Defsounds

Slim Thug first appeared on the rap scene with 2005's Already Platinum - which, despite the title, was only certified gold by the RIAA. What Slim should have done following his commercial failure was reorganize, re-strategize, and rearrange his formula and come back the second time around with something new and improved. However, it's only more of the same.

Lyrics - 4.0

Slim Thug has never been praised for his redeeming lyricism, and it shows. On almost every line is a boast about one of four things: his cars, his clothes, his women, or the streets of Houston. While those subjects have become acceptable material in hip-hop today, I feel you can only hear so much of it on one song before you begin to reach for the 'next' button. None of the songs here leave your head whirling from the wordplay, and you don't have the urge to play through it a few times just incase a punchline went over your head.

For example, "It's hot on my block, somebody turn the fan on/I've been paid, I'm just trying to turn my mans on/And gets my bread strong, streets miss me when I'm gone/ I put on for my city like Jeezy's song," he spits on "I Run," the album's lead single.

Mediocre lines and repetitive subject matter really weigh the album down.

Production - 6.0

Unlike his debut, which featured big-name production from the likes of The Neptunes, Jazze Pha, and Cool & Dre, Thugga sticks to in-house producer Mr. Lee, who produced seven of the thirteen tracks. Veteran producer Mannie Fresh also makes a rare appearance on "Show Me Love," not only producing the record but rapping on the hook.

The production on this album is complimentary to Slim Thug's laid-back baritone flow. Synthesizers and the bass that you can only find down South sum up the majority of the album, with some occasional instruments popping in out every so often. However, as with the lyrics, it can get predictable. Perhaps this falls on Mr. Lee rather than Slim Thug, though. The production could definitely benefit from a makeover, but it's nothing too serious.

Songs - 5.0

As aforementioned, the topics only cover so many things. Slim tries his hand at a dedication track, "My Bitch," and ends up looking disrespectful rather than loving. The guests on the album truely outshine Slim Thug - Southern vets like Devin The Dude, Scarface, and Chamillionaire all make cameos, whether it be on a chorus ("I'm Back"), or a verse ("Hard,").

The highlight of Boss Of All Bosses is "Top Drop," which features fellow southerner Paul Wall. The hook consists of a chopped-and-screwed Paul Wall, while Slim narrates a ride through Houston over a scratchy soul sample. Once again, though, Paul Wall outshines Slim with his one verse.

Overall - 5.0

We can all applaud Slim Thug for managing to stay somewhat relevant in this hip-hop game, but this album is a disappointment. Slim Thug definitely has the potential to create something worth your time, but he tends to stick with the proven formula time and time again. If Slim can up the ante and find some diversity within his lyrics, maybe he could become one of the big names in hip-hop. You know what they say, Thugga - third time's the charm.