Mercedes ain't a car, but she provides a smooth ride. The sexual appeal provided by her album cover might mislead you to think that her rear end is the only thing of appeal on this album. Fortunately her beats and lyrics go beyond the skin and will woo you, like they did me.

It would seem that Master P put much more effort into the production of this album than most others. As per the norm, a barrage of No Limit artists make their appearance on the album helping Mercedes make her debut a success. Her style successfully jumps from hard rap, dance, slow jams and soulful R&B. She is one of the most dynamic female No Limit artist that I've heard yet, but she doesn't surpass Mia X's gangsta style lyricism.

I was really impressed with this album. It's unusual to find a No Limit album that has more than three good songs, unless you're Master P, Silkk, Mystikal or C-Murder. I can count seven really impressive songs that I consistently found myself skipping to. The best of the bunch, "Do You Wanna Ride" has dance track written all over it. If this song ever gets released into mainstream, it will eat it up. It would be ashame if Mercedes let the opportunity slide. "You're The Only One" could be the best No Limit R&B song ever. It has summer sweetheart jam written all over it. A great R&B beat with a scintillating chorus. "Pussy" is the song for the boyz. A take off of Westside Connection's "Gangsta's Make The World Go Round", this song is just good until Mercedes slides her lyrics in after a couple minutes of Ghetto Commission. "Free Game" and "I Can Tell" are both upbeat R&B song with really catchy choruses.

In hip hop terms, 'Mercedes done good wit dis album.' For what I expected from "Rear End", I got so much more. Her dynamic ability to produce music spanning the realm of hip hop and R&B will bring her success. It would seem at times that there are too many featured artists, but this works to Mercedes advantage, for she is the type of artist who thrives on that. If you're a No Limit fan, then this is a must get album. If you like female rappers, then this is also a must get album. If you're in the record store looking for a good mix of rap and R&B, then you might wanna give this album a thought. Like me, You might even find yourself having trouble letting it go when you get your next album.

www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)

This review was written July 27, 1999