21 and Up

Lil' Ru | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B002C39TQE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,517 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, August 26, 2009

By 

Enlightened "Both Eyes Closed, see what u don... (Atlanta Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 21 and Up (Audio CD)

After being introduced to Lil Ru last year on the underground chitlin circuit with his smash hit Nasty Song, I admit the song had me anticipating more from him. Nasty Song is a hypnotic banger with plenty of style and personality. I literally stan for that song lol. So news that Lil Ru had signed a deal with Def Jam had me with high hopes for the young rapper hailing from South Carolina. The next song I heard from him was Yeah That's Money ft. Rick Ross which of course was a banger. Two Zune(Ipod) worthy songs increased anticipation.


Lil Ru's 21&Up is finally here and it's a very disappointing record to say the least. Lil Ru TPain's it up a little too much for me (despite what JayZ says there is no death of autotune). I'm all for using autotune (or the vocoder or whatever) it's just that it doesn't work for Lil Ru. Also Lil Ru uses different voices on some songs and makes you think other artists are featured. It's kind of weird to describe but a song with just Lil Ru on it may sound like it's three different artists. He'll have a gruff voice on one verse, a regular voice on the next verse and then he will TPain on the hook(but not TPain). It's frustrating to listen to. The production is run of the mill...there's a few bangers but sonically there's nothing unique about it and Lil Ru isn't exactly Andre 3000 on the mic.


Lil Ru tries to establish an identity on this album but it just doesn't work out as expected. There's a few songs worth repeated listens mainly Nasty Song, Yeah That's Money ft. Rick Ross, Give It Up and Problems but the rest while not terrible or unlistenable lack a certain pizazz that most major artists seem to have. Weak production, less than outstanding rhymes and hooks (although passable), and lack of a unique personality hold this album back. The album is just alright. However, It is good that South Carolina finally gets on the map as far as major hip hop artists are concerned and he could potentially open the door for SC's underground circuit but I'd be lying if I said I was looking forward to Lil Ru's next release. 2 stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good..was skeptical at 1st, September 20, 2010

By 

Anthony C. Strickland, Jr. "Anthony S." (Clinton, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 21 and Up (Audio CD)

I heard "the Nasty Song" from this album so long ago, but I did not ever think of actually buying the album. I came here previewed the songs and decided to buy it. I am happy with it, my favorite song on it is still "The nasty song" though. I was looking for an edited version, but could not find it.