Atlanta A-list producer Jermaine Dupri releases his first So So Def album through Virgin since he became Virgin Records Urban Music President back in January.
Which means?
Since his discovery and nurturing of knee-high-to-a-grasshopper duo Kriss Kross back in the early '90s, Dupri has retained a healthy interest in the teen scene. A performer in his own right, he made the pertinent point that the kids are going to be more interested in what their peers spit down a mike than what a now-thirtysomething like him does. So here he hypes, amongst others, Young Capone, Pastor Troy and Miss B.F Torica.
Is it much cop?
Yo yo yo. And no no no.
How many good tracks?
Six. Out of 11. Despite JD's faith in youth, it’s the old hand on the album, Dupri himself, who offers most of its more fly and flash moments. The so-good-you-don't-mind-the-fact-it's-so-repetitive Dem Franchise Boyz remix of 'I Think They Like Me' featuring JD with Da Brat, Bow Wow and the Kid Slim is the strongest track on the album. T.Waters 'Throw'd Off' recalling Missy and Bubba with the Timbaland-style production comes a close second.
And the worst?
’Kodak Moment’. In the age of the digital camera, this is crying out to be deleted from memory.
Biggest disappointment?
The Guardian labelled Dupri "the cleanest man in the dirty south" following his continuing collaborations with so-sweet-she-makes-you-sick Mariah Carey. His production on this album could do with a touch more grime too.
Verdict:
The album would work best as a solo album with the newbies, with the exception of T. Waters, guesting on Dupri numbers rather than taking the lead prematurely. As it is, Young, Fly & Flashy Vol. 1 is neither fish nor fowl. Hopefully, such deficiencies can be ironed out by the time work starts on Vol. 2.

(3/5)

Release Date: 26 September 2005

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Young, Fly & Flashy Vol. 1