS KNUCKLES' relatively trim 13-song set, his ongoing commercial viability is abundantly clear. Remaining resolutely pop-friendly and resting on his sex appeal (while throwing in frequent reminders of hardened machismo), Nelly leaves no demographic unturned, not to mention high-profile cameos; Akon, Ashanti, R. Kelly, LL Cool J, Pharrell, Rick Ross, and T.I. are among the album's guest stars. But it's Chuck D.'s appearance on "Self Esteem" (with its catchy, if simplistic refrain of "I think I can/I know I can) that begins to shed a more complex light on the MC who once inspired a nation of clubs to get naked with "Hot In Here."
TRACK LISTING
1 U Ain't Him / Rick Ross 3:15
2 Hold Up / T.I. 3:48
3 La 4:23
4 Long Night 3:15
5 Lie / St. Lunatics 4:20
6 Party People / Fergie 3:58
7 Self-Esteem 3:37
8 Body on Me / Akon 3:29
9 Stepped on My J'Z / Ciara 5:03
10 Let It Go Lil' Mama / Pharrell 4:22
11 One and Only 4:19
12 Chill / St. Lunatics 5:42
13 Who F***s Wit Me / Avery Storm 4:08
14 Ucud Gedit / Gucci Mane 4:28
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