Kids. Sometimes they have to find their way opposed to following (or not) the path paved from the ones who came before them. If you’re 20-year old Antoine McColister, chances are you were influenced by the rappers who dreamed big and molded your style after theirs, while completely missing the part about individuality. As part of Def Jam’s burgeoning future as well as a joint venture with mentor DJ Khaled’s We The Best music imprint, young Antoine is now Ace Hood as he attempts prove he’s a worthy competitor with his debut album Gutta. Problem is, his initial outing is marred with the obvious detail that he was allowed enough rope to which to hang choke himself with, in turn, manufacturing new product with old labels on it.

Ironically, Gutta’s strongest inconsistency is its consistency. Sporting the usual balderdash associated with a Khaled release such as horribly executed choruses (“Ghetto,”) and a sheer abundance of wannabe anthems, the fact that the young’n regurgitates the same verses on every song makes for tepid tales from the hood. On the Akon featured “Can’t Stop,” Ace fills his bars with fluff like “When it comes to money/you know it ain’t nothing/blow it all on jewels…” which is essentially the same material plastered through the first single “Cash Flow.” And the obligatory R&B cuts “Ride” and “Call Me” are fraternal twins with Trey Songz and Lloyd being the only distinction, respectively.

Ace Hood’s biggest asset is his fiery delivery and for the most part it gets him by. Motor mouthed with the Hemi to match, Hood blazes through feverish production on “Get Him” and the boisterous “Money Over Here” with commendable intensity. But while these moments stand as his bread & butter, they ultimately grow stale as the “money, cash, hoes” train runs out of steam due to redundancy. Incidentally, the album’s most cohesive track is the nerve-racking hymnal “Stressin” which co-stars the mayor of ignorance Plies.

Even with his rabid rhyme ability, Ace Hood’s generic sensibilities and turbulent song structures overshadow the potential he holds as by album’s end, there’s still no clear definition on who he truly is.  Kids will be kids and in youth, there’s mistakes to be made, but more than likely Ace Hood will bounce back for the second round. As for this bout, it may have traces of the hood, but it’s still the same street, different Gutta.

2.5 CIGARETTES

Listen – Ace Hood Feat. Flo Rida – Face Good (iTunes Bonus Track)

Previously Posted — “Red Light” – Review Of DJ Khaled’s We Global