Romeoland

by David JeffriesWhile New No Limit seems unable to recapture the excitement of the old days with their more gangsta releases, Master P and his label hit pay dirt every time they release something (CD, single, television show) by Lil' Romeo. As executive producer, Master P seems to be giving Lil' Romeo (his son if you aren't hip) the most attention and care out of any the New No Limit artists, and Romeoland is nothing if not well crafted. It's an inoffensive kids album for sure, but at 14 tracks it's not overstuffed and the bright beats are definitely fresh. You can thank producers Myke Diesel and Nick Cannon for that. They are two of New No Limit's brightest talents and the men behind all of Romeoland's highlights. Cannon's high point is the bubbly single "My Cinderella," which coolly interpolates Shai's "If I Ever Fall in Love." Diesel's "My Girlfriend" is the catchiest number on the album with a hooky call-and-response chorus that won't be leaving your head anytime soon. Lil' Romeo is a confident rapper with just enough bravado and just enough charisma. No hardcore thug is waiting for his next innocent album, but there's a good chance his or her kids are. It's rare that the eight-year-old set and their parents can agree on an album, but Romeoland ends up being not only tolerable for parents, but actually enjoyable. That's rare in any genre, let alone the thuggish world of rap. Chalk it up to the talents of Master P, Diesel, and Cannon, but mostly Romeo, just about the flyest guy under five feet.