Custom Cars & Cycles

by David JeffriesIntroduced to the world as guest stars on Rick Ross' chart-topping album Port of Miami, Triple C's -- or Carol City Cartel -- are actually the group Ross used to run with before he went solo. Released on Def Jam through Ross' Maybach Music Group, Custom Cars & Cycles is payback as the Miami Don reunites with members Gunplay, Torch, and Young Breed. Just like the cover photograph, Ross is front and center on the album. Add a guest list that goes from Bun B to Young Jeezy and it's just too crowded for the group to make a proper debut, but then again, the trio's everyday rhymes don't suggest they could offer much more. What they do offer, with Ross on the assist, is a steady stream of simple yet effective tracks that thug, swagger, and push yayo the Miami way -- that is, with plenty of polish and heat. While "Go" is the single to start with, "Gangsta Sh*t" is the meatier street track and an incredibly G-funk one at that, thanks to special guest the Game plus a Baron "B-Rock" Agee production that borrows a bit of Dr. Dre's "Prelude" from N.W.A.'s Niggaz4life album. "Trickn Off" with Gucci Mane and Drumma Boy on production comes in third, with "Chickn Talkn" and "Break It Down" tying for fourth. You can blame executive producer Ross for the personality of Triple C's getting lost in the shuffle, but you can blame him for the numerous highlights too, and thank him for the weekend or two that Custom Cars & Cycles rocks your world.