The question people have been asking is ''With the retirement of Jay-Z, who will step up & keep Roc-A-Fella from ending up like Bad Boy?'' Many thought that Memphis Bleek was the heir apparent but he just hasn't caught fire like some expected [myself included]. But I think any questions on the future of the Roc can be put to rest. Right now all eyes [and ears] should be on Beanie Sigel.

For those who don't know, it wasn't until Jay-Z's third album that he really exploded. Hard Knock Life, argueably, put Jay-Z on the map. So why should it be any different for Bean's. With his 3rd album The B. Coming Beanie Sigel just may follow the same path as Jay-Z.

Yeah, I know we're only 3 months into the year but this album, so far, is the best hiphop album of the year [Yeah even better than 50's joint]. Now I've said it before & I'll say it again, an artists greatest work comes from there suffering. Bean's going through all kinds of legal troubles may have helped him to create his best album to date. For the most part he has something to say lyrically with tracks about his state of mind, the hard times, the not so hard times & women troubles. He also manages to still bring the heat on a couple of tracks.

There are several guest appearances, like Snoop, Redman, Twista, Peedi Crakk, Young Chris, Bun-B, Rell Freeway & Jay-Z. Fortunately none of the artists really out perform Bean's on the tracks with the exception of maybe Freeway on ''I Can't Go On This Way'' & Sadat X & Grand Puba on ''Bread & Butter''.
Producers include the expected Just Blaze & you know there had to be a Neptunes track [who doesn't have 1 nowadays]. But there are also tracks produced by Heavy D, Buckwild & DJ Scratch as well as several others you probably never heard of. Overall, production is excellent with some really old school samples that make this album feel more like the score to a movie.

Here is where I usually say who should get this album & who shouldn't. Basically if you've made it this far, you should get this album. I am of a different school of thought when it comes to hiphop & must confess that i find it harder & harder to find albums I'm willing to spend my hard earned money on, but this is one album that's worth it.

SonicAmp Rating: 9/10