Definition of Real

Album Review

Not even a year had passed since his debut, but the second time around Florida rapper Plies displays great growth. His lyrics here are sharper than those on his debut with the trials, tribulations, and triumphs he's experienced living the street life coming through loud and clear. This journey isn't for the weak-hearted, however, as Plies is an unapologetic beast who — to paraphrase the frightening "Bushes" — didn't come for your money, but came for your life. "Bushes" is a vivid lesson on how to catch and gut a snitch that could only be written by someone made hard by prison. Even more vicious is "Ol' Lady"'s attitude toward women who, in this case, are commodities used to pay off outstanding loans in lieu of cash. This is guys' night out without any moral compass with one grand exception, "1 Day," a heartbreaking letter to a friend on lockup where Plies wishes he could take his incarcerated homie "by the day care to see his son play/And go to show him how his baby mama went astray." Despite its great Patti LaBelle sample, "Somebody (Loves You)" is less convincing and seems forced upon the album like the other radio-friendly tracks — "Bust It Baby, Pt. 2" with Ne-Yo, and "Please Excuse My Hands" with the Dream. The compelling three-quarters of Definition of Real that seems to have crawled out of the gutter proves that Plies is best off when he does it the ski-mask way.