I may not be big on mainstream albums because I mainly listen to under the radar stuff, but I gotta say, Ludacris is a dope MC. This dude can flow relentlessly over those bouncy beats. His one liners make u laugh so hard it will hurt ya stomach! He can get hard core and hot headed in tracks like "Catch Up" "1st And 10," but he still throws in funny lines like "Did I do dat, or was it Mystikal and Urkel?"!! He even calls himself "Slick D--- the Ruler, women in need!" He can get raunchy like that, but no matter what, his delivery is hilarious!! I luv "Southern Hospality;" I first didn't like it when I heard it in 2000, but I warmed up to it and rocked it constantly. It is fun and bouny over a Neptunes scorcher beat. Do I think it is a classic? Yes, Ludacris is what the hip hop industry needs, some well-deserved humor. His non-stop flows with his homies from DTP put it down 4 ATL. Nice production, sick flows and funny rhymes!!!

`Back for the First Time' is one of the greatest moments in rap music for it marked the beginning of the career that is Ludacris. Luda is one of the only rappers I can never get enough of. Everything he touches is golden, and his debut (at least debut on a major label) is no exception. With the highly successful hit `What's Your Fantasy' Luda established a following right out the bank, but `Back for the First Time' is no mere one trick pony.

With great tracks like `Stick `Em Up', the ever popular `Ho' and `Southern Hospitality' Luda has delivered a solid effort that surpasses most rappers third or fourth albums. He's as refined and confident as someone who's been in the game for years and has flow that can rival some of the greatest. Plus, the pairing of Ludacris and Timbaland on the brilliant (and my personal favorite) `Phat Rabbit' was sheer genius. Ludacris is a house hold name at this point, but remembering where he started helps us appreciate this lyrical genius even more!

Awesome CD and its a great start. To me not his strongest but hey, its his first CD. The CD progresses perfectly and shows him to be strong lyrically and bringing the heat and also the ho's.

Ludacris is big into the ho's. Over time he has let the whole Ho thing slowly fade away. I think thats a plus because it shows him to be a respectable artists instead of putting down women. Especially with his new cd where he brings props to women and his Mom.

If you wanna grab this I suggest it because you can see where Ludacris came from. He has gotten more creative beats and gotten better at being...well just Luda.

After bursting out in the scene with his debut single, "What's Your Fantasy", Ludacris brings new hope to the south. With his sinister voice along with his catchy punchlines and lyrics, he is out to prove why he was the first rapper signed to Def Jam South.

1. U Got a Problem? - 4/5

2. Game Got Switched - 4.5/5

3. 1st and 10 (Featuring I-20 & Lil' Fate) - 4/5

4. What's Your Fantasy (Featuring Shawnna) - 4.5/5

5. Come on Over (Skit) - No Rating

6. Hood Stuck - 3.5/5

7. Get Off Me (Featuring Pastor Troy) - 3/5

8. Mouthing Off (Featuring 4-Ize) - 4/5

9. Stick 'Em Up (Featuring UGK) - 4.5/5

10. H* (Skit) - No Rating

11. H* - 4.5/5

12. Tickets Sold Out (Skit) - No Rating

13. Catch Up (Featuring I-20 & Lil' Fate) - 4.5/5

14. Southern Hospitality (Featuring Pharrell) - 5/5

15. What's Your Fantasy [Remix] (Featuring Trina, Shawnna & Foxy Brown) - 4.5/5

16. Phat Rabbit - 4.5/5

Overall:

55/65

4 Stars

Ludacris definitely delivers a hot debut. His lyrics are straight fire and he got a great style and voice to grab listener's attention. Theres only a couple tracks that should have been left off but the rest of the album is great.

a damn good album. luda is a lyrical king.

best tracks:

you got a problem (fast, very luda)
game got switched
ho (tight)
southern hospitality (so good...)
mouthing off
stick em up (real good beat)

Im sorry but Ludacris is HANDS DOWN THE BEST ARTIST IN RAP... he is so original and sexy and he is the ONE KING OF THE SOUTH!

only brain dead ldiots or 13 year old girls can find this garbage apealing. listen to some quality old school hip hop like BDP, PE, Rakim instead of this hip Pop drivvle.

Ludas sick as h*ll. Go pick this up

it sucks, plain and simple

Ludacris,dog you got a lot of tight ass flow with Pat Ribbit,What's ya Fanstany,and your new single"You a hoe".Is tight keep bust out your bad ass flows.And I like your new album that come out later.

love the hair