A Florida rapper discovered by DJ Khaled, Ace Hood hit the scene in 2008 with his debut album, Gutta, followed by Ruthless and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Best known for his hit single "Hustle Hard," he returns here with Trials & Tribulations, which he calls his most focused and autobiographical work to date. On the title track he gripes about various stresses (mom dying, daughter gone, bill collectors, no AC) while the eerie "Another Statistic" finds him trying to escape the Section 8/food stamps/no-hope inner-city lifestyle. Party and highlife jams come in the form of "We Them N*ggas," "We Outchea," and the club anthem "Bugatti," while he gets plenty of help from homies like Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Future, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa, T.I., and more. The production is as slick as it comes, with epic synths, glutinous bass drops, and snappy drums galore, while Ace's highly personal wordplay shows a lyrical depth that comes as a welcome surprise.